Hackley Coach Leaves Her Mark Beyond Wins and Titles

Granddaughter of Latin legend creates her own special legacy

By Rick Pezzullo, Hudson Independent

Her legendary grandfather, Tito Puente, was known as “The King of Latin Music” during a stellar 50-year career where he is best remembered for his Latin jazz and mambo sounds.

While Julianne Puente has inherited some of her grandfather’s musical talents on the drums and guitar, she has made a name for herself in many ways at Hackley School in Tarrytown, most notably as a highly successful girls softball and soccer coach.

“I have been very fortunate to have super talented players in softball and soccer. We’re a very small school but we can compete with everyone. I think we get the most out of our teams,” Puente said. “Kids at Hackley are smart. It makes it a lot more fun to coach.”

A 1991 graduate of Hackley, where she lettered 12 times in softball, soccer and basketball, Puente returned to her alma matter in 1995 after graduating from Cornell University, where she started on the softball team as a walk-on player.

She has been the Hackley softball coach ever since, winning three Ivy League and one state championship along the way. In soccer, which she has only coached since 2006, her teams have compiled dominating records of 16-1-1, 17-0 and 15-3-2, while winning three Ivy League and two state titles.

“As a coach, her success has been made possible by her commitment to her players and her own hard work in strengthening her knowledge of the games she coaches,” said Walter C. Johnson, headmaster at Hackley. “She sets an example for her players by her own personal professional development. They aspire to work as hard as she does. Also, though no one is more competitive than Julianne, her priority is always the values she teaches.”

Describing herself as a “hard-nosed” player who made the most of her ability, it’s easy to see how Puente has excelled as a coach since she played the leadership positions on her teams: goalie in soccer, shortstop in softball and point guard in basketball.

“I was never flashy. I practiced a lot,” she said. “I was always the kid that sat next to the coach when my team was batting. I loved to talk about the game. I love strategy and the tactical aspects of the game. I’ve always been a student of the game.”

Puente, who grew up in Yonkers and aspired to be a lawyer before “my life took a big turn and I never look back,” said she has adjusted her style of coaching over the years.

“Your philosophy has to adapt to your personnel. I used to be all about defense,” she said. “I do demand a lot from them. I have a really solid relationship with my players. I ask a lot and they give a lot in return. It is more than just a coach and players relationship. Anyone who really knows me knows I am a person of principle. I am much more concerned about how we play and how we conduct ourselves.”

She said her grandfather, who died May 31, 2000, wasn’t aware of her passion for sports. “I don’t think he knew how important sports were or are to me,” she said. “I was really close to him. I miss him very much. He was larger than life. He was the king of cool. There was nothing about him that wasn’t fun. I certainly got my love of music from him and my dad.”

Besides coaching at Hackley, Puente has worn many other hats as boarding associate, assistant college counselor, associate director of admissions, eighth grade dean and history teacher. However, this school year will be her last at Hackley as she has accepted a position as deputy headmaster in a new school near Amman, Jordan. Besides overseeing all aspects of student life, Puente will be establishing the first athletic league/conference in that area.

“I have a chance to help build a school from scratch. It will be an amazing adventure,” she said. “I feel Hackley has prepared me to lead this school at this particular point in my life. I’m anxious to see what the experience will be like.”

As excited as Puente is to tackle the challenge, she said she will miss coaching at Hackley, especially the preseason and “the excitement of coming back.” “I don’t think that will be replicated in Jordan,” she said. “I will miss coaching. It will be very hard. I feel like a (high school) senior. I say this is the last first practice and this is the last time we’ll play this team. It’s been so much a part of my life.”

She said she will also miss living in the Village of Tarrytown and shopping in the downtown. “This is my home and will always be my home base even when I’m overseas,” she said. “It’s a wonderful community and I’m grateful for everything it has given me.”

How would she like her final season coaching on the diamond to play out? “This year our team is capable of having a Cinderella season,” Puente said. “My goal for us is I would really like to get to the finals. From there, anything can happen.”

Johnson said filling Puente’s shoes will be difficult. “Julianne is one of a kind. There’s no replacing her,” he said. “We are deeply grateful for her service and friendship.”

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