As each member of boys’ cross country crossed the finish line, head coach Lou Pearlman’s fervent cheers could be heard over the screaming fans.
Under Pearlman’s inspirational leadership, boys’ cross country, 5-4, excelled in eight regular meets, the Bay State Conference, the MSTCA Bay State Invitational, the Devens Pre-Championship Classic, the MSTCA Bob Glennon Twilight Invitational Meet, the Bay State Conference Championships, and the MSTCA Frank Mooney Coaches. Pearlman said the Tigers hope to qualify for the MIAA Division 1A-1B-1C meet and the MIAA XC Meet of Champions.
A favorite among student-athletes, Pearlman’s unique blend of warmth and intensity has created a welcoming environment in North’s athletics that nurtures success, whether through scores or personal growth.
“I’ll always remember, after I won my first invitational last year, he walked up to me,” said senior cross country captain Max Badri. “I was still very much dead on the ground, but he said, ‘You’re in the big-boy leagues now. Enjoy it, because this is what the work has been about.’”
Rewarding the Tigers’ dedication and diligent efforts, Pearlman often brings his team cookies, popsicles, or takes them out for dinner after a long meet. He is also extremely dedicated to the health of his athletes, and frequently holds conversations about diet, rest, and maintaining a balance between school and sports.
“You always know that he’s looking out for you. He’s been coaching running since he was in high school, so you can tell that he’s really invested into this,” Badri added. “He puts a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into cross country.”
Over the past seven years, since Pearlman began coaching at North, the boys’ cross country team has won six titles at the Bay State Conference Championships.
Pearlman, however, prioritizes the Tigers’ personal growth over the team’s record.
“The best reward is supporting them no matter how they do,” he said. “Good or bad, fast or slow, I just try to help the kids. They know that if they put in the work, they’ll get better.”
At the beginning of each meet, student-athletes see Pearlman cheering them on as the race commences. As each runner crosses the finish line, Pearlman’s motivational words turn into congratulations as he envelopes them in hugs.
While Badri described Pearlman as playful, junior Ryan Costello, another captain of boys’ cross country, also commented on Pearlman’s intensity. “I was talking to him about summer running when I met him after eighth grade,” Costello said. “It was definitely what I was looking for, which was a coach who was going to push me in new ways.”
During cross country season, student-athletes run anywhere from five to eight miles a day, participating in intervals, repeat miles, and repeat 1000 meter runs, among other exercises.
Pearlman added, “I just want them to feel good about themselves, and I make sure to tell them that if there’s anything they don’t understand, to tell me, to talk to me about what’s going on. I make sure that I don’t run anyone who’s sick or injured, or unhealthy.”
Pearlman coached at Wellesley High School for eighteen years before transitioning to his role at North. Pearlman has coached cross country for over 35 years, starting coaching on the side while teaching. After retirement, coaching became his main priority.
Pearlman said, “This has been the best stop yet. Not only do Coach Wallace and I get along great, but our philosophy is the same, on how to coach kids.”
In addition to coaching the Tigers in the fall, Pearlman is the assistant coach to math teacher Shawn Wallace for both boys’ indoor and outdoor track and field in the winter and spring.
“The one thing that you can never deny about Lou is that he cares,” said Wallace. “He deeply cares about them improving, both on the cross country course and in life. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone care as much about his kids as Lou does– he brings them wherever they need to go, and drives them places. If they need anything at all, they know they can text or call him.”
According to Pearlman, his main goal for the season is not only going to Sectionals and States, but he also aims to push his student-athletes to reach their greatest potential.
“I tell them if you don’t put in the work, you won’t be as good as you can be, nowhere near it. I can’t make you want it, but I can push you to want it,” said Pearlman. “It’s ultimately up to them. I never yell at them on a bad day. Why would you? I know some coaches do, but here, it’s all love and support.”
According to Wallace, he’s never seen a coach who cares as much about his runners more than Pearlman.
“I always give him a hard time because he loves to talk. I say, ‘These guys gotta go run before it gets dark,’ and we laugh,” he said. “You can tell by the way he talks and the way he laughs, that he’s always caring about these kids.”
