2025 NEPSAC Summer News Magazine

NEW ENGLAND PREPARATORY SCHOOL ATHLETIC COUNCIL

“The World Needs Martrell Stevens”

NEPSAC®

New England Preparatory School Athletic Council

2024–2025

President

Ryan Frost Cardigan Mountain School

Vice-President

Tim Joncas Westminster School

Secretary

Lisa Joel Phillips Andover Academy

Treasurer

Jim Smucker Berwick Academy

Co-Directors of Championships

Jamie Arsenault New Hampton School

Bob Howe Deerfield Academy

Mo Gaitán Pomfret School

Director of Classifications

Sean Kelly The Wheeler School

Coordinator of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Lamar Reddicks Milton Academy

Past Presidents

George Tahan Belmont Hill School

Bob Howe Deerfield Academy

Jamie Arsenault New Hampton School

Middle School Representatives

Rob Feingold The Fay School

Courtney Callanan Rectory School

District I Representatives

Stefan Jensen Hyde School

Becky Kimball Kents Hill School

District II Representatives

Jenna Simon Holderness School

Connor Wells Brewster Academy

District III Representatives

Sean Kelly The Wheeler School

Jen Viana Cushing Academy

Andrew Mitchell Lexington Christian Academy

District IV Representatives

Mike Marich The Frederick Gunn School

Mo Gaitán Pomfret School

Courtney Callanan Rectory School

Communications Specialist

Laurie Sachs The Rivers School

“NEPSAC” and the NEPSAC logo are registered trademarks of the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council and may not be used or displayed without permission.

New England Preparatory School Athletic Council qualifies as a public charity under Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3).

NEPSAC ® News

26Teaching Doesn’t Stop at 3 p.m.: Life Lessons from Coaches

12“The World Needs Martrell Stevens”

19 Gatorade Players of the Year: 16 NEPSAC Athletes Honored

35 Creating Healthy Habits for Rumsey Hall Student Athletes

48 Meet Deerfield’s Equipment Stockroom Coordinators

42 Looking Back on 55 Years of Brimmer & May’s Hardwood Haven

16 Reconnecting on the Court with Dana Smith Jr.

24 Lingashi to Open Squash Academy in Zambia

36The Building of a Lacrosse Community at Cardigan

50 Berwick Alumnus Mike Eruzione Shares His Journey

39Tarkett Project Showcase

52 Make Healthy Habits Part of Your Team Culture

4 Around NEPSAC 9 Laurels 54 #ICYMI

ON THE COVER: Martrell Stevens (Brooks School ’21) in March 2025. Photo by Craig Pressman.

GPresident’s Letter

Ryan Frost

Cardigan Mountain School

reetings to all, and happy summer! I hope this note and NEPSAC Magazine find you all doing well and finding time to rest, relax, and recharge. I hope you are also making time to do some things for yourself and your loved ones while planning for the 2025–2026 school year. While the NEPSAC Board had its last officially scheduled meeting of the 2024–2025 academic year in May, we recently met in June for a newly added summer retreat to discuss larger topics. The bulk of the meeting was spent on discussions regarding out-of-season coaching policies, schools and districts struggling on the outskirts of NEPSAC borders, open board and coaching association positions, sponsorship, membership, and the current and future state of education-based athletics within NEPSAC. The Board also set aside time for social interaction, less formal discussions, and professional enrichment. Thank you to the Out of Season Coaching Committee for their work over the last several months to bring ideas for change to the board. Coming out of the new summer retreat meeting, please stay tuned for updates to the current NEPSAC out-of-season coaching policy by the start of the fall. Without the help of ADs getting involved, things can not happen or move forward in NEPSAC. With that, I encourage all NEPSAC ADs to take advantage of the opportunities to get involved. Volunteer to serve on a committee, serve as a sports AD liaison, a new AD mentor, get involved at the district level, and serve on the NEPSAC board. Getting involved not only benefits your school and our organization, but it is also some of the best professional development available. Being involved gives you a broader connection to others in our organization, and with that, broadens your professional network and opportunities to learn from some of the very best athletic directors in our organization and the country.

Reminders of upcoming NEPSAC deadlines and events:

» Be sure to fill out and update your school information in the NEPSAC Directory. This is important to ensure that you and your school are up to date and receiving all the necessary information from the organization and your fellow schools.

» August New AD Intro to NEPSAC and Returning AD NEPSAC Reminders and Updates Webinar. Stay tuned for information and date on an August webinar designed to help give new NEPSAC ADs the inside track on important NEPSAC information, as well as an open question and answer session for all NEPSAC ADs.

» NEPSAC Annual Meeting: The annual meeting will take place on November 21, 2025, at Phillips Andover Academy. Stay tuned for more information in the fall.

As of July 1st, Jamie Arsenault will take over for Jim Smucker as the NEPSAC Treasurer. Please join the NEPSAC Board in thanking Jim for his many years of dedicated service to NEPSAC in District 1 and as the NEPSAC Treasurer. He will be missed, but will not be too far, as he will be heading to Proctor Academy to work with his wife, who will take over there in July as the new Head of School. Please also thank Jamie Arsenault for taking on this new role on the Board. Jamie brings a wealth of insider knowledge to this position, having served on the board for many years, including his tenure as District 2 representative, NEPSAC President, and most recently as Co-Director of Championships.

I hope you enjoy the latest issue of NEPSAC News. Thank you to Laurie Sachs for putting it together. Please share it with your community, and continue to share all your NEPSAC stories with Laurie, as they inspire us all and contribute to the continued growth of our great organization.

All the best,

Ryan Frost

The following resources are behind the password at www.nepsac.org to serve you better and streamline communication within NEPSAC:

» NEPSAC By-Law and Policy Handbook

» NEPSAC NIL Registration

» NEPSAC Grievance Form

» NEPSAC Expulsion Documentation Form

» NEPSAC NIL Policy and Registration Form

TREASURER’S REPORT

by Jim Smucker, Berwick Academy, NEPSAC Treasurer

Thank you for your continued support and efforts this year! After many years of service to the NEPSAC Board I will be stepping down for new opportunities at Proctor Academy with my wife Amy who will be the Head of School. Jamie Arensault from the New Hampton School will be taking over as the NEPSAC Treasurer as of July 1, 2025. Jamie has been on the NEPSAC Executive Board and has served as the NEPSAC President. WIth his experience NEPSAC is very fortunate to have Jamie step into this role. Jamie can be reached at jarsenault@nepsac.org

DUES

Beginning on July 1, 2025 all NEPSAC, District and Coaches Association dues will be available to be paid online. Please note that all dues need to be paid by October 15th.

SPORTS MEDICINE ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT

by Grady Congleton, SMAC chair

Happy Summer! I hope that you are getting a chance to rest and recover before we gear up for another academic year in a few short months.

In the meantime, The Sports Medicine Advisory Committee has been hard at work planning our November meeting where we hope to put on educational programming that both serve athletic trainers and athletic directors across the league.

Our goal is to promote the health and safety of student-athletes across the league. We seek to gather feedback, data, and insight so we can better serve you.

In that vein, we also conducted a survey of 100+ athletic trainers across the league to gather data on their experiences working in a NEPSAC institution.

We will be sending out this data to athletic trainers shortly, and if you are interested in learning more, I would encourage you to reach out at smacchair@ nepsac.org.

We’re here to support you and your school in ensuring a successful and safe athletic program as we believe in the power of exercise and movement as medicine.

I, along with the members of SMAC, wish all of you a happy summer and we are looking forward to another successful and enjoyable fall season coming up ahead.

With gratitude, Grady Congleton Salisbury School

Got news to share with other NEPSAC schools?

Send the details to communications@ nepsac.org and we’ll put it in the next issue.

Annual Meeting

Friday, November 21, 2025

Phillips Academy Andover Andover, Massachusetts

Remembering Former Director of Athletics Jim McNally

The Rivers School community is deeply saddened to share the passing of Jim McNally P’15, ’18, who served as the director of athletics from 1996 to 2016. Jim passed away peacefully on May 12, 2025, surrounded by his family. His legacy at Rivers is defined by more than two decades of leadership and athletic excellence, helping to shape Rivers athletics into the successful program it is today.

Jim believed in the power of sports to build character, leadership, and community. Under his direction, Rivers’ teams won seven Independent School League (ISL) championships and 29 New England titles.

“Jim’s vision for athletics extended far beyond the field,” said Head of School Ryan S. Dahlem. “He fostered a culture rooted in integrity, teamwork, and personal growth. His unwavering support of both the coaches and players was instrumental in the success of the program.”

Jim launched several key programs at Rivers, including the top girls’ hockey program and Nordic skiing, and was instrumental in the hiring of talented coaches, which helped transform Rivers athletics into an excellent and successful program. Additionally, Jim was at the helm of the Athletics Department during the construction of MacDowell Athletic Center, a facility that remains the hub of campus athletic life.

Beyond the Rivers campus, Jim’s dedication to youth sports and interscholastic competition earned him widespread respect. He held various roles within the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC), including president, district president, and director of championships, managing and overseeing 81 tournaments and advocating for fair and inclusive tournament selection for schools of all sizes. He was presented with an award from NEPSAC in 2008 for his outstanding dedication to the council and was awarded the Distinguished Service Award in 2018 given annually to an individual who has contributed significantly to the athletics and physical education of New England’s independent schools through enthusiasm, dedication, leadership, and vision in recognition of his extraordinary leadership.

Jim McNally and John Mackey. John nominated Jim for NEPSAC’s Distinguished Service Award in 2018, and presented it to him at the NEPSAC Annual Meeting. This award is given to an individual who has contributed significantly to the athletics and physical education of New England’s independent schools. Read more about the award presentation here.

Jim also held prominent positions within the ISL, including serving as president, maintaining a vital connection between Rivers and the broader prep school sports community.

For those fortunate enough to have worked with him, played for him, or simply known him, Jim McNally will be remembered as a mentor, a coach, and a friend. His tremendous legacy lives on in the thriving athletics program he helped create—and in the lives of the student-athletes he believed in so passionately.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to the McNally family. His obituary and service information can be found here

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Supplier of NEPSAC Championship Trophies for over 10 years

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Hilary Knight Wins Bob Allen Women’s Player of the Year Honors for the Third Time Following Another Stellar Season

by Steve Drumwright

Knight won her 10th World Championship Title and finished as a finalist for the PWHL MVP Award this year

If someone was designing a hockey player from scratch, Hilary Knight would be an ideal model she has all the characteristics that you want in a star player.

“There’s a couple things that make Hillary unbelievably special,” said John Wroblewski, head coach of the U.S. Women’s National Team. “She is one of the hardest workers and takes so much pride in her job. It’s amazing to watch her shift to shift and the energy output that she gives and the effort output that she puts into every single — it’s not even every single shift, it’s not even every single play, it’s every single meeting. She is absolutely dialed in at all times. It’s amazing to work around her. If there were a picture in the dictionary for professionalism, she would be right there with it.”

