How athletics progressed over the years
Dating back to 1970, the DBHS athletics have come a long way since then, improving every year.
The school athletic department has done an outstanding job getting sports worked on. The equipment has changed drastically because necessities have evolved.
“During my freshman and junior year, our equipment was usable but not in the best condition. The court was very slippery and difficult to play on, but we made it work,” volleyball captain Nolan Debrocq said. Now, the court is waxed and has brand-new equipment. “We have everything we need to be successful this year,” Debrocq said.
The coaches are another significant aspect of the success of our athletic program.
“Something that’s stuck with me is when Coach Tozzi let me know he saw the most potential he had seen in a very long time in me, despite having less than a year of experience,” DBHS cross country and softball player Thania Geffrard said.
Coach Tozzi, former athletic director, has been at Deerfield since 1996. His coaching goal is to leave a lasting impact on the players.
“I hope I left it better than when I got here,” Tozzi said.
When asked about the highlight of his coaching career, he said, “Normally you would name wins, but the one that stands out the most is when a kid comes back to see you and tells you how much they appreciate you.”
This is saying a lot considering DBHS has had a tremendous amount of kids go on to play professional baseball, football, and basketball. The school has had multiple championships in baseball and football, and a streak with four district wins for football.
However, nothing is perfect, and there are always improvements that can be made.
“One thing I’d change is the difference between female and male sports. I know this is bigger than Deerfield, and it’s a problem even at a professional league level. I think a good place to start would be prioritizing equality between softball and baseball at school,” DBHS senior Thania Geffrard said.
“I would like to speak to all Deerfield Beach High Students, especially freshmen. Just put yourself out there, no matter your experience. You have a shot of being greater than you think you can be,” DBHS senior volleyball player, Mellissa Labadessa said.
The DBHS athletics has constantly evolved since the beginning of the buck pride and continues to improve every year.
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