Who Is: Coach Clough

 By JOEL ACQUAH.

Have you ever met a coach so serious about sports that he teaches sports aswell? Here at Washingtonville, there's one special man who juggles teaching, and being a coach.

Coach Clough is an accomplished teacher and coach, who inspires students through his dedication to sports and education. His involvement in athletics began early, participating in baseball, basketball, and football during his youth, with a particular emphasis on baseball.

Although a back injury in his junior year of high school ended his athletic career, his enthusiasm for sports persisted. “I played until sophomore year, then broke my back in junior year of high school.” He also shares, “I played baseball, basketball, and football, but my main sport was baseball.”Losing the opportunity to play only strengthened Mr. Clough’s commitment to stay involved with athletics. He found fulfillment in helping others pursue their own sports dreams. He reflects, “Playing and losing the chance to play allowed me to be around the sport and the people who wanted to play as much as I do." Since then, Mr. Clough has coached both modified and varsity baseball, boys’ and girls’ modified basketball teams, the freshman basketball team, and modified and JV football. His wide range of coaching experiences has allowed him to guide athletes at high school, and college skill levels and ages.

Beyond the field, Mr. Clough brings his passion for sports into the classroom. He teaches an elective called America Through Sports for 11th and 12th graders. In this class, students explore the history of American sports and their profound impact on society. The curriculum also encourages creativity through blogs and podcasts on a variety of sports topics. “I took a class in college and modeled my class after that,” he says. “On top of that, I always had a passion for teaching sports and history.”

Mr. Clough’s encouragement extends outside his classroom and teams. He reached out to current BGTV Editor in Chief, Caitlyn Coffey, inspiring her to create her website, Overtime Diaries. "She is a phenomenal writer and student, who has a genuine passion for sports; her and Gianna Lambousis,” he proudly explains. For Mr. Clough, coaching is much more than winning games. “I think, especially being a high school coach, it’s really important to help develop my athletes from a technical and mental perspective,” he says. His advice to current and future coaches is rooted in holistic development, aiming to shape well-rounded athletes who are prepared for challenges both on and off the field.

Mr. Clough’s story is a testament to resilience and the power of mentorship. Whether on the court, the field, or in the classroom, he continues to make a lasting impact on the next generation of athletes and leaders.