That combination of work ethic and skill has produced a plethora of goals and wins, leading to many medals and trophies.

Knight’s latest entry is a gold medal at the 2025 IIHF Women’s World Championship, which contributed to USA Hockey naming her the Bob Allen Women’s Player of the Year for the third time in her career.

Knight, who also won the award in 2014 and 2022, will be honored at the USA Hockey President’s Awards Dinner on June 6 in Denver.

“One of the other things that is so pivotal, and that makes her as successful as it is, she is absolutely where she is supposed to be as a hockey player,” Wroblewski said. “The joy, elation, the purpose for how she carries herself to be the most decorated scorer not only point-wise, but goal-wise in the history of women’s hockey, it’s all on display with her. The combination of her love

and desire and just her purpose to be a hockey player, it’s what she was put on the Earth to do.”

Knight captained the U.S. at Women’s Worlds and led the team in scoring, helping the Americans win their 11th gold medal and 10th with Knight on the roster. She recorded two goals and seven assists in seven games. Knight also tallied her 50th career assist during this year’s tournament, making her the all-time assist leader at worlds. Her 67 goals, 53 assists and 120 points are all the most in Women Worlds history.

At the professional level, Knight is one of three finalists for the PWHL’s Billie Jean King MVP Award. With the Boston Fleet, Knight tied for the league scoring title with 29 points (15G, 14A) in 30 games, making her the first player in league history to record at least 15 goals and 10 assists in a season.

“Hilary is the [greatest of all time],” said Katie Million, USA Hockey’s director of women’s national team programs. “She does everything

she can in her power to put herself in the best situation that she possibly can. As captain, that trickles down to her teammates as well. She has a very high bar that she sets for herself and for her teammates. For her to be in the top three as an MVP for the PWHL, it’s not surprising to me.”

Another part of Knight’s legacy has been the ability to perform in the biggest games. On the international stage, that means when the U.S. faces Canada. Since Wroblewski took over coaching the team in 2022, Knight has scored 15 goals in 27 games against Canada. The next three Americans combined have matched that output.

“She just continually finds ways and she puts the puck on the net from all different angles,” Wroblewski said. “It doesn’t matter who is in net, Hilary still finds a way to score. She’ll be the one that we can count on and her teammates can count on. It’s remarkable.”

Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.

NEPSAC Spring 2024–2025 Tournament Champions

Be sure to hit the link below to see the All-NEPSAC athletes

GIRLS GOLF

Phillips Academy Andover

GIRLS TENNIS

Class A Phillips Academy Andover

Class B The Rivers School

Class C King School

BOYS TENNIS

Class A Brunswick School

Class B Greenwich Country Day School

Class C St. Luke’s School

GIRLS WATER POLO

Choate Rosemary Hall

BOYS TRACK & FIELD

Division 1 Phillips Exeter Academy

Division 2 Williston Northampton School

Division 3 Kingswood Oxford School

GIRLS TRACK & FIELD

Division 1 Phillips Academy Andover

Division 2 The Governor’s Academy

Division 3 Montrose School

McKillop Reaches 100 Wins as Head Coach of Loomis Baseball

With a 1–0 victory over Kingswood Oxford on Wednesday, May 7, head varsity baseball coach Donnie McKillop notched his 100th career win at the helm of the Loomis Chaffee program.

The milestone reflects years of steady leadership, competitive excellence, and deep investment in the relationships that define team sports.

McKillop joined the Loomis Chaffee community in 2017 as head varsity baseball coach, assistant athletic director, and assistant football coach. Since his arrival, he has become a cornerstone of the athletics program and broader school community. He also serves as head of Warham Hall, where he lives with his wife, Katy, and their four children.

Before coming to the Island, McKillop gained valuable coaching experience at Amherst College, Middlebury College, and Springfield College. He taught and coached multiple sports at the Williston Northampton School between 2011 and 2014.

A 2011 graduate of Middlebury, McKillop was a standout student-athlete in both baseball and football, serving as captain for both teams. He holds Middlebury’s all-time record for career doubles in baseball and was a two-time AllNew England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) third baseman. As quarterback of the football team, he led the Panthers to a NESCAC championship, earning Player of the Year honors in 2009 and graduating as the program’s top passer.

Throughout his career, McKillop has emphasized the importance of shared goals and collective effort: “My favorite part of athletics is the relationships built through the practice of sport working relentlessly with teammates toward a common goal,” he says.

ST. GEORGE’S SCHOOL | MIDDLETOWN, RHODE ISLAND

Nadeau Earns DAT

Congratulations to veteran NEPSAC athletic trainer

Jeff Nadeau, DAT, MS, ATC, who recently earned his Doctor of Athletic Training degree from A.T. Still University in Mesa, AZ, with a focus on orthopedics and athletic training education. Dr. Nadeau is the head athletic trainer at St. George’s School and previously served in the same role at the Holderness School. Dr. Nadeau is a former chair of NEPSAC’s Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC) and former president of the Rhode Island Athletic Training Association (RIATA).

“Earning a doctoral degree was never in the cards,” Dr. Nadeau commented. “I felt the education I received from ATSU was exactly what I needed; it made me a better athletic trainer. I would suggest to anyone thinking about pursuing a terminal degree: go for it. The whole experience was transformative.”

In September 2025, Dr. Nadeau will start his 21st year in NEPSAC and 14th at St. George’s.

“The world needs Martrell Stevens.”

An athlete’s journey from NEPSAC to Team USA.

by Javier Mico-Crump

Awheelchair basketball player from a young age, Martrell Stevens (Brooks School ’21) has found immense success playing the game he loves. He is a first team All-American at the University of Illinois, a gold medalist at the 2025 International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) U23 Americas Zonal Qualifier, and is now a member of Team USA, competing at the 2025 IWBF Men’s U23 World Championship. However, in addition to his growing list of on-court achievements, it’s Martrell’s positivity, determination and thoughtfulness that have left a lasting impression wherever he goes.

Growing up on the South Side of Chicago, basketball was always a part of Martell’s life. When he was four years old, he suffered a gunshot wound from a stray bullet that injured his spinal cord, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. While recovering at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Trent Thenhaus who would later become Martrell’s coach brought him a sports wheelchair that was faster and more maneuverable than the wheelchairs he was used to. It was a match made in heaven.

“I just remember being in the chair and zooming down the hospital hallways,” said Martrell. “That really got me interested in playing adaptive sports, especially wheelchair basketball. I went to practice every Saturday after that for the rest of my life.”

Throughout his time in Chicago, Martrell continued to play under Thenhaus, and later under Dan Ferreira, an experience that he says helped him prepare for the next level.

“We were really young players, but he was treating us like we were in college already, the way he was teaching us the game,” Martrell recalled.

In addition to playing, Martrell spent hours watching basketball. He remembers attending many AAU games where his older brother and one of his biggest inspirations Wil Stevens (Brooks ’19) played. Wil eventually received the Daniel Murphy Scholarship and chose to attend Brooks School in Massachusetts, where he would play on the basketball team.

Seeing Wil’s success encouraged Martrell to follow in his brother’s footsteps.

“It was a pretty easy decision for me just when I got to see the campus,” Martrell said. “I got to go when my brother was out there, and I saw how everybody was like a tight knit family. I just fell in love with it. I made it my goal that I would get the same scholarship and I would make sure my grades stayed up to par so that I could go to that school as well.”

At Brooks, Martrell learned how to be independent. He confronted the challenges of living on a college preparatory campus and is grateful to Brooks for never limiting him. It was also a pivotal time in the advancement of his basketball career, where he formed a special bond with the school’s head basketball coach, John McVeigh.

McVeigh who won three New England and seven ISL championships with Brooks and is now Head of School at the Holderness School remembers being more than impressed when he first met Martrell.

YOU CAN LEARN SO MUCH IF YOU OPEN YOUR EARS AND REALLY UNDERSTAND AND DIGEST WHAT PEOPLE ARE TELLING YOU.

“He was so positive, so enthusiastic, such a hard worker,” McVeigh said. “His perseverance, the way he deals with adversity I don’t know that I’ve ever met anyone like him with that combination of characteristics.”

Some of Martrell’s happiest moments at Brooks were celebrating victories with the basketball team as a manager, but McVeigh insists that he was more than that.

“He was a part of our team,” McVeigh said. “He had the respect of everyone from the coaches to the players. He was someone who could share his thoughts about what we were doing on offense or defense, and we all sort of relied on him. We had a lot of success during his time at Brooks and he was a big reason why.”

Being in and around the basketball team gave Martrell the opportunity to improve every day. When the team practiced, he practiced. He would take drills he saw in training and find ways to adapt them into his own routine.

“He was doing whatever it took to get himself ready,” McVeigh noted. “He wanted to be the best wheelchair basketball player in the country and he was willing to put the time and effort in to achieve it.”

Martrell started to elevate his game, and others were taking notice.

“We went to a big showcase tournament, and in between games Martrell was shooting around,” McVeigh recalled. “A recruiter stopped me and was like, ‘Who is that, who is he? He’s as hard a worker and as good a shooter as I’ve seen in New England, full stop!’”

It was also during his time at Brooks that Martrell met Ryan Martin, founder of the Ryan Martin Foundation a nonprofit organization that strives to provide opportunities for youth and adult athletes by making sports training and mentorship accessible. Throughout high school, Martrell played for the foundation’s team, the Trojans, commuting two hours every Saturday to the practice facility in New Haven, Connecticut.

“He had a gravitational force where teammates and everybody wanted to be around Martrell and be a part of his world,” Martin

Signing Ceremony, Fall 2020. Image courtesy of Brooks School.

said. “I got to spend a lot of time with him as his coach and his mentor, and he’s just an incredibly smart, really thoughtful individual.”

Whether it was at Brooks or with the Trojans, one of the secrets to Martrell’s success was his ability to learn. Martrell knows he can always improve, which is why he constantly emphasizes the importance of listening.

“You can learn so much if you open your ears and really understand and digest what people are telling you,” Martrell said. “Every time someone gives me a suggestion within my game, I always implement it immediately because I’m listening to what they’re saying.”

Even the best minds in basketball have noticed this about Martrell. At a wheelchair basketball clinic hosted at the Boston Celtics’ practice facility, it took then-Celtics head coach Brad Stevens just 10 minutes to notice his receptiveness.

“He walked over to me and said, ‘Tell me more about this young man,’” McVeigh said. “‘He’s so locked in. He’s listening. He’s processing. He’s trying new things. He’s just so much fun to coach.’”

Left to right: Wil Stevens, Martrell Stevens, Brad Stevens, John McVeigh. Photo provided by John McVeigh.

The work has paid off. He committed to play wheelchair basketball after Brooks in his home state at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he completed his undergraduate degree and earned first team All-American honors. As of June 2025, he is representing the United States at the IWBF U23 World Championships — fulfilling a lifelong dream.

“I’m just super grateful to be able to represent my country,” Martrell said. “This has been my dream since I started watching wheelchair basketball, and hopefully we can bring home a gold because, you know, that’s the standard nowadays.”

