I was born and raised in Baltimore, and my dad, who passed away ten years ago last June, had an enormous impact on my life. He was a longtime teacher and coach, but years before that, he was something of a legend in his own stories. And he could tell stories.
Growing up on the tough streets of North Bergen, New Jersey (yes, it was tough in the 1930’s and ‘40’s) , my dad was the original 2-4-1er. Football, basketball, baseball- if there was a game going on in the neighborhood, he was there. He went on to become a tennis teaching professional, and somewhere along the way even stepped into the ring as a decorated boxer.
As a kid, he was given opportunities to try everything. Not through organized sports programs or travel teams, but on playgrounds, in the streets, and on sandlots. He learned to lose, to improve, to toughen up, and to discover what he loved. Those early experiences shaped the course of his life. and the fabric of his stories about this time in his life have inspired and entertained generations.
He believed deeply that sports were never just about physical skill. To him, they were about character, responsibility, and learning to be uncomfortable and push through. They were tools for becoming not just a better athlete, but a better human being. And he carried that belief into every classroom, every practice, and every young life he touched.
When my dad passed away, my brother and I received hundreds of cards from former students, friends, and colleagues. Each one told a story of encouragement, of tough lessons delivered and how to fight for what is right. It became clear that his impact reached far beyond anything we could have fully understood.
One message, written by a former student from West Baltimore, Class of ’78, has stayed with me: Coach Schloeder had an exceptional ability to transcend differences of age, race, and class to find common ground with students as human beings. He had a gift for making you feel like the center of the universe.”
For a long time, I’ve dreamed of bringing 2-4-1 programming to Baltimore as a way to honor his legacy. This month, that dream became reality. We opened the first-ever 2-4-1 TOP SELF program at Cross Country Elementary Middle School, made possible by a generous donation from one of my father’s former mentees — someone who once walked those very hallways as a kid.
On the first day of the program, I’ll admit, I got a little choked up. Watching the students jump into activities like TOP SELF, Go Tag, and Team Handball was a joy. But what moved me most were the Shoutouts — those simple, powerful moments of encouragement and feeling seen.
My dad was known as a tough teacher and coach. He demanded effort. He expected accountability. But he also understood something that stayed with his students long after they left his classroom: sometimes a kind word carries far more power than a harsh one. He didn’t hand out compliments easily, which made them all the more meaningful when they came.
Standing there, watching kids lift each other up, celebrate effort, and make someone’s day- I was reminded of everything he believed in.
In the very best way, it felt like things had come full circle.
About Kerry Boyle
Kerry Boyle is the Co-Founder and current Director of Operations at 2-4-1 CARE. With more than 30 years of experience across teaching, coaching, and educational leadership, Kerry brings a thoughtful, grounded approach to everything she does. A proud Baltimore native, she was a two-sport Division I athlete at Bucknell University, where she studied English and Political Science while playing lacrosse and field hockey. Kerry’s career has spanned every level of education—from elementary school to university—and across the country in cities including New York, Baltimore, Seattle, and Hartford. Her work has included teaching U.S. History and Government, launching international student programs, leading large athletic departments, and contributing to both local and state politics. Now based in West Hartford, Conn., Kerry works alongside her husband and 2-4-1 Co-Founder, Steve Boyle. Together, they enjoy time with their three grown daughters—Alannah, Michaela, and Siobhan—and remain passionate about building joyful, inclusive communities through the power of play.