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Like father like son: Silverman and Conran follow fathers to Keene State
KEENE, N.H., 9/19/10 – The phone rings in Coach Ron Butcher’s office all the time. Often, it's alums and former players at the end of the line, looking to catch up with the Owls’ long-time men’s soccer coach or just go down memory lane.
Like many former players, Mike Silverman ’79, an All-American during the Owls' NAIA days, keeps in touch with Butcher and still follows the team. However, his phone call awhile back caught Butcher off guard.
“I called Butcher and said, 'I’ve got a recruit for you – my son,’ and Ron said, ‘I hear that from alumni all the time.’ So I asked Ron to just give Danny a fair shot, and if he wasn’t good enough, so be it,” said Silverman.
Over the years, Butcher says he’s heard from a few former players who relate their sons’ interest in joining the program. But most of those sons don’t come. What’s the main reason for turning their back on dad’s alma mater? “Nobody wants to follow in his father's footsteps, especially if he made a major impact," said Butcher.
Going against the grain and looking to make their own mark, current Owls Danny Silverman and T.J. Conran decided Keene State was the place for them.
“My dad didn’t push me to go to Keene State, but I came here and really liked it,” said the younger Silverman, a sophomore midfielder. “He had a real good career here and I wanted to follow in his footsteps.”
T.J. Conran, whose dad, Tom ’74, was a striker for the Owls in the early 1970s, said his father had a big influence on his decision to come to KSC. “I always saw the old pictures and heard all those good stories about Coach Butcher," said T.J., who was also impressed by the long line of top-notch goalies that the program had produced.
Ironically, Tom Conran was one of Coach Butcher’s first recruits. Originally from Manchester, Conn., Conran played for former Owl great Phil Hyde, who introduced him to Keene State. Conran, who went by the name “Chip,” helped usher in a new and successful soccer era that saw the Owls advance to the NAIA national tournament. “At one time we were ranked first in New England, so it was a great four-year experience,” said Conran.
A native of Framingham, Mass., Mike Silverman was drawn to Keene State by its soccer and skiing programs. Silverman, who credits Coach Butcher for teaching him the game, reciprocated with his never-give-up style of play on the field. His 1977 team played in the NAIA finals and was later inducted into the KSC Hall of Fame.
Butcher says Danny reminds him of Mike. “They’re both on the short side and have a knack for making things happen in the backfield,” said Butcher.
Rick Scott '77, the Owls' associate coach, who played alongside the elder Silverman, called him a gamer. “Mike was a skilled player and as tough as nails,” said Scott. “He would run up and down the field all day.”
Both fathers coached their sons on several club teams. T.J., who’s from South Windsor, Conn., and played at East Catholic High, said his father would always give the retort, “This is what we did at Keene.”
Playing behind a couple of veteran goalies earlier in his career, T.J. showed flashes of promise last season when he didn’t allow a goal in four games, including three starts. Expected to take over as the Owls’ top keeper this season, Conran has been sidelined by an ankle sprain suffered in the team’s opening game against New England College.
“I’m trying to keep a positive frame of mind and work hard in practice,” he said. “It’s my senior year, so I’m really pushing myself.”
An All-League player as an eighth-grader at Maynard (Mass.) High, Danny Silverman attended the Middlesex School in Concord. He spent one year at Loyola (Md.) University before deciding to come to Keene State.
“Loyola wasn’t a good fit for him," said his mother Nancy, also a KSC grad. “He came back, revisited Keene, and really loved it.”
Moving into the Owls’ starting line-up late last season, Silverman, who was named the most outstanding defensive player in KSC’s opening season XARA tournament, has blossomed into a top center midfielder.
“Danny is lightning in a bottle. He uses everything in his arsenal to outfox most players he goes up against," said Butcher. “He’s a dedicated team player and easy to coach because his learning curve is so high.”
“I see some similarities in my son’s game and my own at his age – he plays it smart and simple and has great field vision. He knows when and where to place the ball,” Mike Silverman said, “but Danny has a lot more skill than I ever did.”
It’s not unusual to see both fathers in the stands watching their sons play. “I was near the sidelines at a recent game and listening to what Butchy was saying," said Tom Conran. “I closed my eyes and it’s 1970 again.”