I AM A BETTER PERSON, A BETTER COACH AND A BETTER DAD FOR HAVING KNOWN MARTRELL STEVENS.

JOHN MCVEIGH

Next year, Martrell is returning to the University of Illinois to pursue a postgraduate degree in sports management. He will also return to the court, hungry to continue improving. He aims to make the Senior Men’s National Team and dreams of playing professionally in Europe after graduation.

“I think everybody understands how great of a basketball player he is, but he’s even a better person,” Martin said. “All the success he gets we’re so happy to see it because he deserves it all.”

In his pursuit of greatness, Martrell hasn’t forgotten who he is. He maintains contact with his coaches and mentors, who still describe him as the passionate, empathetic person they met years ago. His ability to listen has not only shaped his game but has also allowed him to build strong relationships.

“The world needs Martrell Stevens,” McVeigh said. “I think that’s been the key to his success: that he’s somehow balanced the ability to overcome and achieve and feel deservedly proud and yet never be complacent about it. His best days are in front of him. I can’t wait.

I am a better person, a better coach and a better dad for having known Martrell Stevens.”

Martrell Stevens in March 2025. Photo by Craig Pressman.

Reconnecting on the Court

by Director of Athletics Sean Kelly ’02 P’35, P’37

While Dana Smith, Jr. ’19 had many special moments as a student-athlete at Wheeler, none marked more of a turning point in his young basketball career than his performance during the Rhode Island State Championship on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018.

With 20 points and 14 rebounds, the Warriors’ then-junior was honored as the game’s Most Outstanding Player en route to helping his team secure a 6050 win over Tiverton High School. But it was so much more than his dominating performance on the hardwood that afternoon that symbolized the change.

I remember standing with him as we were being interviewed by reporters from The Providence Journal. I talked a bit about my journey to Wheeler as a player and now a coach, the positive culture of our program, and how Wheeler was a special place beyond the boundaries of the basketball court. And then when Dana was asked about that culture he replied, “We went out and won today for the seniors who lost in the finals last year. Today was about them.”

It was at that moment I knew something special was on the horizon for Dana as a player and as a person.

Over the next 12 months, as he continued to develop his game, the accolades came pouring in. Dana, who was now the captain of the Varsity Basketball team, poured in a game-high 38 points against the top team in the state, which included a memorable 32 points in the second half and a note from a local sportswriter stating, “Smith’s second half might have been the best half of basketball I’ve ever seen a high school kid play.” A few weeks later, he eclipsed the 1,000-point milestone with an exhilarating 30-point performance on Senior Night. A few weeks after that, he earned an All-State selection. By this time he was being recruited by some of the best small

colleges in New England. That spring, he committed to play at Trinity College in Connecticut.

As his coach, it was incredible to watch his accomplishments unfold, and impossible to not feel proud of him and his work. Yet, I couldn’t help but recall the totality of his journey at Wheeler.

Before that championship game as a junior, he had been a starter on the basketball team since midway through his freshman year. There were flashes of athletic brilliance an athletic leap to block a shot or to grab a rebound, a strong finish around the rim, or even an impressive rotation to stop an opposing player from getting to the basket. In all of those moments, however, Dana presented stoically as if playing basketball was merely a thing he did as regularly and unenthusiastically as eating his lunch, walking to class, or brushing his teeth.

The reason was that it took him some time to truly warm up to Wheeler after

having been at parochial schools in Providence and Pawtucket.

“I knew Wheeler was a great place to be academically,” Dana says. “However, I didn’t feel it would be the best fit for me in the long term. Wheeler was different socially and when I came in it seemed like the students all had known each other a long time.”

Despite the appearance of his lack of emotion in his day-to-day approach at practice and during the academic day at Wheeler, basketball provided him with a sense of self, and it slowly eased the social transition. Courtesy of the game, he got to know teammates Elijah Ramos ’18, Tim Holt ’18, and Graham Lynch ’16 before he arrived at Wheeler, and a bit later, he met Jordan Bomba ’18 and Justin Lema ’19, who also played on the Basketball team. Graham was a wonderful mentor for Dana his first year. Jordan, Justin, Tim, and Dana would remain close friends after graduation.

Along the way, the friendships and confidence that came with basketball carried over into other parts of his time at Wheeler, and it created a positive overall experience for Dana. He used that foundation and momentum to hit the ground running at Trinity on and off the court.

“I was prepared for my time at Trinity because everything I did on the court and in the classroom at Wheeler was treated

with respect and purpose,” Dana says. “I learned that both were important and distinct. I would consider myself a person who focuses on their goals and pursues them relentlessly.”

To say Smith has pursued his goals relentlessly might be an understatement. While at Trinity for five years, he earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree while benefiting from the additional year of eligibility granted to student-athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over his collegiate career, he captained the Bantams, garnered NESCAC Defensive Player of the Year honors, and helped Trinity to its first-ever Division III Final Four.

In watching an interview with Dana after his team won the Elite Eight regional championship, and Dana played a major role in the win, he talked about how his team and their buy-in were the reason they were having success. Not surprisingly, he shied away from taking personal credit. It reminded me a lot of his response after we won the state championship at Wheeler a few years before only now it was pretty clear that there was quite a bit of emotional depth behind that stoic demeanor.

It’s that same selfless drive and leadership, along with his education from

Wheeler and Trinity, that has helped Dana remain part of the game of basketball, though now in a different capacity both in terms of his role and the team’s arena.

“Basketball was always a passion of mine from a very young age,” he says. “I always aimed to compete at the highest level I could, dreaming of the NBA. Even though I no longer compete as a player, being part of the NBA is still a dream come true.”

Dana’s new job is as a video analyst with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The job requires him to travel with the team and to be present at all games. He communicates with coaches during each quarter and prepares plays and clips for team and coach review during and after games. He also regularly finds himself on the court on game days, where he helps players during their pregame routines and plays pickup games afterward with players who didn’t play significant minutes to keep them in shape.

“My favorite part of working with the Thunder is the opportunity to learn so much from so many different people,” Dana says. “The Thunder organization is a place where I can grow and learn quickly. I feel the opportunity to converse with a wide array of staff is also a blessing.”

In early January, I was part of a group of Wheeler alums and family who traveled to Oklahoma City to visit Dana during a Thunder three-game home stand. When the plane landed at Will Rogers International Airport, I saw the flatlands of Oklahoma for the first time. The atmospherics seemed to simultaneously present calmness and an overabundance of potential with the expansive terrain. The following night, I watched Dana warm-up NBA All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. An hour later, as fans flurried into Paycom Arena, there was suddenly a palpable energy I couldn’t quite compare to any other place or sporting event I ever attended.

After the game, one that featured an impressive second-half comeback by Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder, our group waited to reconnect with Dana. We were excited, both about the game and the prospect of seeing our Wheeler friend. He eventually came down to the court nonchalantly. He was holding takeout food from the team room and was dressed in sweatpants. It seemed very Dana to arrive that way after such exhilaration around him.

On that Championship Sunday seven years earlier, I got the sense Dana was just getting started. Watching him in Oklahoma, despite knowing all he’s accomplished since then, I couldn’t help but feel he’s still just getting started though this time at basketball’s highest level.

The Wheeler group reconnects with Dana (far right in photo) after the Thunder game against the New York Knicks. With Dana are (back row) Tim Holt ’18, Sean Kelly ’02, Justin Lema ’19, Jordan Bomba ’18; (front row) Kaela Munoz ’18 and Landon Kelly ’35.

Athletes From 16 NEPSAC Schools Earn Gatorade Player of

the Year Honors

The Gatorade Player of the Year award was established in 1985 to recognize the nation’s most elite high school student-athletes for their athletic excellence, academic achievement and exemplary character.

In each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia, one Gatorade State High School Player of the Year is chosen in each of the following sports: football, volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, softball, baseball, and boys and girls track and field.

One winner from each of the twelve sports is chosen from each state and the District of Columbia.

The Gatorade State Player of the Year award winners are evaluated and selected on the basis of three criteria:

» Athletic Excellence - Standout performance in their respective sport made at the high school, club, national or international levels of competition.

FOOTBALL

BLAKE HEBERT ’25

Brunswick School

Greenwich, Connecticut

ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE

The 6-foot-3, 220-pound senior quarterback passed for 1,589 yards and 16 touchdowns this past season, leading the Bruins (8-2) to a berth in the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council championship game. The New England Prep League’s Offensive Player of the Year, Hebert also rushed for 625 yards and 11 scores. He is ranked as the nation’s No. 270 recruit in the Class of 2025 by ESPN.

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

» Academic Achievement - Review of GPA and class rank, as well as SAT and ACT scores, and academic honors distinctions.

» Exemplary Character - Commitment to sportsmanship, character and community through membership and participation in positive activities.

In 2024–2025, 16 NEPSAC athletes from 15 schools in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Rhode Island were named Player of the Year in football, volleyball boys and girls soccer, boys cross country, boys and girls basketball, boys track & field, and baseball.

Hebert has maintained an A average in the classroom. At the time of his selection, he had made a verbal commitment to receive athletic aid to play football at the University of Notre Dame next fall.

HEXEMPLARY CHARACTER

Hebert has volunteered locally with Lift For Life, a fundraiser that benefits those affected by rare diseases. He has also served as a peer leader at the Brunswick School.

ebert is unbelievable. He’s a dual-threat quarterback. You have to respect his run, he makes every single throw and he’s an outstanding character kid … He was a nightmare to play against defensively. ~ Chris Setian, Head Coach, Suffield Academy

VOLLEYBALL

CAROLINE ELLIS ’25

King School

Stamford, Connecticut

ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE

The 6-foot-1 senior outside hitter led the Vikings to a 21-0 record and the New England Prep School Athletic Council Class A tournament title this past season. Ellis recorded 279 kills and 137 digs, including a 20-kill, eightdig effort in King’s 3-0 win over Phillips Exeter in the NEPSAC championship match. Also the NEPSAC Class A Player of the Year, Ellis compiled 40 assists and 29 service aces while posting a .526 kill percentage and a .315 hitting percentage at net. A two-time NEPSAC Class B Player of the

BOYS & GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY

ALEXANDER FISHER ’26

Loomis Chaffee School Windsor, Connecticut

ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE

The 5-foot-8, 118-pound junior took second this past season at the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council Division I Cross Country Championships with a time of 15:19, leading the Pelicans to a runner-up team finish. Fisher trailed only eventual national Foot Locker Cross Country Championships winner Tam Gavenas of Massachusetts, and finished in the top two of every race this season prior to his 20th-place showing at the national NXN Final, where he earned Third Team All-American status. He is a three-time All-NEPSAC selection.

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

Fisher has maintained an A average in the classroom. He will begin his senior year of high school this fall.

EXEMPLARY CHARACTER

Fisher has volunteered locally as part of Loomis Chaffee’s disciplinary committee.

