Inductees

Coach Bio


Elliot Lilien

1965 - Present

How can someone who never attended Concord-Carlisle High School be inducted into the CCHS Hall of Fame? The answer is: by establishing the sport fencing, and by coaching over thirty seasons of athletics at CCHS. Elliot Lilien is being inducted for his success in the coaching field. In the late 60's John O'Connell, a 1994 Hall of Fame inductee, convinced Lilien to start a fencing program at CCHS. Lilien did so and went on to coach fencing for twenty years. He has also been the boys' varsity tennis coach, and the academic bowl coach.

Prior to working in Concord, Lilien attended The University of Chicago, Columbia University, and Harvard University. He was ranked number seven fencer in the United States in 1961 as an undergraduate. He was also the fencing captain at University of Chicago in 1960 and 1961, and a New England Sabre Champion in 1965.

After Lilien established a fencing team at CCHS it went onto produce seven state championship teams and two individual Olympic champions. Lilien's favorite teams to beat in the regular season were Harvard and The University of Pennsylvania's junior varsity teams. However, one of his most exciting CCHS coaching moments was beating Essex Catholic in 1984 to end their winning streak.

Lilien's tennis teams have been very successful, winning two Dual County League championships and one state title. He also has three more state championships as the coach of the academic bowl team, it is presently ranked tenth nationally.

Lilien is widely respected by everyone. His students, team members, and fellow teachers all look up to him. Brad Ouderkirk, who played tennis for Lilien for three years says, "He was a phenomenal tennis coach, who brought integrity, originality, and most importantly, fun, to the tennis program." He is known for his one-of-a-kind character.

Lilien has been teaching at CCHS since 1965. He spent thirteen years as the chairman of the Social Studies department, and is now in his tenth year as the president of the CCTA. He has been a speaker at Wellesley College, Harvard University, Holy Cross College, and at three CCHS graduations. Elliot Lilien made it to the CCHS Hall of Fame without playing one game, match or meet for Concord-Carlisle. He is an excellent coach and a great person.