‘He is my coach’

As she leaves for her freshman year at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pa., Newton High School graduate Sierra Strasser has one item at the top of her “to-do” list: Offering a heartfelt thank you to Coach Jake Mull for all that he has done for her and other student athletes.

Mull, who retired as track and field coach in 2023, spent 32 years at Newton High School teaching chemistry and physics. He also was head coach of the girls soccer team for three decades.

He arrived at the school in February 1991 after a brief stint in the Clifton schools.

He and his wife, Kathleen “Kate,” recently celebrated their 29th anniversary. The couple lives in Green Township, where they raised four children - all of whom attended the high school and were coached by their father.

For Strasser and other Newton student athletes, Mull’s influence has continued after his retirement.

“When coach retired after my junior year, he said to me, ‘I’m not leaving you; I’ll still be here to help you and others,’ “ Strasser said. “He was there for practice and training, at meets and giving advice and guidance. He never asked for anything in return. He is my coach.”

Over the years, Mull turned the Newton girls track and field program into a highly competitive force and, some say, a dynasty.

The Braves squad, as a Group 2 school, won several titles in the Freedom Division of the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference, with many athletes and relay teams advancing to the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Meet of Champions.

Coach of the Year

Excellent showings compared with schools of similar sizes and in state competitions, as well as a second-place finish in the NJSIAA Section 1, Group 2, earned Mull the title of 2018 Girls Track Coach of the Year.

In 2015, he was recognized as the New Jersey Herald’s Girls Track and Field Coach of the Year. In a Herald article published that year, Mull said, “I have to remind myself that they are still kids, and they are still learning. All I want is the kids to be able to walk off the track or field and say they gave it their best shot.”

In the article, Mull also attributed the program’s success to the “depth that has kept the machine churning.”

Kate Mull, who ran the high school girls soccer booster club for several years, noted that their children - one boy and three girls - ran track and played soccer for their father.

“Our kids had to separate between dad and coach. Sometimes, especially with girls soccer, things that rolled home from soccer field weren’t easy to shake off - making for some interesting dinner conversations. Track didn’t bring as much home as it seemed running was more fun for them.

“Jake was close to his students and athletes. His classroom was a safe ‘go-to’ space for the kids, both his students and others not in his classes, where they could sit, eat lunch, be themselves and if needed talk with Jake. On the field it was the same - he was there for the kids. There was a lot of trust. Jake really took teaching and coaching to heart, and he made it fun.”

Kate recalled that Jake, during senior athletic awards, would present each of his graduating players with a paper plate with a written accomplishment and fun statement. Some of the student athletes have kept the plates as mementos and refer to those words when catching up with the Mulls.

During his retirement gathering, many former student athletes brought or referred to the paper plates while recounting the words on them - ”great memories,” said Kate.

“There were joyful times and some challenges along the way. When our kids were young, Jake went back to school for his doctorate degree in education to, in his words, make himself a better teacher. Being a dad, husband, teacher, coach and student was quite a balancing act.

“One of Jake’s student athletes, Steve Petro, as a senior was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Steve fought so hard and had a wonderful support group in his family, students, friends, teachers and Jake. After surgery, Steve came back and ran track in a state race. Bittersweet, yet tremendous determination. Steve passed away in 2002.

“That was incredibly hard on everyone in the school and community, and Jake felt it deeply. It’s meaningful that many of his former friends and classmates still raise funds in Steve’s name to support Make-a-Wish, scholarships and more.”

A ‘school dad’

Strasser’s interest in track and field was sparked by her older brother, Brandon, who while in middle school told her that she would be good in pole vault.

Her first vault was as a high school freshman. Mull pulled her aside and said she would be great at that event, she said.

Under Mull’s tutelage, Strasser elevated her talent, vault heights and confidence. She matched the Newton High School record of 10 feet 6 inches as a sophomore, set a new school mark of 10 feet 7 inches as junior and vaulted 11 feet 6 inches as a senior, a standing school record.

“At the end of my sophomore year, I told Coach Mull that after high school I wanted to pole vault at a Division 1 college,” she said. “He said OK, set goals, offered reassurance and guidance on what I needed to do to get there, and every step of the way helped me contact and gain interest from Division 1 programs.

“He believes in me. And now I’m going to Bucknell to compete in Division 1 track and field as a pole vaulter.”

Strasser will study finance and accounting.

Michelle Rigby-Strasser, Sierra’s mother, describes Mull as ‘father-like” in his approach - neither aggressive nor intimidating.

“He’s been a ‘school dad’ to Sierra and other student athletes,” she said. “Coach Mull has treated Sierra as a father would a daughter, forming a tremendous bond in the classroom and on the field.

“He always went out of his way to support and encourage her, make her better and find joy, and relate on good days and bad - always knowing what to say.

“Coach Mull was the same with other student athletes, building strong relationships and helping them persevere, grow and succeed and urging them not to quit in difficult times. Don’t let anyone get in your head and don’t give up, he would say. He urged one boy in track and field not to quit in his senior year, to keep going, and now he’s competing in college.

“I’m especially grateful that Coach Mull continued to work with Sierra after retirement.”

Stepping up in retirement

Mull now teaches chemistry at Sussex County Community College and has done some consulting work for William Patterson University.

According to Kate, he’s also getting around to jobs at the house that he never had time for.

For their 30th anniversary next year, the Mulls with their adult children in tow plan a trip to England and Scotland, including the Isle of Mull.

“After retirement, it was odd for Jake with the start of the new school year and sports season. Thankfully, he was still working with Sierra, who is a terrific person and focused athlete. That little bit of coaching was helpful with his transition. Now Jake is fully retired from coaching yet looks forward to the future for Sierra and his other student athletes.”

Strasser pointed out that Mull has made her driven and determined to succeed, better able to put in a full effort in all she does, and given her a love for track and field, notably pole vaulting.

“Coach Mull has had a great impact on my life, helped build a strong work ethic and great confidence, and taught me to be my best and to help others,” she said.

“Thank you for everything you’ve done, for all the sacrifices and support, Coach Mull. You’re the best coach I’ve ever had. My coach! I’ll never forget all that you taught me.”