Placing either first or second in every race leading to Nike Cross Nationals, Fisher certainly timed his peak with tremendous precision. Fisher’s excellent placing in his season finale produced Connecticut’s first NXN AllAmerican since 2007. ~ Rich Gonzalez, PrepCalTrack

Year, she concluded her prep volleyball career with 1,002 kills and will graduate as a four-time NEPSAC champion.

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

Ellis has maintained a weighted 3.08 GPA in the classroom. She has signed a written letter of athletic aid to play volleyball at the University of Mississippi this fall.

CEXEMPLARY CHARACTER

Ellis has volunteered locally at Tim Tebow’s Night to Shine, a prom experience for students with special needs. She has also donated her time on behalf of her school’s Building One Community holiday event, which distributes food and gifts to families in need.

aroline definitely has the heaviest arm in the state. Offensively, she’s a huge threat who draws a lot of attention from blockers, which makes the rest of her teammates have a lot more success because teams are so focused on her. She’s a complete and wellrounded six-rotation outside hitter. ~ Mark ‘Frog’ Ogilvie, Head Coach, St. Luke’s School

BASEBALL

Tam is the most resilient person I’ve ever met. He welcomes the challenge of a hard training session, a surprise extra rep, the steepest hill and an intense competition. Tam embodies the spirit of the sport. He always brings his best self to races, and in addition to achieving incredible success individually, he’s a consummate teammate. ~ Patrick Rielly, Head Coach, Phillips Andover

TAM

GAVENAS ’25

Phillips Academy Andover Andover, Massachusetts

ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE

The 5-foot-7, 120-pound senior won the national Foot Locker Cross Country Championships this past season with a time of 15:23.90, becoming the state’s first winner at the event since 1997 and breaking the tape four seconds ahead of his next-closest competitor. Gavenas also won the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council Championship with a time of 15:01, leading the Big Blue to second place as a team. The state’s returning Gatorade Boys Cross Country Player of the Year, he set four course records in 2024 and was also named the COROS XC Athlete of the Year.

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

Gavenas has maintained an A average in the classroom. He will attend Harvard University this fall, where he will run cross country and track.

EXEMPLARY CHARACTER

Gavenas has volunteered locally with the Mass. Audubon Society and founded the Lunar Plexi organization, which completes environmental projects inspired by cross country running. He has also interned with the New York Historical Society.

BRADLEY

MCCAFFERTY ’26

Austin Prep Reading, Massachusetts

ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE

The 6-foot-1, 195-pound junior catcher led the Cougars to a 20-2 record this past season. McCafferty batted .367 with two home runs, 23 RBI and 22 runs scored, posting a .474 on-base percentage, .550 slugging percentage and 1.024 OPS. He also threw out 36.8 percent of wouldbe base-stealers, cutting down seven runners in 19 attempts. A two-time All-New England Preparatory School Athletic Council selection, McCafferty is ranked as New England’s No. 4 prospect in the Class of 2026 by Prep Baseball Report and No. 3 in Massachusetts by Perfect Game.

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

McCafferty has maintained a 3.47 weighted GPA in the classroom. He has verbally committed to play baseball at Duke University beginning in the fall of 2026.

EXEMPLARY CHARACTER

McCafferty has volunteered locally at a rehabilitation center and as a youth baseball coach.

McCafferty was very good against us. He’s a stud and a very good player. First-class kid as well. ~ Tim Mitropolous, Head Coach, Phillips Exeter

CAMDYN NELSON ’25

St. Luke’s School

New Canaan, Connecticut

ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE

The 5-foot-8 senior guard had led the Storm (15-11) to the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council Class B championship game this past season. Nelson averaged 17.2 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 2.7 steals, shooting 39 percent from beyond the arc. The 2023-24 NEPSAC Class B Player of the Year, she’s ranked as the No. 91 player in the Class of 2025 by 247Sports.

LAUREN BOUSQUET ’26

Moses Brown School

Providence, Rhode Island

ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE

At the time of her selection, the 5-foot-10 junior guard had led the Quakers to an 19-3 record and the quarterfinals of the state tournament. Bousquet averaged 23.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.5 steals, 2.1 assists and 1.8 blocks through 22 games. She is an 80.9 percent free throw shooter and led the state in scoring entering the round of eight.

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

Bousquet has maintained a 3.42 GPA in the classroom. She will begin her senior year of high school this fall.

EXEMPLARY CHARACTER

Bousquet has volunteered locally for Providence elementary schools by helping students with their classwork. She has also donated her time as a youth leader in her church community, through which she has performed traditional ceremonial dances for the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church festival.

Lauren dominates the game—she’s a rebounding machine, can finish at the basket in many ways, and is a matchup nightmare. Her physicality is gamechanging. She is a commanding presence on the floor at both ends. ~ Frank Kiser, Head Coach, La Salle Academy

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

Nelson has maintained a B-plus average in the classroom. She has signed a written letter of athletic aid to play basketball at Syracuse University this fall.

SEXEMPLARY CHARACTER

Nelson has volunteered locally by helping organize both clothing and food drives for local homeless shelters. She has also launched her own basketball training program for youth players.

he gets it done on both ends of the floor. There are games where she’s out there running the team and getting everybody involved, and there are games where she can score 30 points. ~ Scotty Nails, Head CoachHopkins School

CHRISTINA PHAM ’25

Noble & Greenough School

Dedham, Massachusetts

ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE

The 5-foot-6 senior guard led the Bulldogs (29-2) to the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council Class AAA title game this past season. Pham averaged 18.6 points. 5.4 assists, 5 rebounds and 3 steals and shot 45 percent from beyond the arc. A four-time All-New England selection, she was named 2024-25 MVP of New England’s Independent School League.

PPrep Girls Hoops ranks her as New England’s No. 3 prospect in the Class of 2025.

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

Pham has maintained an A-minus average in the classroom. She has signed a written letter of athletic aid to play basketball at Fairfield University this fall.

EXEMPLARY CHARACTER

Pham has volunteered locally through her AAU program, Shooting Touch, coaching youth basketball players in Boston. She has also donated her time as part of a service-mission to Rwanda.

ham hit three big dagger 3-pointers against us. She never lets up, she competes all game long. She’s the straw that stirs the drink for Nobles. ~ Dan Sullivan, Head Coach, Worcester Academy

ELYSE

NGENDA ’26

New Hampton School

New Hampton, New Hampshire

ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE

The 5-foot-9 junior guard led the Huskies (19-9) to the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council Class AAA semifinals this past season. Ngenda averaged 16.5 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.9 assists and shot 55 percent from beyond the arc. A finalist for NEPSAC Class

SAAA Player of the Year, Ngenda is ranked as New England’s No. 4 player in her class by Prep Girls Hoops.

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

Ngenda has maintained a 3.57 GPA in the classroom. She will begin her senior year of high school this fall.

EXEMPLARY CHARACTER

he can do everything for them. She defends, shoots, runs their offense—she can do it all. I thought she was the one who made that team go. ~ Kristen Campopiano, Head Coach, Dexter-Southfield School

The president of her school’s Student-Athletes of Christian Fellowship, Ngenda has volunteered locally as a youth basketball instructor. She has also served as her class president, and is also a member of New Hampton’s Black Affinity Group.

BOYS BASKETBALL

EBUKA OKORIE ’25

Brewster Academy

Wolfeboro, New Hampshire

ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE

At the time of his selection, the 6-foot-2, 175-pound senior guard had led the Bobcats to a 27-4 record and an invitation to the Chipotle High School Basketball Nationals scheduled for early April. Okorie averaged 13.1 points per game this past season, shooting 54.5 percent from the floor and 38.5 percent from beyond the arc. A third-team Nike EYBL Scholastic Conference selection, he’s ranked as

Othe No. 11 prospect in New England in the Class of 2025 by the New England Recruiting Report.

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

Okorie has maintained a 4.0 GPA in the classroom. He has signed a written letter of athletic aid to play basketball at Stanford this fall.

EXEMPLARY CHARACTER

Okorie has volunteered locally with the Thank You Project, a nonprofit that raises money to supply clean drinking water and educational scholarships to citizens of Nigeria. He has also donated his time at a local soup kitchen.

korie is a combo guard and a very consistent shooter. He impacts winning and his shooting percentages jump out at you. He was very close to being a 5040-90 (shooting percentage) guy for us. He’s going to be a very good player at the next level. ~ Jason Smith, Head Coach - Brewster Academy

JAYLEN HARRELL ’25

CATS Academy

Braintree, Massachusetts

ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE

The 6-foot-6, 200-pound senior wing led the Griffins to a 28-7 record and a runner-up finish in the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council Class AA tournament this past season. Harrell averaged 22.1 points. 8.5 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game. The 2023-24 Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year, he was a two-time First Team Class AA selection and a First Team All-New England Basketball League selection this winter. He is ranked as the No. 85 prospect in the Class of 2025

GIRLS SOCCER

LAUREN

CHRISTY ’25

Brewster Academy

Hby 247Sports and New England’s No. 4 prospect in the Class of 2025 by the New England Recruiting Report.

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

Harrell has maintained a B average in the classroom. He has signed a written letter of athletic aid to play basketball at Providence College this fall.

EXEMPLARY CHARACTER

Harrell has volunteered locally at the Tobin Community Center in Roxbury.

e had them playing at a high level. He reminds me of (former Celtics player) Antoine Walker. He can go inside, outside, has a good body and plays a physical style. He has performed well against the best teams, and that’s what I look at. ~ Jeff Gore, Head Coach - Brewster Academy

Wolfeboro, New Hampshire

ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE

The 5-foot-4 senior midfielder scored 23 goals and passed for 26 assists this past season, leading the Bobcats (16-3) to the New England Prep School Athletic Council Class C tournament championship game. A three-time NEPSAC All-Star, Christy is a two-time Boston Globe All-Scholastic selection. She concluded her prep soccer career with 73 goals and 71 assists.

LBOYS TRACK & FIELD

JALEN BENNETT ’25

Phillips Exeter Academy

Exeter, New Hampshire

ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE

The 5-foot-8, 155-pound senior sprinter earned All-American status in the 400-meter dash at the Nike Outdoor Nationals this past season, and his seventh-place time of 47.32 seconds set a state record and ranked No. 99 nationally among prep boys competitors this spring. Bennett set a meet record in the 200-meter dash at the New England Prep School Track Association Division I Championships this past season, repeating as champion with a time of 21.29 seconds. Bennett also won a second straight 100 dash crown at the meet while helping the Big Red 4x100and 4x400-meter relay quartets break the tape in those races. He earned meet MVP honors and led Phillips Exeter to the team title.

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

Bennett has maintained a B-plus average in the classroom. He will attend Princeton University, where he will compete in track and field, beginning this fall.

EXEMPLARY CHARACTER

A Boston Globe All-Scholastic soccer player as well as a practiced drummer, Bennett has volunteered locally as part of multiple community service initiatives through his church.

JACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

Christy has maintained a 3.58 weighted GPA in the classroom. She has signed a written letter of athletic aid to play soccer at Syracuse University this fall.

