Congratulations to Steve McCabe, longtime faculty member and track and field head coach, who was recently named the 2024 Archibald A. Smith III Award winner. The award is given on an annual basis, as warranted, to a coach for lifetime achievement and commitment to the Founders League ideals of educational excellence, sportsmanship, and outstanding competition. One of two awards given by the Founders League, the Archibald A. Smith III Award was established in 2015 to honor long-time Head of Trinity-Pawling School Arch Smith upon his retirement. Arch began his career at Trinity-Pawling in 1975 as a teacher of chemistry and physics. During his transformative forty-year tenure, he went on to serve as Director of College Placement, Assistant, Headmaster, and ultimately, Headmaster from 1990-2015.

“For more than four decades, Steve has served in a variety of positions at Taft; head and assistant varsity football coach, assistant varsity hockey coach, and head track coach. On the field, Steve’s presence was equally felt. As head coach for the boys’ and girls’ track and field teams, he not only produced champions but also cultivated a sense of community and camaraderie among his athletes. His ability to unite individuals from diverse backgrounds under a common goal exemplifies the transformative power of athletics in a boarding school setting,” notes Taft Head of School Peter Becker ’95. “Beyond his roles as teacher and coach, Steve embodies the values of sportsmanship and integrity that define the Founders League. His unwavering belief in the potential of every student and his commitment to nurturing their growth as scholars, athletes, and individuals have left an indelible mark on our community.”