I have recently heard people questioning the character of Zach Epley as the vote for the Southampton Village Board is approaching. As a lifelong resident of Southampton, I would like to share my personal experience with Zach Epley.
Mr. Epley started coaching my oldest son in 2012 for junior high baseball and just coached my younger son’s final high school baseball game on July 13. Yes, for the past nine years, Zach has been a coach for one of my boys.
Although Mr. Epley was considered their coach, he was really so much more to each of them and our family as a whole. When I was diagnosed with cancer, Zach went above and beyond for the boys when they were having a difficult time. He took time away from his real life to provide transportation to and from the games, took them out for meals or ice cream, and was always available to just listen to an upset kid.
During his second season coaching, when the team’s morale was low, Coach Epley told the team he would take them out to dinner after a win. True to his word, Zach took the entire team out to dinner after each win for the rest of the season. After the final game, he opened up his house to the team for a barbecue.
This was to be my younger son’s senior year of baseball, and to say that he was upset over losing the season due to the pandemic would be an understatement. However, Zach sent each player a Mariner Undefeated 2020 Baseball Season shirt he created, along with an incredible letter explaining to the team how much they meant to him and that he will always be around if they ever want to get together for a game.
Mr. Epley also was instrumental in putting together a Wooden Bat Tournament, allowing our local high school baseball teams to have some school baseball. I can’t even begin to tell you how happy the seniors were for this opportunity. In true Coach Epley fashion, he took the entire team out to Union Burger to celebrate the fact that they were undefeated in the tournament.
Zach was raised in the Village of Southampton and is now raising his children in the same place. He’s a true gentleman and always thinking of others.
I cannot think of a better person to be a part of the Southampton Village Board.
Mary Schneider
Shinnecock Hills
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