EXEMPLARY CHARACTER

A dorm proctor at Brewster, Christy has volunteered locally with Best Buddies and Morgan’s Message, a program designed to take the stigma out of mental health issues among athletes. She has also donated her time as a youth soccer coach and camp counselor.

auren is the best player we’ve played against in the last four years. She has all the key qualities of an attacking midfield player. She can break the press with her dribbling, create scoring opportunities for herself and teammates and has a wide array of passing ability. ~ Conor O’Meara, Head Coach - Holderness School

alen was extraordinary this spring. What’s most impressive about Jaylen is that he has been an outstanding runner for years now, and yet he just keeps improving, setting new personal records and reminding us that we don’t know his ceiling yet. ~ Keri Lambert, Head Coach, Phillips Andover Academy

Note: The girls track & field state winners had not been announced by press time.

BOYS SOCCER

PRESTON ALESSIO ’25

Taft School

Watertown, Connecticut

ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE

The 5-foot-8, 165-pound senior midfielder and forward led the Rhinos to a 17-31 record and the program’s first NEPSAC Class A state championship this past season. Alessio scored 16 goals and passed for 14 assists, netting the game-winning goal as Taft beat Milton Academy, 2-1, in the state title game. The NEPSAC Class A and New England Soccer Journal Prep Player of the Year, he was also a 2024 United Soccer Coaches All-American selection.

PACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

Alessio has maintained a 95.2 average in the classroom. He has signed a written letter of athletic aid to play soccer at the University of Connecticut this fall.

EXEMPLARY CHARACTER

Alessio has volunteered locally with Community Dining Room, an organization that focuses on providing food and support to people in need. He has also donated his time with the Boys and Girls Club as an assistant counselor, helping organize and play games with young people in his community.

reston was able to prove his worth as a top player in Connecticut, not only his individual abilities, but his ability to make players around him better. Individually he can affect the game in so many different ways. His one-on-one game, his combination play or his IQ and off-ball movement allow him to get into overload situations that have led to so many points. But what makes him stand out is the way he makes his whole team better. He does all the dirty work as well defending both sides of the ball, running off the ball and was a great leader for a team that won the NEPSAC Class A championship. ~ Scott Halpern, Head Coach, Loomis Chaffee School

JOSH PARTAL ’25

Milton Academy

Milton, Massachusetts

ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE

The 6-foot-1, 175-pound senior midfielder scored seven goals and passed for eight assists this past season, leading the Mustangs (18-2-2) to the New England Prep School Athletic Council Class A Tournament championship game. The Independent School League Player of the Year, Partal was a United Soccer Coaches High School All-American selection and participated in the High School

JAll-American Game in December. He is ranked as the nation’s No. 56 recruit in the Class of 2025 by PrepSoccer.com.

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

Partal has maintained an A average in the classroom. He has signed a written letter of athletic aid to play soccer at Stanford University this fall.

EXEMPLARY CHARACTER

Partal is a member of the Milton Academy Science Olympiad team and co-head of the MicroFinance Club. He has volunteered locally as a youth soccer coach.

osh just controls the game from minute one to minute 90. He never plays a bad pass and is silky smooth on the ball. His game awareness is uncanny for such a young player. ~ Joe Campbell, Head Coach, Buckingham, Browne & Nichols School

2024–2025 Winners At a Glance

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY

Alexander Fisher, Loomis Chaffee School

Tam Gavenas, Phillips Academy Andover FOOTBALL

Blake Hebert, Brunswick School

BOYS SOCCER

Preston Alessio, Taft School

Francis Bonsu, Millbrook School

Josh Partal, Milton Academy

GIRLS SOCCER

Lauren Christy, Brewster Academy VOLLEYBALL

Caroline Ellis, King School

BOYS BASKETBALL

Jaylen Harrell, CATS Academy

Ebuka Okorie, Brewster Academy

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Lauren Bousquet, Moses Brown School

FRANCIS BONSU ’25

Millbrook School

Millbrook, New York

ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE

The 5-foot-9, 137-pound senior forward and midfielder led the Mustangs to a 9-7-1 record this past season, scoring 27 goals in 17 games. A three-time All-New England Prep School Athletic Council Class C selection, Bonsu participated in the High School All-American Game in December. Ranked as the nation’s No. 7 recruit in the Class of 2025 by PrepSoccer.com, he concluded his three-year prep career at Millbrook with 101 goals.

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

Bonsu has maintained a B average in the classroom. He has signed a written letter of athletic aid to play soccer at UCLA this fall.

EXEMPLARY CHARACTER

An exchange student from the Right to Dream Academy in Ghana, Bonsu has volunteered locally in the Millbrook School mailroom, and he has also donated his time to the Trevor-Lovejoy Zoo caring for the animals and their facilities.

With a flick of the ball or a viciously curling shot off his boot, Francis consistently created moments of magic on the field, neutralizing what opposing teams had prepared for him through his rare combination of technical skill, pace and athleticism. He was mercurial throughout the year, delivering flashes of brilliance that drew admiration from everyone in attendance and reliably producing something special out of nothing. ~ Mario Williams, Head Coach, Hotchkiss School

Camdyn Nelson, St. Luke’s School

Elyse Ngenda, New Hampton School

Christina Pham, Noble & Greenough School BASEBALL

Bradley McCafferty, Austin Prep

BOYS TRACK & FIELD

Jalen Bennett, Phillips Exeter Academy

Robby Lingashi to Open Squash Academy in Zambia

by Jackie Pisani

Boys’ varsity squash coach Robby Lingashi, originally from Zambia, is bringing his passion for the sport and education back to his hometown with the launch of the Lingashi Squash Academy. This initiative, set to function as an after-school program, aims to provide local children with athletic training while fostering academic growth. The academy will also provide food to the students, many of whom only have one meal in three days.

Lingashi, who grew up in Kalulushi, a town in the province of Copperbelt, known for its, you guessed it, copper mining industry, recalls an era in the ‘70s when companies heavily invested in community sports facilities. “When I was growing up, there were opportunities for kids to engage in sports after school—soccer fields, tennis courts, squash clubs, basketball courts,” he said. “But now, those companies are no longer there, and the facilities have become dormant.”

Lingashi benefited from the corporations’ community-funded programs by playing squash in his hometown. “I had a fantastic childhood because of these opportunities,” he said. “ I want to bring that back and help the kids in my hometown,” he explained. Over time, he excelled in the sport, and by the time he was 14, he started representing Zambia internationally in the juniors and seniors program. Lingashi said when he was a child, his role model

was Simon Gondwe, one of the first African squash players. From that inspiration, Lingashi went on to become the 60th-ranked squash player in the world, and he hopes that the students in his academy will view him as similar to current-day Gondwe.

His academy is a means of giving back to his community, which gave him his foundation. “I want them to have hope and dream,” he said. “I want them to know that they don’t have to end up in a small town. There is more of the world, and everything is connected. It’s to give them a path. And who knows what this can tap into and develop? They can go into any trade they want to do. You never know what can happen.”

The Lingashi Squash Academy, projected to open in June, will begin by selecting 10 students from each of six middle schools and three high schools, totaling 60 children in its first cohort. The program is not solely focused on squash—it integrates education, ensuring that children receive assistance with homework, reading, and other academic activities.

“We want to detect at an early age what the kids are good at— whether it’s sports, art, or science—so they can develop their talents,” Lingashi stated. “Not everyone will be great at math or squash, but every child deserves an opportunity to pursue what excites them.”

Photos courtesy Kingswood Oxford School

Lingashi has personally funded the project, investing in 150 squash rackets, 40 desks and chairs, and various school supplies. Over the past five years, he has worked diligently to gather resources, using his own earnings to build a foundation for the academy.

The academy will utilize and lease the existing squash courts in Lingashi’s hometown. These courts were initially built by corporate investors in the 1970s but have since fallen into disrepair. He plans to lease and refurbish these facilities, ensuring they are usable for training and competition.

His brother, a fellow squash enthusiast, will serve as the academy’s director, overseeing daily operations in Zambia while Lingashi continues his coaching career abroad. He will also hire local coaches and establish a committee to maintain and grow the program. The Squash Association of Zambia and the National Sport of Zambia, which the government runs, have also contacted Lingashi about this venture to ensure its success.

Lingashi’s return to Zambia coincides with a historic moment for squash: squash will be included in the Olympics for the first time in 2028.

“The government does support sports, but they need to see the program’s seriousness first,” Lingashi explained. “Soccer dominates Zambia’s sports culture, but once people see the impact of squash, I believe support will grow.”

With 60% of Zambia’s population being relatively young (ages 18-35) and the country experiencing economic growth due to increasing foreign investment in mining and technology, Lingashi sees this as the perfect time to launch his academy.

“Kids in Zambia don’t always have the privileges that kids in wealthier countries do,” he noted. “For many, a program like this means more than just playing squash—it’s about getting a meal, gaining an education, and finding hope for a better future.”

Although the academy will start small, Lingashi is optimistic about its future growth. He hopes that donors and sponsors will step in to provide additional support once the program gains traction. In the meantime, he is in the process of establishing a non-profit organization to facilitate funding.

“There’s a lot of potential in Zambia, but you have to tap into that,” he said. “If you put up the right channels, it’s amazing what kids can do. It’s my belief that you can be anything. It’s just that you need a little bit of push.”

TEACHING DOESN’T STOP AT 3 P.M. Life Lessons

From Coaches

by Leslie Virostek

This article first appeared in the Spring 2025 Choate Rosemary Hall Bulletin

from left to right: Piper Cameron ’25, Head of Student and Academic Life

Jenny Elliott, Vishnu Palreddy ’25, Coach Fran O’Donoghue, Coach Jim Davidson, Coach Ben Small, Coach Will Morris, Coach Nolan Silbernagel, Director of Athletics Tom White, Kameron Mohammed ’25, Coach Charlie Fuentes, Annie Cady ’26, Coach Tiffany Rivera, Coach Stephanie Neul, Lola Wennmachers ’25

Daily practice sessions. Long bus rides. Pre-game rituals and post-game debriefings. In season, many Choate Rosemary Hall students spend a great deal of time in the company of their coaches, creating a strong sense of familiarity and conferring opportunities for observation and conversation. In addition to a student’s strengths as an athlete, a coach is likely to know what their favorite class is, what kind of food they like, what music they listen to, and who their best friends are.

Kameron Mohammed ’25 and Coach Charlie Fuentes

WHAT IS IT ABOUT COACHES?

“Any great coach is a great educator,” says Director of Athletics Tom White. “These are people who love working with kids, who can meet them where they are, and who know how to connect and communicate with them.”

He notes that coaches concern themselves with the development of the whole person, not just the athlete.

Choate coaches are characteristically thoughtful and intentional about their role. Fran O’Donoghue, who has coached numerous sports, including field hockey, girls lacrosse, softball, and cross country, says, “My number one agenda is to build kids’ self-confidence in terms of their ability to know themselves and be able to take on challenges.” She doesn’t want to see overconfidence or false bravado. Rather, she is trying to nurture confidence and self-awareness that are “based on having worked hard, set goals, and worked to attain them.”

