The Envoy

David Horn sat down Wendy Montiel, star player of the women’s cross country team, and the women’s volleyball head coach Andrew Woolward on the Sept. 30 episode of “Hawk Athletics.” He talked with the coach and student on leadership tactics for their respective teams, measuring growth as athletes and their journey to their teams’ respective CUNYAC titles.

Andrew Woolward

Andrew Woolward is entering his fourth season as head coach of the women’s volleyball team, and tenth overall.

The Brooklyn College alumni, who hails from Guyana, is fresh off of two back to back CUNY championships, as well as several Coach of the Year awards under his belt. But Woolward is looking for more. 

Looking for his 3rd CUNY championship title in his four years as the head coach, Woolward reflected on his first season as head coach where the Hawks were unsuccessful in the first CUNY championship post-Covid, citing difficulties and “a lot of uncertainties.” 

“We focus on building a program, as opposed to building teams, which is why you see Hunter is either winning in the finals or losing in the finals,” Woolward said.

Woolward recalled their first trimatch of that season, where one of the team members suffered an injury, causing them to play with just six players. The Hawks ultimately went 13-14 on the season and fell short in the CUNYAC finals to Woolwards’ own alma mater, Brooklyn College. 

“I remember after we lost. That very night I went straight to the telephone, and I started making recruiting calls. I said to myself next year we will win,” Woolward said.

Their improvement was evident after winning the CUNY championship the next year and sweeping conference awards such as “Libero of the Year,” “Player of the year,” “Rookie of the year” and Woolward taking home his first “Coach of the Year.” The Hawks were once again, dominating the conference.

Woolward credits his very competitive schedule to what prepares the Hawks for the CUNYAC conference.

“That is done with intent, to really expose the team to tough competition so that when we make it to the NCAA tournament we’re not surprised by what’s out there,” he said.

Horn also asked Woolward about some of his coaching tactics that won him Coach of the Year.

“One of my philosophies of coaching is teaching values.. specifically confidence. When you go out into the world of work or in the classroom, and get hit with a hard question you can’t take a time out.. no you have to figure it out on the fly,” Woolward said. 

Even outside the game, Woolward carries decades worth of experience in aiding people to be their best. Previously, he worked as an occupational therapist for twenty years, where he helped people of all ages and backgrounds.

“Just like in volleyball you see freshmen come in, and when they leave as a senior you see the growth over those years. There’s a sense of immense happiness,” he said.

Reflecting on his experience as a CUNY athlete himself, Woolward spoke on his playing career, and induction into conference rival Brooklyn College’s Hall of Fame.

“That was one of the most humbling experiences of my life. When I got the phone call, I remembered exactly where I was and what I was doing,”  he said. 

Despite his extensive experience in the world of CUNY sports, Woolward never intended to coach, let alone become the head of multiple programs over the course of his coaching career.

Instead, he started off as what he assumed to be an assistant position at Brooklyn College, which turned into a head coach position just a week later when the former head coach suddenly resigned. This led to him taking over in the athletics department at Brooklyn College, where he eventually resigned due to personal circumstances.

After taking some time away from coaching, Woolward came to Hunter in 2015, initially as an assistant, and has been here ever since.

“I loved the transition into college coaching at Hunter, the staff is great, Terry [the athletic director] is great,” he said.

In regards to the current fall season, Woolward talks about how as a team, the players have hit some “lightbulb” moments.

“Sometimes these aren’t things that I would say to them, it’s just some things they have to figure out, amongst themselves.. both individually and collectively as a team,” he said.

When asked about the possibility of a rematch of the CUNY championship last year, Woolward is not looking to jump ahead too quickly.

“First we have to make it to the finals. It’s not guaranteed. John Jay has to make it also,” he said. “When we get there we worry about it then. We have six weeks, a lot of matches to play and we need to worry about those before we worry about John Jay in the finals.” 

Wendy Montiel

Wendy Montiel is the women’s cross country reigning Runner of the Week. The senior is looking to finish her last year as a Hawk on top after being a two-time Cross Country and Track All-Star, while the team is looking to win their tenth consecutive CUNYAC title.

For Montiel, Hunter’s psychology program is what drove her to the school, though she did not originally plan to participate in athletics. When asked about how she got involved with the cross country team, she laughed.

“The Pacer Test,” Montiel said. “That’s where it all started back in middle school. I decided to give it [cross country] a shot when I saw a flier my sophomore year and it’s been going well since then.” 

With a plan to graduate in the winter, rather than the traditional spring semester, Montiel attributes the desire to get a head start on post-grad life to her change in career desires.

“I want to take time to figure out what it is I want to do. I am still happy psych is my major, I’m gonna give it my all this semester,” Montiel said. 

Montiel started the season on a high note with a new personal best time, a second overall finish, and CUNYAC Runner of the Week accolades. She attributed this streak simply to “a lot of training.”

“I took my summer training very seriously and it’s reflecting what I’ve raced,” Montiel said. 

Horn referenced their sit down from last year, where Montiel emphasized the importance of her family in her training.

“They still motivate me and hype me up whenever I tell them how well I do,” Montiel said. Which as a collegiate athlete, she says, means the world to her. Though they have not been as involved as previous years, she still uses their support to push her forward and strives to make them proud. 

When asked about her pre-race preparation, Montiel went into detail about her new warm up, which touched on both the physical as well as mental ways she locks in for a race.

Though Horn refers to Montiel as a “seasoned veteran” given the accolades she acquired over the last two seasons as a Hawk, Montiel assured that experience doesn’t completely shake off the nerves before a game.

“Someone asked me if it ever gets easier,” Montiel said. “It doesn’t. I think that the nerves are still very high an hour before my race.”

To help with these nerves, Montiel referenced an intense physical warm up, positive self talk from herself and her family, and meditation to reassure her which brings “calmness and confidence” in herself. 

“Knowing that it’s my last few races running for Hunter is definitely bittersweet. I’m just trying to enjoy every race and give it my all,” Montiel said.

As a captain of the women’s cross country team, Montiel embraces the responsibility of such leadership, saying she is “making sure words of encouragement get to the [underclassmen] and letting them know I’m proud of them.”

Looking for their tenth consecutive CUNY championship, Montiel discussed the importance of keeping up their dynasty. 

“We want to hold the title of cross country champions and I feel like everyone is doing their part to train and to make sure they do as much as possible to add to the team,” Montiel said. 

Montiel also explained how her style of leadership is moreso leading by example, and how that works best for the team dynamic. 

“I make sure to encourage them. For mem I really love words of affirmation,” Montiel said. “I really try my best to push that forward. If they know that there’s at least one person that is proud of them and encourages them, that goes a long way. The season will be over before we know it, but we also need to remember to enjoy it and live in the moment.”

“Hawk Athletics” is a sports show hosted by David Horn airing every Monday at 3 p.m on the Where Hunter College Speaks (WHCS) radio station. In collaboration with WHCS radio, The Envoy breaks down Horn’s weekly show and recaps the latest on all things Hunter athletics.