Developing Elite Athletes
18 SAC students offered spots on NCAA teams in past five years
V
ery few high school students earn NCAA athletic scholarships. In fact, only about 2% will be awarded scholarships to compete at the college level according to the NCAA, the governing body that provides more than $2 billion annually in financial aid to student athletes. So why is St. Andrew’s College graduating a growing number of students to NCAA programs? There are several factors at play, but ultimately it may just be attributable to the College’s focus on academics, building athletic skill, and instilling a strong sense of character. “It goes without saying that credit is due to the talent of the athletes themselves,” says Headmaster Kevin McHenry, “but it’s also due to the dedication and passion our coaches and teachers have for their teams, players, and students.” St. Andrew’s does a tremendous job of employing the best possible coaching and support staff with the skills to develop NCAA-type players. Some SAC coaches have made trips to the Olympics, while others have played university-level sports and have coached university and/or national teams. But academics come first at SAC, and it is the major factor in landing a significant scholarship. “My role as a coach is to build upon the academic foundation, and in return the School provides a schedule that puts our athletes in front of the right people,” says Varsity Hockey and Soccer Head Coach David Manning. The Varsity Hockey Saints play more than 50% of their games state-side and are matched up against top North American players throughout their season, allowing them to be seen and compete at a higher level than most. 24 Spring 2014
William White ‘13
Tyler Topolinski ‘13