Ben Small, whose coaching experience at Choate includes nearly three decades of guiding varsity divers, says,

“My job is to develop students as athletes and young adults: How to handle adversity, how to push themselves, how to be part of a team, how to show leadership, and communicate, and be supportive of one another — and to provide another venue to explore themselves and their interests.”

Students experience a wide range of emotions on the playing fields — more so than in Choate’s classrooms — and coaches are there to share in moments of elation, camaraderie, heartbreak, vulnerability, and frustration, as well as levity and silliness.

Tiffany Rivera coaches track and field and girls varsity basketball. She’s also a psychology teacher and member of the counseling team. Beyond providing support for her team members in practice or after a tough competition, she seeks to help them develop appropriate coping mechanisms and

healthy responses to difficult situations. She says, “I’m trying to build my players’ emotional intelligence, and not just their basketball IQ.”

Virtually every Choate student participates in athletics, but few will become professional athletes. Only some will play in college. But everyone benefits from social interaction and physical activity. That is something Will Morris, a longtime coach of boys varsity squash, among other sports, keeps in mind when he is trying to create positive team experiences for his athletes. Ideally, our graduates will want to replicate those experiences when they leave Choate, he says, noting, “We want to give students the tools to live healthy lives.”

Jim Davidson, who has coached girls varsity basketball, cross country, and track and field for more than three decades, concurs. He says, “There are so many aspects of sports that are fulfilling and fun that I hope will inspire our students to be active their whole lives.”

Former teacher and coach, the late Mark Tuttle, with Coach Jim Davidson who has coached three sports for more than three decades.

LEARNING LIFE LESSONS

Students say they derive a variety of life lessons from their coaches’ methods and expectations. Lola Wennmachers ’25 notes that members of the crew team are expected to take responsibility for such tasks as loading and unloading boats and rigging and derigging them. Coach Stephanie Neul emphasizes the value of teamwork on land and on the water, handling equipment with care, and representing Choate positively on the preseason trip to Florida and everywhere. “Coach Neul specifically makes a big effort to ensure we are really polite to other people and behave with respect,” says Wennmachers. “She leads with a lot of attention, and she’s very thoughtful in terms of how she runs the program.”

Annie Cady ’26 states that her swimming coach, Nolan Silbernagel, “teaches us indirectly what hard work is how to put in the work and how that directly relates to an outcome that’s positive most of the time.” But

“Coaches are willing to learn themselves,” she says. “They are willing to think about: What does it look like for everyone to do this together? Is each athlete going to succeed the best they can?”

Before varsity volleyball players step onto the court, Coach David Loeb asks them to gather themselves completely and be prepared to give 100 percent for their team and themselves.

Piper Cameron ’25 says this has helped her to approach experiences in sports, in the classroom, and in other settings with intentionality and purpose. Cameron’s ice hockey coach, Tom White, has a similar method but a different expectation for his JV players, who are still developing their skills in the sport. Says Cameron, “We set an intention before every game, and it’s to learn and have fun.”

She has appreciated how her coaches have demon

Coach Ben Small and Vishnu Palreddy ’25

ENDURING FRIENDSHIPS

Head of Student and Academic Life Jenny Elliott, an assistant coach for girls varsity squash, believes that coaches represent timeless Choate values. “Our school community centers relationships,” she says. “We know that our students are able to thrive, take risks, and grow when they feel seen, valued and supported by the adults around them. Coaching offers adults opportunities every day to build lifelong relationships with young people. These bonds serve our students during their time at Choate and, in so many cases, in the years and decades beyond their Choate experience.”

Katie Vitali Childs ’95 is among the many alumni who can attest to the enduring influence and importance of their former coaches. She first met Coach Todd Currie as a third former on the varsity swimming and water polo teams. He became such a positive presence and trusted figure that she asked him to be her adviser, a role he served for the rest of her Choate experience.

In 2022, decades after graduation and a distinguished career as a college water polo player and member of the U.S. Junior National Team, Childs came back to Choate to coach water polo. Though Childs, who was inducted into the Choate Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010, had expert knowledge of the sport, there was much to learn about the logistics and intangibles of helming a team at her alma mater. But her old mentor was ready to help. Currie, who had stepped down from coaching a few years earlier, came back to the program.

“He had some great guidance for me,” says Childs of her former coach who is now her assistant. “To have support like that — it really is something special.”

Howard Allen still keeps in touch with her Choate coaches, noting that her admiration for them inspired her to become a coach herself. Among other things, her Choate coaches taught her about putting the team first and how to be a selfless leader. Though she’s currently a small business owner, she coached at Choate from 2005 to 2007 and also served as a college coach for many years. She says, “I knew my coaches at Choate had had such a deep impact on my life, and I wanted to be that for someone else.”

Howard Allen says the influence of coaches cannot be overstated. “You’re a teenager, and those are some pretty important years you’re spending with those role models,” she says. “They’re the ones that dare you to dream and then help you accomplish your goals by working hard and being determined. I’m forever grateful.”

Coach Katie Vitali Childs ’95 and Coach Todd Currie

Creating Healthy Habits for Rumsey Hall Student Athletes

by Nicole Pease P’30, ’34, Athletic Trainer

At Rumsey Hall, being an athlete is more than just competing it’s about learning to balance academics, extracurricular activities, and social life while fostering habits that promote lifelong well-being. To thrive in this dynamic environment, our students focus on rest and recovery, maintaining a nutritious diet, and managing their various responsibilities effectively. These practices not only contribute to individual success but also to the strength of our teams and community.

One often-overlooked pillar of student life is the importance of proper rest and recovery. With early mornings, rigorous academics, and extracurricular commitments, it’s easy for students to fall short on sleep. At Rumsey Hall, we prioritize teaching students the value of rest, which is fundamental for cognitive function, emotional well-being, and overall health. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends 9–12 hours of sleep per night for children ages 6–12 and 8–10 hours for teens aged 13–18. Consistent sleep patterns support memory, mood regulation, and physical recovery. To help foster good sleep habits, we’ve introduced initiatives through our cell phone policy, which includes a “tech closet” a dedicated space where students can store their phones during the day and overnight. By stepping away from screens, students can truly rest and recharge, both mentally and physically.

Balancing activities is another critical component of a healthy lifestyle. At Rumsey, we encourage students to explore diverse interests from academics to athletics and beyond but we also emphasize the importance of balance. Overcommitting can lead to stress and burnout. Our faculty and advisors work closely with students to teach effective time management skills, helping them prioritize tasks, set realistic goals, and find time to recharge. Students learn to advocate for themselves, say “no” when necessary, and seek support when they need it.

Nutrition is equally vital to the wellbeing and performance of our students. Rumsey Hall partners with CulinArt, our dining services provider, to offer nutritious, thoughtfully curated menus that fuel both RUMSEY

body and mind. From colorful, balanced meals to engaging “popup” events and “try it” opportunities, students are encouraged to explore and enjoy a variety of healthy foods. Whether tasting a new vegetable or enjoying a farm-to-table option, Rumsey students learn that good nutrition is both accessible and enjoyable. By prioritizing sleep, maintaining balance, and embracing healthy eating, Rumsey Hall students are set up to thrive in all aspects of their lives. These habits enhance academic performance, bolster athletic achievement, and enrich the overall school experience, leaving our students energized and fulfilled.

For All Rumsey Hall Families, Students, and Alumni

CONSISTENT

While these principles are particularly important for our student athletes, they benefit everyone in our community. Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, alum, faculty, or staff member, embracing healthy habits can transform your daily life. Prioritize rest, find balance, and fuel your body with nutritious foods. Together, as a Rumsey family, let’s commit to a lifestyle that supports longterm health, happiness, and success.

Nicole Pease with a student. Photo courtesy Rumsey Hall School

A Focus on Culture: The Building of a Lacrosse Community

Dave Madeira

by Jer Shipman ’00

When Dave Madeira ’99 was driving west to take over as the executive director of the Jackson Hole Lacrosse Club, he called Coach Lars Tiffany—his former coach at Brown University and the current coach at the University of Virginia to ask for advice. “Focus on the culture,” he told Dave. It would take years for Dave to appreciate the scope and full extent of this advice, but as he approaches his seventh season as director of the club, this advice continues to guide his approach to leadership and coaching.

Dave Madeira’s passion for athletics started early. When he joined the sixth-grade class at Cardigan in 1995, soccer was his sport of choice, with skiing following as a close second. Then when the spring athletic season came around, and his friends were playing lacrosse, Dave decided he would too. By his ninth-grade year, he was a tri-varsity athlete, and the Varsity Soccer Team won the Eaglebrook tournament.

His athletic strengths continued to develop at Holderness School, where he was a two-time captain of their lacrosse team and was named All-New England and a High School All-American.

He was also selected to the North-South HS All Star game in 2003, where he was the leading scorer. Never giving up on his first love, he also captained the Holderness soccer team that won two New England championships during his time.

It was not until college that Dave’s primary focus became lacrosse. He went to Brown University, where he was a four-year starter at attack, led the team in goals for three years, and was named co-captain and offensive MVP his senior year. He was a two-time All-Ivy and All-New England athlete and was named to the 2000–09 Brown All-Decade team.

If you ask Dave why he chose lacrosse, he’ll tell you about the relatively small tight-knit community surrounding the sport and the historic roots it has in Native American religion. He’ll also tell you about the coaches and teammates who have become his mentors and friends and have impacted his life’s work.

“When I graduated from Brown and stopped playing, I started coaching because I missed the sport so much,” he recalls. Even as he took on jobs in construction and commercial real estate in Bozeman, Montana and Norfolk, Virginia, he used vacation

time to return to the Northeast to coach at lacrosse camps, including Cardigan’s summer lacrosse camp under the direction of his former Holderness coach Bob Low.

IN LACROSSE, THE CALL “ONE MORE” TELLS A PLAYER TO LOOK UP AND MAKE

THE

EXTRA

PASS;

IF YOU’RE

WORKING ON

BUILDING A TEAM CULTURE, IT CAN ALSO BE A CALL TO GIVE THAT LITTLE BIT OF EXTRA EFFORT TO SEPARATE YOURSELF

Eventually, Dave wasn’t satisfied with coaching lacrosse as a side gig. When he and his wife moved to New York City, where his wife had accepted a job, Dave switched gears and accepted a job as the director of events for Trilogy Lacrosse, overseeing and running all event operations for their tournaments and spring break training programs. Then in 2018, when Dave and his wife decided to get out of the city and start a family, the Jackson Hole Lacrosse Club (JHLC) welcomed his expertise, so they headed west again.

FROM YOUR COMPETITION, SUCH AS ONE MORE SPRINT OR PUSHUP.”

DAVE MADEIRA ’99

enrolled in the program each year. The Jackson Hole Boys High School Team has won the last two Idaho HS State Championships, while the Girls High School Team has won two out of the last three Montana State Championships. The first NCAA Division I male players from Jackson Hole matriculated to Princeton University and Hobart College this fall, and three more players originating from JHLC will be playing Division I next fall. The first female NCAA Division I commits from Wyoming and Jackson also occurred this fall.

