03/22/2021
Coach Doc Dougherty passed away March 18th. Coach Doug Dwyer wrote the following:
“Doc Dougherty - born on the streets of Yonkers to coaching the kids of 7th street Garden City. Blue collar meets white collar, whoever would have thought it could have become a perfect match. But no one could take 35 kids and put them together like a perfect puzzle better than Doc. Whether you were an All-American going to Princeton or the least skilled player on the team, he treated you all equally. You could be the coolest kid walking the halls of GC by day, but you had to check that ego in the locker-room before you came out onto his field for practice.
Doc was a guy’s guy—he could drink shots in a Gin Mill while playing pool with a bunch of Bikers or drink a Courvoisier in someone’s backyard on the numbered streets of GC.
If you saw Doc wearing his coaches’ hat with his whistle in his mouth, I hope you did not take him for a dumb jock. The man would read 2 books a week as thick as a phone book. Who could ever forget Docs famous vocabulary words where he would tell you it was going to be on your SAT Exam---and that SAT Word was usually a Prefix to get on the end line for some brutal running while telling you it would “BEHOOVE” you to not make the time.
Docs weekend every Saturday and Sunday practices although not loved by the players was greatly appreciated by their parents because that meant their little “Cherubs” would not be running the streets of GC to some ungodly hour-- for they would pay for it with the running they would be doing at 7am the next morning.
Doc coached his teams like a General, his tough practices bonded his teams like glue knowing you needed a fraternal bond to accomplish Docs Team goals. He would take you out of your comfort zone which made his players excel on game day... for game days were easy – it was his demanding practices that were rough. 11 County Titles 9 Long Island Titles and 4 State Championships along with 565 wins is outstanding but what he will be remembered most for is his passion to lead and winning just came along with it.
BJ Prager - HS All -American and College All-American told me a couple of years ago at a function he said “Coach I grew up in Garden City in a bubble, I went to Princeton where I was still in that bubble and no Guidance Counselor, Teacher, Mentor or Coach ever prepared me more for the real world than that guy over their as he pointed over at Coach Dougherty.”
Doc was always at his best at the All County, All-American selection meetings---at times I would argue with him and say, “ How did one of our players get All County or All-American when I thought there were a couple guys much better from other teams.” Docs answer would be if they can put up with what I put on their plate every day, then I am going to sell my soul for my guys to get what I can get for them. Doc was a fighter and always won those battles.
With success yes, there will always be critics – and in most cases it is the parent and not the kid. There is a great saying “Not everyone can grab the Brass ring on the Merry Go Round, but after all isn’t it just great to be on the Merry Go Round?” Believe me, these kids were more than glad to be on Docs Lacrosse Merry Go Round.
William “Doc” Dougherty a Cortland Graduate was also known for his Football Coaching talent on the College, Varsity and Junior Varsity levels. Many people have commented over the years that he was as good a Football Coach as he was a Lacrosse Coach.
Doc as I said was a well read and well-rounded guy. He could talk to you about Turbine Windmills or about the Ancient Vikings. Doc could come off harsh but had an uncanny wit. When it came down to the officials, Doc was not always the most cordial. In 2001, Doc won the Sportsmanship award given by the Nassau County lacrosse officials. Doc was shocked! He said to me, “Am I getting soft in my old age?” He had a look on his face as if we just lost in double overtime to Manhasset! On the evening of the officials annual dinner, Doc received his award. With microphone in hand, Doc told the officials to beware next year and bring your “A” Game for I will not be so nice, because there is no way I am ever winning this award again. PRICELESS!
PC and the Cancel Culture HAAA --would not have been able to take on the Doctor. For 34 years Doc took a page out of one of the Greatest Lacrosse Minds Ever... Frank Sinatra and did it his way. Whether it be Parent, Principal or AD, Doc did it his way in full control... doing what he thought was best for THE TEAM. With all the craziness today, Doc and I would talk, and he would say I coached 34 years at Garden City, if I started Today, I wouldn’t get 3 or 4, no less 34!
Well Doc I’m sure you are giving them Hell up there, just don’t give them too much and get kicked out.
You will be missed. I just wish you could have seen how many phone calls, texts and emails I got today with all your players telling me how you have impacted their lives.
Take Care Friend, Coach Dwyer”
There will be a celebration of Doc's life later this spring. More details to follow.
