READING - Two decades ago, already deep into a Hall of Fame career that would have college coaches emulating him, Peter Moscariello walked through the corridors of Reading Memorial High School with a satisfaction that only its administrators, teachers, and students could properly articulate.
The math teacher already had a string of successes as baseball coach since 1978, but this was winter, and a distinctive kind of storm had been erupting in the school's gymnasium and ice rink. Spring season, and its balmy weather, would have to wait.
All Moscariello could do was try to decipher how his school became so fortunate.
How, in the ultra-competitive Middlesex League, could Reading win the boys' hockey, wrestling, track, and basketball titles, and girls' track crown in the same season?
"How do you have that many good athletes spread that thinly?" Moscariello wondered. "And win that many championships?"
There are no easy answers when evaluating the long and renowned history of Reading athletics.
Someone had to be the architect. Someone had to create the blueprint. In Reading, a quiet town nestled 12 miles north of Boston at the crossroads of Routes 93 and 128, the discussion spans more than half a century.
"It wasn't created by me," said Phil Vaccaro, Reading's 14-year athletic director. "It probably started in the mid 1950s with [former AD] Walter Hawkes. I don't know. But we've been lucky."
And successful. The announcement that the school had won the Globe's 2007 Ames Division 2 Scholastic Award produced the requisite emotions, especially considering the Rockets reversed roles with North Andover, last year's champion. Reading had finished second the past five years.
Reading's honor was one of 10 announced as part of the Globe's 35th Scholastic Awards. But for the veteran coaching staff, energetic athletic director, and tradition-carrying athletes, it was no revelation.
One important fact has been made clear as the decades have passed and the MIAA hardware has been hoisted. At a school with an outdoor boys' track program that once boasted a 29-year unbeaten streak, there is no trademark sport.
"If I could pinpoint one thing, then we'd win it every year," said Vaccaro. "If it just takes having good athletes, that would be too easy for everybody. You need a good youth program, facilities, coaches, good parents, and a town that will support athletics, allowing it to expand and take chances."
Marvelous mentors
It is difficult to know where to begin when discussing Reading tradition. One place might be the plethora of seasoned coaches.
Take 20-year girls' swimming coach Lois Margeson, a novice when compared to some of her colleagues.
Margeson has been through the ups and downs of a longstanding program - and happens to be the team's original coach - but her tenure has been much shorter than those of Bruce Appleby (boys' tennis, 44 years), Hal Croft (boys' track, 37 years), Tom Darrin (wrestling, 30 years), Moscariello (29 years), Peter Doherty (boys' hockey, 29 years), and Ken Feit (girls' track, 24 years).
"I think most coaches you talk to and the people we meet will tell you it's a privilege to be a coach at Reading High School," said Margeson. "We have a tremendous backing from the administration. Anytime I have ever asked Phil for something, he's never said no."
It is like that when she asks fellow coaches for advice.
"Myself, if I ever had a problem, who would I go to?" said Margeson. "I'd go to a Peter Doherty or a Hal Croft. Those are coaches with a lot more experience than me. In 20 years, I've done that several times."
Moscariello says it's easy for athletes to get up to play for Reading coaches. These are people they can trust.
"Coaches are going to take them in and, maybe not make them a superstar, but develop them into a contributing member," Moscariello explained. "Kids want to play Reading football because of a great tradition. They want to play Reading hockey because they'll get a chance to play in the Garden. It's exciting."
The Croft Doctrine is one Moscariello is very familiar with. Croft, the nationally respected boys' track coach who at the peak of his powers carried a 29-year unbeaten streak until it ended in 2001, has spent decades teaching life lessons and instilling the values of teamwork. The end product has been astounding.
"Hal Croft epitomizes our program," Moscariello stated. "He takes a kid that may not be terrific, and he'll turn him into a second- or third-place runner in the 1,000-yard run. That's how he gets points and wins his meets. We can all learn from that."
Pieces come together
The 2006-07 Reading athletic season had its customary highlights, including a boys' hockey team that finished at 19-1-0 as well as a pair of undefeated girls' track teams (9-0).
But it was the surprises - a 16-2 volleyball team, and a pair of standout lacrosse programs - that elevated the Rockets to new heights.
"[Boys' tennis] always goes 16-2 or 15-3, girls' tennis goes 14-4, swimming is around 8-2, and gymnastics will be 6-2," said Vaccaro. "We're a family of 26 sports, 13 male and 13 female, and everybody helps each other.
"If you go inside, you'll see track running around the basketball team and wrestling right near gymnastics. Go outside, and you'll see the lacrosse teams sharing fields."
But this year, a 14-4-0 boys' lacrosse team and an 11-3-1 girls' lacrosse team unexpectedly lent a big hand.
"We picked up lacrosse and that helped," said Appleby. "They give us a chance to get some extra wins.
"We have a lot of enthusiasm in our coaches and the kids pick right up on it. Each year, we want to do a little bit better."
A baseball team picked to be in the middle of its conference reverted to its old league-leading form, with an 18-2 record.
"Our team last spring wasn't unlike what you see in a lot of sports at Reading," Moscariello said. "We don't need to have the most talented team or a superstar athlete. We have good, hard-working, committed kids."
A crucial part of this year's success story was a powerhouse performance by the girls. Their combined record of 152-30-10 was astonishing.
"I like to check who won the [Scholastic] Awards each year," said field hockey coach Mim Jarema, whose team finished 13-2-3. "But more importantly, I like to see how various schools ranked within their division. To me, it especially tells you what schools are producing winners.
"I've said to my group of kids, 'When you play checkers, you play to win. But are you smart enough to set up the moves?' You don't see schools in the Top 5 year after year that aren't teaching that lesson."
The honor roll
As formidable as Reading was, it wasn't alone when it came to outstanding achievement this year. The Globe is also honoring Lincoln-Sudbury (295-98-9, 74.5 winning percentage) in Dalton Division 1. Lincoln-Sudbury catapulted ahead of second-place finisher - and defending champion - Andover (275-98-17, 72.7) thanks in large part to dominant volleyball teams. The boys were 19-0-0 while the girls finished 20-0-0.
The Dalton Division 3 award went to Old Rochester while the Ames Division 4 winner was Norwell.
East Boston ruled among the city schools in Nason Division 1. In Nason Division 2, St. John's Prep continued its remarkable showcase of depth and accomplishment, running away with its 11th straight title.
Notre Dame of Hingham won the Singelais Division for the second straight year while Bishop Feehan won its 10th straight Nason Division 3 Award.
Shawsheen (Division 1) and Blackstone Valley (Division 2) won the Markham Awards.
