Whittier’s Coach Boland Chalks up 300th Win

Joe Boland has been coaching the varsity boys baseball team at Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School for 25 years. (Courtesy photograph)

Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School baseball coach Joe Boland. (Courtesy photograph)

Joe Boland, coach of Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School baseball team, celebrated a special win last week when the Wildcats beat the Reggies from Greater Lawrence Technical High School 1-0.

The shutout game was Boland’s 300th win after 25 years as the varsity boys baseball team coach and 34 years with Whittier Tech.

Lefty Will Carpenter, a senior from Merrimac, led the charge with 17 strikeouts and two hits.

“Will was dominant, he pitched a gem today,” Boland said. “I’m glad Will was on the hill for the 300th.”

A Haverhill resident, Boland has always had an interest in sports, particularly baseball and basketball. He took on coaching the varsity baseball team after seven years coaching the basketball team.

Under Boland’s leadership, the Wildcats have won (or shared) 15 Commonwealth Athletic Conference league championships and won two Division 3 North championships.

His greatest accomplishment, however, isn’t about the number of wins he tallied up. It’s the students he’s worked with over the years.

“Everyone always talks about the wins, but sometimes the losses are as big as the wins. They’re more difficult, but you learn a lot,” Boland said. “I’ve had some exceptional ball players that have made this job really rewarding. I hope that I’ve been able to make a positive impact on their lives as well.”

Boland’s mother and father were both educators. His dad began his teaching career at the former Haverhill Trade School and later served as a Whittier Tech guidance director. Following his dad’s footsteps, Boland easily found his niche in the same profession.

After his stint at Whittier Tech, Boland will retire from his position as guidance counselor at the end of the school year. He plans to stay on as head coach of the baseball team.

“I’m not retiring from baseball,” Boland said. “I’m looking forward to the next challenge.”