Meet the Coaches: Lori Pax - Volleyball

How long have you been coaching volleyball, including your time at Plainfield?

I started coaching basketball in 1995 and have been coaching Volleyball since 2010. I coached in Oklahoma and Texas, before moving to Indiana. I have been with Plainfield Volleyball for  3 years.

Why do you coach volleyball?

I coach volleyball for many reasons. I love the game. I played both beach and indoors and have always enjoyed every aspect of the sport. It’s truly just a fun sport to play and watch! There are so many options when it comes to coaching various offenses and defenses, so thinking outside of the box makes it both challenging and rewarding. Last, but certainly not least I love working with our athletes. Our goal as a coaching staff is to allow our athletes to grow in not only their volleyball, but life skills as well. We want them to be proud they played for PHS volleyball and want to come back to visit for years to come.

What has been your proudest or most memorable coaching moment?

I’ve had a lot of proud moments over the years. Winning Conference for the first time in 11 years our first season was pretty special. However, making it to the Sectional finals last year was really exciting . We had a tough season with quarantines and injuries, but we were able to bring it all together Sectional time. That team was the most resilient team I have ever coached. They bought in and we truly peaked at Sectional time, which was our goal. We came up short in a 4-set battle in the finals against a very good Brownsburg team….but we played the best we had ever played. Was really a great group of athletes to coach. 

What has support from the Red Pride Booster Club meant to your program?

The support from the Booster club is huge for our program. It allows us to get uniforms and equipment….and without those things it would be very hard to have a program. Scholarships are given as well, so the support from the Booster club continues for our athletes even once they graduate.  I’ve always been a Booster supporter even before I coached….it’s extremely important to support our athletic programs for these athletes, especially with the time commitment and hard work it takes to play at Plainfield. 

What does success look like for the volleyball team this season?

Success this season will all depend on the cohesiveness of our athletes. We have several returning from last year, and they are more driven this year having lost a heartbreaker in the Finals. We have a chance to be very, very good if we can bring it all together come Sectional time. With 4 returning starters, along with our newcomers we may surprise a lot of people. Our schedule is the hardest it’s ever been, so hopefully that will help us be prepared to compete at the highest level. You have to play the best to be the best! We are looking to get that Sectional Title for Plainfield….and hopefully advance further than any Plainfield volleyball team has ever gone!

Meet the Coaches: Keith Bradley - Boys Varsity Tennis

How long have you been coaching boys tennis, including your time at Plainfield?

15 years

Why do you coach boys tennis?

I love working with youth and teaching the game.

What has been your proudest or most memorable coaching moment?

Watching my son secure a Sectional Title for PHS

What has support from the Red Pride Booster Club meant to your program?

It gives us better uniforms and up-to-date equipment we would not have received without the Booster Club. 

What does success look like for the boys tennis team this season?

We are looking for a Conference & Sectional titles in 2022.

Meet the Coaches: Curt Benge - Girls Golf

 How long have you been coaching girls golf, including your time at Plainfield?

This is my 18th year coaching the girls golf team. 

Why do you coach girls golf?

I have always enjoyed the game of golf as a competitive outlet after my college basketball career ended.  When they decided to start the program years ago I wanted the opportunity to build my own program from scratch.  Then my girls got involved in the sport and it is just something my entire family has always enjoyed.  My dad and brothers and sister enjoy the game as well.

What has been your proudest or most memorable coaching moment?

Watching my oldest daughter Kayla win the 2017 Individual State Championship and become the state's mental attitude award winner is my proudest moment.  But a close second would be winning the team Sectional Championship last season.  It is the first in school history and to win our sectional is a major accomplishment.  Almost like winning a state championship.  Our sectional and regional is so difficult.  

What has support from the Red Pride Booster Club meant to your program?

For sports like golf, that are not revenue producing sports, the support of the Red Pride Booster Club is critical.  We would not have a program and these girls would not have the opportunities they have without the dedication and financial backing of the Red Pride Booster Club.  

What does success look like for the girls golf team this season?

We have some talented individual players, but the goal would be to try and win another sectional championship.  It will be difficult, but possible.

Meet the Coaches: Joseph Hoffman - Cross Country

How long have you been coaching cross country, including your time at Plainfield?

This is my 11th year teaching and coaching at Plainfield. Two as an assistant and ninth as head coach. 

Why do you coach cross country?

I coach CC because over the past 20 years I have developed a love for distance running, and I enjoy helping young people learn the sport. 

What has been your proudest or most memorable coaching moment?

To date my proudest moment is the 2015 girls team winning the sectional. 

What has support from the Red Pride Booster Club meant to your program?

The RPBC has been an outstanding resource for cross country. Their financial support has outfitted us with new uniforms, new warm-up gear, and a new tent. 

What does success look like for the cross country team this season?

Success for both cross country teams this year looks like students investing in their training and competing to the best of their ability as we get into the championship season late September and through October.

Meet the Coaches: Breanna Bowling - Cheerleading

How long have you been coaching cheerleading, including your time at Plainfield?

I will be going into my 4th year of coaching cheerleading at the High School level. This is my first year coaching at Plainfield High School!

Why do you coach cheerleading?

My reason for coaching cheerleading extends way beyond teaching my cheerleaders skills, cheers and technique. I coach cheerleading because I love forming relationships with my athletes and being able to provide a safe, loving, and encouraging environment for all who are a part of the program. 

What has been your proudest or most memorable coaching moment?

My proudest coaching moment would be placing 1st in the Large Varsity division at the 2022 State Fair! This is my first year coaching at Plainfield, so being able to start off my first year with a state win was a HUGE moment for myself, as well as our program! We competed at 3 different county competitions this summer and being able to end our summer competitions with a 1st place win was amazing for all!

What has support from the Red Pride Booster Club meant to your program?

The Red Pride Booster Club has always been a large part of any student's athletic career. I graduated from Plainfield High School and the Red Pride Booster Club was able to provide so much for the cheer team, as well as scholarships for athletes. As a coach, their support for the athletic programs is amazing! They are able to provide financial support, as well as encouragement and recognition for all!

What does success look like for the cheerleading team this season?

This season, our main goal is to take everything to the next level. Success for me is not defined by placement, but my progression. We may not get another 1st place state title, but as long as we put forth all of our efforts and strive to take things to the next level, that is success. We want to place higher emphasis on academic success and push our student athletes to put school above all else. Overall, success for the cheerleading team is measured by effort, not by placement and as long as we strive for the next level, our program will be successful.

Meet the Coaches: Brian Woodard - Varsity Football

How long have you been coaching football, including your time at Plainfield? 

This is my 27th year overall, 26th at PHS, 17th as a head coach. 

Why do you coach football? 

That's a really tough question to answer due to how many things I would love to talk about :-) That being said, I love the opportunity to work with young people and watch them grow up and improve both on and off the field. Finally, I very much enjoy being a part of a team and the camaraderie shared amongst the coaches on staff. 

What has been your proudest or most memorable coaching moment? 

Getting to coach my son, Blake Woodard. Watching him grow up in our football program has been truly special and I could not be more proud of the role that it (the program) has played in helping him become the young man he is today.  

What has support from the Red Pride Booster Club meant to your program? 

It has been immense. I know that without the RPBC's involvement and financial support that we would not be able to have the things we do. We simply could not function as an athletic department as a whole without them. 

What does success look like for the football team this season? 

I want this team to play to their ability. The scoreboard or win/loss column is the ultimate measure I suppose, but for me just knowing that we put the effort into earning the chance to win every game is what I look for in how I measure success.