Everyone who was connected with the Nashua High School track program in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s probably has a few great stories about Pauline Albert, but few knew her better or longer than Bill Stumpf.
Stumpf, who did his student teaching under Albert, was a longtime assistant coach andclose friend. His favorite story goes a long way toward telling the story of a coach who not only loved the athletes she coached, but did everything in her power to give them the best chance for success.
During a state meet, Albert was using one of her most talented athletes from the 1990s, Stephanie Roy, in a number of different events.
“I was at the discus circle and they were threatening to disqualify Stephanie if she didn’t make her throw,” Stumpf said. “At the time, Stephanie was running in a relay race.
“Pauline got in the officials face and said ‘Where does it say in the rule book you can disqualify her.’ ”
Of course, by the time the officials found the citation in the rule book, Roy had made her way to the discus circle. Albert just looked at the official, smiled, and said “never mind.”
Roy has her own stories about Albert.![]()
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