Looking back over the past six years, Dave recognizes how naive he was when he first moved to Jackson Hole: “I thoughtI knew everything there was to know about how small ski towns work and figured I could just run clinics, and the program would build itself.” But thousands of miles away from his tight network of lacrosse mentors and colleagues, it wasn’t quite that simple.

First, there were practical hurdles to overcome. “In Wyoming, there’s no history of lacrosse, and the program takes place outside of the public school system,” he says. “That means lacrosse takes athletes away from the traditional sports; plus there are too many other fun things to do here and the kids have to make hard choices.”As a young program, Dave had trouble getting athletes to commit and make lacrosse a priority.

“I realized the kids needed to love the sport, they needed a positive feedback loop that would keep them engaged,” he says. And for that he had to dig deep; he became a student, relying on the wisdom of his former coaches as well as the greats, including Sports Illustrated journalist E.M. Swift and Coaching for Champions author Doug Lemov. Fun became important, as well as the leadership of the older players, who helped provide continuity and connection from one year to the next.

Dave also relied on traditions to help build the new lacrosse community. With the mantras of his former coaches ringing in his ears, Dave considered his options, knowing that for a new tradition to stick, it needed to come from his athletes. One particular mantra that he learned as a young player took on special significance in 2022, when one of the JHLC coaches was killed in a skiing accident. “In lacrosse, the call ‘one more’ tells a player to look up and make the extra pass; if you’re working on building a team culture, it can also be a call to give that little bit of extra effort to separate yourself from your competition, such as one more sprint or pushup,”explains Dave. “When Rad Spencer died, our mantra became ‘One more for Rad.’” The mantra has stuck and is printed on the backs of the athletes’ jerseys each year.

Today, JHLC offers a spring and fall season for boys and girls from first grade through high school. Over 300 athletes are now

Dave’s family has grown to include three boys (ages four years, two years, and four months), so his time to dedicate to JHLC is no longer unlimited. And while he still hopes for winning seasons for his teams, his goals have evolved. “It’s unclear how much better we will get, so we keep thinking about other metrics,” he says.“Sportsmanship? Impact on kids? How do we make it a special and transformative experience? And how do we know if we have achieved that?” It’s a lot to ponder, but one thing is for certain; the culture, the community at the center, is more important than ever.

Reprinted from the Winter 2025 Issue of the Cardigan Chronicle

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Looking Back on 55 Years of the Emily C. Thompson Activities Center

Brimmer and May School’s Hardwood Haven

by Joseph Iuliano P ’14, ’15, ’18, Assistant Head of Academic Affairs

Photos courtesy of Brimmer and May

School

For the past 54 years, the Thompson Activities Center—the gym—has hovered conspicuously over the landscape at the western edge of the Brimmer and May School campus, a mash up of a faux, faux-Modernist chapel and a New England state park camp pavilion. While it has frequently provoked quizzical, wry, and censorial looks from passersby and attracted the interest of parkour and skateboarding enthusiasts with visions of scaling or surfing its urban-alpine rooftop, it is manifestly our gym. This iconic structure has, year after year for more

than half a century, anchored Brimmer’s athletics program: team practices for every sport ever offered and competitive games for basketball and volleyball, PE classes for energetic students in grades PK-6, and muscle mass-building reps and cardio health training in the fitness center. All of this, yes…and so much more.

From the spinning globe of the larger sports world—from Yaz and Orr to Lobo, Raisman, and Brady—and from the singlegender version to the all-gender version of Brimmer and May, the Thompson gym has stood firmly and housed not only our

athletic program but also essentially much of our student life, contributing uniquely and significantly to the culture and climate of the School. The Thompson gym has been a hub of communal activity, spinning like the Earth itself on an axis of school spirit with athletics at the North Pole and a multiplicity of school events at the South Pole.

Above: John Welter ’97 tests the height of the gym roof in 1997

Opposite: Construction begins in the spring of 1969 with a groundbreaking ceremony

Beyond its paramount role in athletics, the gym has been host to a plethora of community events: the Development Office’s Spring Auction and Game Night fundraisers, the Parents Association Summer Reading Book Sale, the Admissions Office Pizza Party welcoming new Lower School students, multiple theater performances—before we had the Ruth Corkin Theatre (1998) and before the fitness center remodeling (2015)—too many Middle School Dances (I personally supervised/survived 30 of them during my 10 years as Middle School Head) and

Upper School Dances (retired Lower School Head Thomas Fuller attended a dance in the Thompson gym when he was a student at Kimball Union!), Lower School Closing Ceremonies, Summer Camp Athletic Activities, and on and on to nose-swabbing during the pandemic and Saturday morning old man basketball games.

Despite seeing consistent 12-hours-aday usage throughout the years, the gym has held up remarkably well over time, though not without its share of wear and tear: faulty HVAC, shattered windows, and crater-pocked walls—the latter the result of students’ errant ball throwing while practicing field sports (baseball, softball, lacrosse) indoors during wintertime preseason workouts or inclement springtime weather. Undeserved punishment, this, for

Opposite page, top: Activities from basketball to dance filled the new gymnasium in the early 1970s; middle left: Performing a concert in 1985; middle right: Students in 1992; bottom left: Boys Soccer poses in 1994.

This page, top left: Longtime Athletic Director Jeff Gates P ’13, ’13, ’15, ’15 coaching students in the early 2000s; top right: Commencement 1986; above: Head of School Emily Thompson gets piped in by bagpipers ahead of the dedication ceremony of the new building named in her honor

its steadfast contributions to the Brimmer community.

The gym had a refresh a decade ago; interior walls were splashed anew with a fresh coat of paint and the lobby was recarpeted. The original gym floor was replaced, bringing life to every bounced ball and to the basketball keys and mid-court logo. The stage was replaced with a floorlevel fitness center and a new wall with netting to the ceiling was added. The locker rooms were refloored and refurbished. This remodel gave the Thompson gym new life, like adding sleek tires to a heavy-duty delivery van. We were sporty again.

People enter and exit the building through every door—those facing the Hastings Center offer easy access to the interior after one drops off equipment used for the outdoor sports, while those facing the parking lot offer both immediate entrance to the court and quick egress to a waiting bus, parent, guardian, or friend. When students and guests enter through the lobby, they may encounter Athletic Trainer Larry Stahley on the right, or their eyes may catch the trophy case brimming with awards from recent and ancient championships. If they look left, they will

The End of an Era

Trustee Leslie Stimmel Guggiari

’73 Reflects on Thompson

Gym Impact

What a difference a building can make in the life of a school. In my case, it was the construction of the Emily C. Thompson Activities Center in the early 1970s. It was soon to be known around the neighborhood and within the Brimmer and May community as the Flying Nun, as it so resembled the cap Sally Field wore in her 1960s TV series of the same name. The roof was pure white and shone brightly on Middlesex Road, but underneath that roof was an entire school coming together to strengthen its community. We gained not only a gym—with basketball courts, locker rooms, and offices for the Athletic Department—but a performance

stage as well. While the shape of the building did not work well for a stage curtain nor a backstage, we used it for every occasion: skits, plays, speeches, award ceremonies, and graduation. We even had our first invitational dances with boys’ schools, who bused their students to Chestnut Hill so we could finally socialize on our own campus. What a transformation!

We had the most modern gymnastics equipment for PE; I learned how to balance on the beam, jump on and off the pommel horse, and hold onto the rings. Our families could come to cheer us on as the first basketball teams played on a real court... with an electronic scoreboard. Imagine! It changed the life of the school, brought us closer together, and made us stronger. It was truly a building that had an impact. But now, 50 years later, it is time for a much-needed upgrade. RIP Flying Nun, you served us well.

spy the wall of plaques that is the School’s Athletic Hall of Fame—much of that fame earned in the very building. But when they enter center court and look directly ahead, they will see the sum of the School’s athletic success displayed in large letters and numbers and hanging confidently on the netting of the Fitness Center: our championship banners.

Retired Athletic Director Jeff Gates was the denizen and proprietor of the gym for 29 years. Like Scatman Crothers’ character Dick Hallorann in the movie The Shining, Mr. Gates has watched over the gym from time immemorial. He was the scheduler of all events athletic, summoner of referees, distributor of uniforms, keeper of the clock and scorebook, greeter of all and bouncer of some (mostly students who kept shooting too long after he had called for all to exit late on Friday evenings), coach of many teams, joyful teacher of Lower School PE, and cheerleader for all athletes no matter their skill or ability. Tom Nelson has taken on this role now, though he has spent more than a decade pacing the sidelines during basketball games and joyfully teaching Lower School PE himself. The building is the building, but the people are the building too: Mrs. Woods, Ms. Lin, and all the longtime coaches, too—Mr. Barker-Hook, Mr. Hardman, Mrs. Reardon (Ms. Stec), Mr. Slaski, Mr. Stratter, to name a few.

Thoughts of the gym bring to mind a mix of sensory experiences: the smell of the newly waxed floor; the feel of the steaming hot, humid, summertime air mass trapped between the hardwood of the floor and the hardwood of the ceiling (or during a near-fire-code-breaking crowd of 400 Middle School students dancing en masse to Britney Spears’ “Toxic”); the chill of the arctic air when the HVAC was off during an early morning practice; the sting of the sunshine knifing through the west-end windows just as one pulls up for a wing jump shot, an eye-blazing defender; the consternating acoustics that left most announcements half heard; the piles of student backpacks under the trophy case and engulfing the floorspace like a Vesuvian lava flow; the dull thud of a basketball dribbled onto a dead spot in the original floor; the clang of a shot off the rim or the swish of the ball through “nothing but net;” the thrill

of a front-row seat to every game; the earpiercing screams, laughter, cheering, and applause of the players, coaches, and fans; the sound of the whistles and of the horn ending the game…

Built of cinder block with a hyperbolic roof of wood and stained beams, lit with fluorescent bulbs, and climatecontrolled by a combination of open doors and a throaty heating system, the

Thompson Activities Center has served as a monument to Brimmer’s athletic successes and community cohesion. And, yes, everyone—students, faculty, staff, parents, alums—is excited and thankful for the prospect of a new, beautiful, spacious, well-appointed Recreation & Wellness Center to continue and grow what has been achieved on this parcel of the School for the past 50+ years.

Thank you to the Thompson Family for all the wonderment and fulfillment that this old iconic building has provided us. Thank you to the many donors who have given us the opportunity for “bigger and better,” for the resources our students need to thrive in the 21st century, for enabling us to build our community for 50 more years. The queen will be retired; long live the queen!

MARCH 2025: THE FINAL WALKTHROUGH

Clockwise from top left: Middle & Upper School students sign gym benches as keepsakes; (L-R) Director of Instructional Technology Jen Kunkel, Assistant Head of Academic Affairs Joe Iuliano P ’14, ’15, ’18, and Math Chair Nancy Bradley view the archival photo display; 3) Students stop by to say their final goodbyes to the Thompson Gymnasium and share some of their favorite memories.

