2023 NEPSAC Summer News Magazine

NEPSAC® News

NEW ENGLAND PREPARATORY SCHOOL ATHLETIC COUNCIL

Pippy O’Connor and Ginger O’Shea: the two women who led the way for independent school girls golf

New England Preparatory School Athletic Council

President

Martha Brousseau Greenwich Academy Vice-President

Ryan Frost Cardigan Mountain School Secretary

Rob Quinn Berwick Academy Treasurer

Jim Smucker Berwick Academy

Co-Directors of Championships

Jamie Arsenault New Hampton School

Bob Howe Deerfield Academy

Lisa Joel Phillips Andover Academy Director of Classifications

Mark Conroy Williston Northampton 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

Mark Conroy Williston Northampton School

Richard Muther St. Paul’s School

Middle School Representatives

Rob Feingold The Fay School

Amber Kuntz Beaver Country Day School

District I Representatives

Stefan Jensen Hyde School

Caddy Brooks Hebron Academy

District II Representatives

Tara Brisson Tilton School

Jenna Simon Holderness School

Connor Wells Brewster Academy

District III Representatives

Betsy Kennedy Pingree School

Jen Viana Cushing Academy

Sean Kelly The Wheeler School

Andrew Mitchell Lexington Christian Academy

District IV Representatives

Mike Marich The Frederick Gunn School

Tim Joncas Westminster School

Mo Gaitán Pomfret School

Catherine Conway School of the Holy Child 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).

19 Pippy O’Connor, Ginger O’Shea and the Growth of Independent School Girls Golf

29 NEPSAC and the NCAA: Inaugural Girls Basketball Event

25 Pingree Teacher and Alumnus Team up for TV Special

37 Leading with Heart: Don Bagnall

34Wheeler Diving Takes the Plunge

26 Restoring Balance to Youth Sports

40Why and How to Prioritize Sleep for Mental Wellness

33Teacher Julia Allain Writes Sports Psychology Book

President’s Letter

Martha Brousseau Greenwich Academy

As you take in NEPSAC’s version of summer reading I was thinking about how the life of an AD could be in a New York Time’s Best Seller list!

Mystery: Will you be able to find that last minute hire?

Business: Were you able to come in under budget?

Fiction: You have purposely schemed all year long to aggravate your colleagues and a certain parent.

Self Help: You’ve attended, Zoomed or have read about mental health and student-athletes.

History: You have been digging through the archives to be sure you have an accurate accounting of seasons past.

Biography: We all have a story to tell!

Humor: On a daily basis you’ve found a way to laugh rather than cry because what else can you do?

Enjoy this issue of the NEPSAC magazine and lean in heavy to the summer! Hope you find that summer read that helps you escape!

Martha

Got news to share with other

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

TREASURER’S REPORT

by Jim Smucker, Berwick Academy, NEPSAC Treasurer

Thank you for your continued support and efforts this year.

DUES

Beginning on July 1, 2023 all NEPSAC, District and Coaches Associations dues will be available to be paid on online and all dues need to be paid by October 15th.

Reminders/Tips for making payments online: To be most efficient it is important that schools only create one account when making their payments. If you don’t remember your login information, simply click on the “Forgot your username or password?” link to enter your email address to receive instructions to reset your password. Remember to check your spam/junk folder for these instruction emails.

Please be aware that there is a processing fee to off-set our cost with every online transaction. We are not able to refund processing fees, so please be diligent about this process and your record keeping.

How To View Your Account: If you already have a Username and Password, go to ‘View My Account’ and enter your credentials to log in.

After logging in, you will have access to ‘Payment History”. Use the available filters to view ALL of them or choose any date range or period.

NEPSAC PARTNERSHIPS

Over the course of this year, NEPSAC has been collaborating with Fundraise4U, a company that provides fundraising solutions for athletic organizations. We will continue to identify potential partnerships and sponsors for NEPSAC to help ensure that the intentions of this organization are met, all while staying true to our mission and values.

