HKHS Retires Ness' Field Hockey Jersey

For the first time in the history of athletics at Haddam-Killingworth High School a jersey worn by a former athlete and coach has been retired. The number "4" jersey of field hockey star Carrie Ness will hang in perpetuity in the high school field house following an eloquent ceremony at the fieldhouse recently.

Ness passed away at the age of 28 in December after a courageous battle with cancer. The Killingworth woman was a stand-out field hockey player at HKHS and at Radford College in Virginia. Following graduation she returned to her hometown and devoted herself to the middle and high school field hockey programs by becoming the coach of the middle school team, a summer camp coach and assistant coach to the high school team. At HKHS, Ness earned All-State and All-Shoreline honors in 2000.

Her retired jersey, a classic yellow polo that the team wore at the time she played, hangs in a shadow box below the banners honoring the high school field hockey team's accomplishments over the years. Below the shadow box is a plaque noting Ness's contributions to the high school team and program.

"Carrie was passionate about field hockey and did everything possible to promote the sport she loved," said HKHS field hockey coach Patsy Kamercia, who organized the jersey retirement ceremony.

"Carrie continued to be passionate and do things for field hockey for her whole short life."

"Carrie would have loved this," said her mother Kathy about the ceremony.

"These young women here today are a product of Carrie and she was very proud of them all," she said about the members of the field hockey team and those Ness had coached.

High school senior Jesse Eberl sang "You Raise Me Up" during the ceremony, a performance accompanied by high school music teacher Marcy Webster. Attendees included Ness's parents, Kathy and Ken Ness, former teachers, coaches, friends, as well as former and current members of the field hockey team. Students in the high school food service program made and decorated cupcakes with a number "4" for the reception.

"I remember Carrie as bright, bubbly and enthusiastic," said HKHS Principal Charlie Macunas, who noted that there is a photo in his home with Carrie and his son on the night that they were going to attend the 8th grade graduation dance. "There she is with that big smile that she always had.

"It's fitting that we honor Carrie in this way because she gave so much of herself back to the school. She is proof that 'once a Cougar, always a Cougar'," Macunas added.

Former assistant field hockey coach Wendy Adamczyk recalled Ness's playing days on the field where she was lightning fast and versatile - attributes that eventually earned her All-Shoreline and All-State honors.

"That huge smile showed her personality inside and out," said Adamczyk.

"Her vivacious energy electrified the halls," recalled guidance counselor Larry Leone. "She was one of the most popular kids in the school but it never went to her head. I clearly remember the day she was called to the middle school to accept the position of field hockey coach and she just beamed that smile."

A Carrie Ness Field Hockey Scholarship has been established by the Care for Carrie group and her parents. The $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a HKHS field hockey player who is pursuing higher education and shows a commitment to field hockey.  The recipient will be chosen by the Care for Carrie committee and her parents.

Letters of application can be sent to PO Box 301, Haddam, CT 06438.  The deadline is May 15. Tax deductible contributions to the Carrie Ness Field Hockey Scholarship Fund are welcome and can be sent to the same address.