Behind the window

Jacob Lacasse and Kevin Fay

by Daniella Vollinger

Behind the scenes, Stockroom Coordinators Jacob Lacasse and Kevin Fay manage all the moving parts that go into making practices and games at Deerfield run smoothly: They ensure that uniforms are cleaned and organized, that coaches have the necessary props, that equipment is in good condition, nets are ready for games, game clocks are working, visiting teams have assigned locker rooms, students are set to get on their buses, and more. From Monday through Saturday, either Kevin or Jake can be found in the stockroom bringing their “good Deerfield vibes,” ready to support cocurricular activities—not just teams—lending out ice skates in the winter and t-shirts, shorts, crewneck sweaters, and sweatpants to all students throughout the year. “We get to help the kids out with their sports gear, and we’re helping them out with some life skills as well, setting expectations

and responsibilities,” says Lacasse. “Uniforms are expensive, and when we hand them out, we expect them to come back.

And there are repercussions if they aren’t returned on time.”

Having been on similar life trajectories, Kevin and Jake, now in their mid-twenties, landed at Deerfield soon after graduating from their respective colleges. Both were high school and college athletes who realized that their boyhood dreams of playing professional sports were not realistic, so they opted to train for careers that would still keep them tied into athletics. “The stockroom coordinator position was kind of like the first open door for a college graduate, and I was looking for any opportunity in prep school athletics,” says Fay, who spent his younger years on Cushing Academy’s campus where his mother worked and where he later attended as a multi-sport athlete. There is even a photo

SPENCER KRUSE-MELFI

of him tackling a Deerfield student during a football game. Jake, a self-described sports equipment geek, heeded his mother’s early advice regarding his future. “In eighth grade, I started researching what colleges offered sports management, and basically from then on, I kind of had a plan for where I wanted to go,” he recalls.

WE TRY TO BE POSITIVE MENTORS FOR THE KIDS BECAUSE, BEING AWAY FROM THEIR FAMILIES, THEY CAN NEVER HAVE ENOUGH OF THOSE.

The team’s positive energy and cando attitude is appreciated by colleagues and students alike. “When you arrive at the stockroom window with questions, one always gets an answer and it’s delivered with a smile and enthusiasm,” observes Director of Athletics and Cocurricular Program Bob Howe. Varsity football Coach Brian Barbato agrees. “Kevin and Jake bring a welcoming smile and great energy to the window of the stockroom; they interact with our students and teams every day,” he adds, noting their dedication to evaluating best practices and their ability to meet ever-changing demands. “It has been great to see them deliver for the DA athletic community.”

JACOB LACASSE

small talk: How was your school day? How were your classes? What’s your homework looking like tonight? They really appreciate that, and you can tell just by how their faces light up sometimes when you just talk to them about that stuff,” says Lacasse, remembering how he valued the mentors he was fortunate enough to have during high school—especially those who made it a point to check in on him regularly. “I don’t necessarily think that it’s our [younger] age. I think just by us not being teachers or coaches, the kids feel like they can talk with us and there’s no expectation besides returning their jerseys and whatnots,” adds Fay.

Kevin and Jake also see themselves as role models and sounding boards, offering a space where students can have easy conversations. “We try to be positive mentors for the kids because, being away from their families, they can never have enough of those. So, we try to connect with them, and relate to things they’re talking about. I always ask them how their college applications are going—what they’re thinking about for college. Just simple

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Last fall, Jake received a birthday surprise: two huge poster boards signed by nearly 80 students. “They all signed it and wrote sweet notes. That was one of the happiest moments I have had here,” he says. Hidden under a hat on Kevin’s desk is a stack of thank you cards from students and teams that catch his eye from time to time. “When you’re having a tough day, it just makes things a whole lot better and puts into perspective that you are contributing to something really meaningful,” says Fay. “At the end of the day, we’re just doing our jobs so they can do theirs. But, you know, when you get that kind of recognition, it gives you the feeling that you belong.”

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Champions of Respect: Mike Eruzione ’73 Shares His Journey

Student Reflection: A Personal Account of an Inspiring Conversation

by Ryan Lewandowski ’25 | Photos by Berwick Academy Communications

Iwas honored to have the opportunity to facilitate a community conversation with Mike Eruzione ’73, captain of the gold-medal-winning 1980 U.S. Olympic ”Miracle on Ice” Men’s Hockey team.

Preparing for this exciting task was easy because I had so many questions as a fan, hockey player, and Berwick student, much like he once was. While many people have seen the movie “Miracle on Ice” or heard great stories about Eruzione, nothing fully captures who he really is. Naturally, I was a bit nervous heading into the discussion, but I quickly learned that he is a genuinely kind person who is incredibly easy to talk to. His amazing energy is warming and contagious, making it feel like anyone could have a conversation with him about anything.

I began the discussion by posing questions to Eruzione about leadership, team dynamics, and his experience at Berwick. Our conversation, which flowed organically between us, revealed who Eruzione is as a person and what he values. I left the discussion with several takeaways that are important not only for myself but also for others who were present.

Above all, Eruzione emphasized the importance of respect. Reflecting on the success of Team USA in 1980, he credited the team’s growth and ultimate victory to the respect they had for one another, and themselves. He explained that the team didn’t start producing the desired results until they truly valued that respect. When asked about his role as captain, he explained how this value was at the heart of his leadership approach.

As our conversation continued, it became clear that Eruzione remains engaged with fans and the hockey community due to his love of the game and the joy it brings. What also stood out during the conversation was how much Eruzione loves Berwick Academy. His advice to the group was simple.

“Always make sure you’re having fun with whatever you’re doing,” he said. “No matter where life takes you, it’s essential to pursue what you love.”

Berwick welcomed legendary U.S. Olympic Hockey Team captain Mike Eruzione ’73 for an inspiring afternoon at the Jackson Library. Famous for his leadership in the “Miracle on Ice” victory over the Soviet Union at the 1980 Winter Olympics, Eruzione engaged in a casual yet captivating discussion about his career and experiences. Alumni and students alike were thrilled to meet the hockey hero as he shared stories and insights from one of the most iconic moments in U.S. sports history.

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Three Easy Ways to Make Healthy Habits Part of Your Team Culture

As a coach, are you thinking about helping your athletes form habits? It’s easy to be consumed by making it through the next practice or game, but in many cases, taking the time to focus on good habits can make your team run a lot smoother and lead to better results and performances.

Here, TrueSport Expert Kevin Chapman, PhD, clinical psychologist and founder of The Kentucky Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, is sharing why habits are so important, along with a few easy ways to start making them part of your team’s culture.

WHY HABITS MATTER

“Having a healthy sport culture involves coaches normalizing a lot of habits that need to be normalized for young athletes, such as healthy eating habits, healthy sleep hygiene, healthy discussions of emotions, and even behavioral habits like showing up on time,” says Chapman. “All of those things shape the culture of a program.”

If you aren’t emphasizing proper fueling, sleep, or training techniques to the team, you can’t expect athletes to automatically be aware of them, he adds. Many young athletes aren’t given these resources, and too often, coaches simply assume that their athletes instinctively have these healthy habits.

And remember, whether you’re trying to pass on healthy habits or not, your athletes are learning from you. “For coaches, it’s also so important to understand the type of influence and the level of privilege you have as a coach: You influence your athletes, even if you don’t think you do. Athletes learn from the top down,” says Chapman. “They’re watching you and whether you realize it or not, they’ll emulate what you’re doing.”

HOW TO ESTABLISH HABITS FOR YOUR TEAM

Start early

“It’s essential for a coach to establish habits within the team culture early, and weave them through daily activities such as practice, pre-game, and post-competition,” says Chapman.

Whether it’s a visualization exercise, a team pep talk, or a way of eating or hydrating, we often start adding new habits on the day of a competition, rather than starting those healthy habits months before. If visualization is a key game day technique for your team, every practice could begin with a two-minute visualization for that practice—establishing it as a cornerstone habit for the team and making the act of visualizing even more effective on game day.

Focus on regulating emotions

Emotional regulation and being able to talk about emotions comfortably are both important habits when it comes to the success of an athlete, Chapman says. They can also be difficult habits to teach, since they require you as the coach to demonstrate what healthy emotional regulation looks like, be comfortable expressing emotion, and allow the athletes around you to share their feelings in a judgement-free space. “The best healthy habit a coach can bring to a team is the ability for athletes to be able to talk about emotional experiences, to share what they need and what they’re concerned about, and for athletes to be able to find ways to hold each other accountable.”

Chapman is a fan of pre-setting boundaries for how athletes respond to situations that may arise in sport, and here, he’s sharing his favorite strategies that can easily become habits for your team.

Pre-Game

You can do anything pre-game, from a specific series of warmup drills to meditation to a guided visualization. The key, Chapman says, is to make your pre-game rituals consistent so the athletes know what to expect and how to respond. He prefers seeing coaches lead athletes through stretches and drills followed by a short, guided breathing and visualization exercise to help athletes become present and focused.

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During Game

“During competition, I like a coach to have created different cues that everybody on the team can understand,” Chapman says. “A coach shouldn’t be saying anything new on game day—everything you’re saying to your athlete should be a cue that they already know and can execute.” Essentially, you should be using practices and training to create shorthand cues with your athletes so they can act on them during competition.

For example, Chapman likes the cue “press the reset button.” He explains that he uses this phrase when something happens that has an athlete getting emotional or feeling out of control. “When an athlete is getting in their own head, I like when a coach can simply tell them to hit the reset button, and that athlete knows how to take a moment, shake it off, and come back in control.”

Post-Game

Chapman wants coaches and athletes to be in the habit of asking one simple question post-game: What did we learn? “Let every person on the team give two to three bullet points on things that they learned, things that went well, and things they could improve on for next time,” he says. “Having that habit in place can really change the dynamic of a team’s culture for the better.”

These routines and habits don’t happen overnight: They take time and effort to establish. Your athletes may not be used to them, and it may feel awkward at first, Chapman says. But with some practice and effort on your part to help athletes get into these habits, you’ll see emotional regulation improve on and off the playing field. And once athletes have control of their mindset and emotions, it’s easier to introduce other healthy habits into their routines as well.

TAKEAWAY

Helping athletes create healthy habits should be part of your regular team culture to both improve athlete wellness and team performance. These healthy habits can range from nutrition to timeliness to emotional regulation. As a coach, you’re uniquely poised to help athletes learn habits that will help them thrive now and in the future.

TrueSport®, a movement powered by the experience and values of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, champions the positive values and life lessons learned through youth sport. TrueSport inspires athletes, coaches, parents, and administrators to change the culture of youth sport through active engagement and thoughtful curriculum based on cornerstone lessons of sportsmanship, characterbuilding, and clean and healthy performance, while also creating leaders across communities through sport.

For more expert-driven articles and materials, visit TrueSport’s comprehensive library of resources

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