For the first time in over three decades, the field hockey season will begin without Pat Toner on the sidelines.
Toner retired as the head coach of Central Bucks South, where she guided the Titans since 2016.
She began her career as a varsity head coach at Council Rock in 1987, where she guided the Indians to the PIAA Class 3A title in 1993 as well as three consecutive District One crowns in 1993-95.
“That was certainly a career highlight for me,” she said. “But honestly for me, the highlight was always the kids. It was never about the wins and losses. It was seeing a kid understand the game and make it to college and succeed. I’ve had numerous kids play at higher levels and that was always exciting for me.”
When Council Rock split into two high schools in the fall of 2002, Toner went to the new school, Council Rock South, where she led the Golden Hawks to the Suburban One League title in their inaugural year, the first league championship for the new school.
Toner also established the girls lacrosse program at Council Rock, and coached the sport at CR South.
“One year we were seeded last in the district tournament and we beat Boyertown, 7-6, on their field,” she said. “That was a very satisfying win.”
“I actually haven’t had a preseason off since 1987, so it’s been very different for me, but in a good way,” said Toner, who racked up almost 200 victories as the head coach at Holland Junior High before moving up to Council Rock.
“I’ve been playing a lot of golf and spending time with my grandchildren and enjoying my house at the shore, so I’m finally getting a chance to do things that I never had time to do when I was coaching. I thought I wasn’t going to know what to do with my time but I’ve really been very busy.”
Toner taught health and physical education in the Council Rock School District, retiring in 2012. Her son, Dan, is the baseball coach at Neshaminy.
“I’m having fun going to his games,” she said. “I’ll also go to see some of CB South’s games. I’ll stay in touch. The team is in very good hands.”
Those hands belong to Kelli Chioffe, who had previously been the junior varsity coach for the Titans. Chioffe, nee McGlynn, was a standout at Neshaminy, graduating in 1987 and playing for another area field hockey legend, Sheila Murphy.
This is her first varsity head coaching position. Her daughter, Erin, played for Toner at CB South.
“That was how I got to know Pat, and she asked me to help them out,” said Chioffe, who is an educational assistant working with students with autism at Central Bucks East. “I waited for my daughter to graduate in 2017 and then I came on board.
“The girls are a great bunch. We have some young talent. We have a bunch of sophomores who are good. We don’t have a lot of seniors, but I think we’re going to do all right. The girls seem excited and ready to play and we’ll be continuing some of the traditions that Pat started.”
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