NEPSAC ONLINE DIRECTORY

Please continue to update your school information in the online directory with any changes that you might have. It is extremely important that we have accurate contact lists of our athletic departments for a variety of communications. The online system allows for the most efficient way to collect information. Examples of use: Our coaches associations, athletic trainers, schedulers, sports information directors, and equipment managers all need accurate email lists for their important communications. Look for reminders for 23–24 school year updates in May.

Contact Laurie Sachs communications@nepsac.org if you have any questions.

PHOTO BY ANETA PAWLIK ON UNSPLASH

NEPSAC Spring 2022–2023 Tournament Champions

Be sure to hit the links under each sport to see the All-NEPSAC athletes

BASEBALL

All-NEPSAC List

SOFTBALL

All-NEPSAC List

BOYS LACROSSE

All-NEPSAC List

GIRLS LACROSSE

All-NEPSAC List

BOYS TRACK AND FIELD

Division 1 Phillips Exeter Academy

Division 2 Middlesex School

Division 3 Portsmouth Abbey School

All-NEPSAC List

GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD

Division 1 Thayer Academy

Division 2 Tabor Academy

Division 3 Marianapolis Preparatory School

All-NEPSAC List

GIRLS GOLF

Phillips Exeter Academy

All-NEPSAC List

BOYS TENNIS

Class A Hopkins School

Class B Hoosac School

Class C The Rivers School

All-NEPSAC List

GIRLS TENNIS

Class A Phillips Academy Andover

Class B Hopkins School

Class C St. Luke’s School

All-NEPSAC List

GIRLS WATER POLO

Williston Northampton School

All-NEPSAC List

SAVE THE DATE! NEPSAC Annual Meeting

Friday, November 17, 2023

Boxboro Regency Hotel & Conference Center

Boxborough, Massachusetts

GoPlay Sports Tours Puts Focus Back on Education After NEPSAC Link Up

The opportunity to leave home, learn about the world firsthand and play the sport you love is an incredible gift. That is why coaches and teachers who give their players and students the opportunity to travel overseas are, from our point of view, the most important people.

At GoPlay Sports Tours we believe that travel changes lives; it is not just a slogan. The chance to travel, compete and discover the world with your peers is an opportunity which should be grabbed with both hands.

With GoPlay, you benefit from a worldwide network of relationships with major airlines, authentic restaurants, three-star and four-star hotels, professional tour managers, local guides and exceptional sports facilities.

Our recent partnership with the NEPSAC has given us the welcome opportunity to get back to what we know best educational travel.

The elements of culture and education will remain at the forefront of our specialized tours for the NEPSAC, while community service projects will also become a natural addition.

Whether schools are looking for a heavy sports schedule, a tour underpinned by a service element or a tour full of rich cultural activities, GoPlay has the itinerary to suit.

From the staple team sports of soccer, lacrosse, field hockey and basketball to swimming, cross-country and golf, GoPlay has a wide range of sports and a history of providing excellent service.

Under the leadership of GoPlay Director Darren Lyons you are in safe hands.

Darren has spent 22 years working in the education and sports travel business with the majority of that time spent at ACIS (American Council for International Studies).

In 2015, the opportunity arose to start up a sports division to match our two passions sports and travel. Darren brought together a group of college coaches and travel experts to create a dynamic, new company, GoPlay.

Former Roger Williams soccer coach of 25 years, Jim Cook, ex-Northeastern soccer coach, Brian Ainscough, former Georgetown University soccer coach, Keith Tabatznik and more recently Springfield College basketball legend Charlie Brock have all joined our ranks.

And our team of ex-professionals and Hall-of-Famers have been able to give first-hand knowledge of how to customize the perfect sports itinerary, but culture and education have always underpinned our trips.

Darren’s educational background has helped him drive custom-made experiences that blend sport and culture. These bespoke trips ensure students have a wider cultural understanding of the countries they visit and not just in a sports environment.

These unique, sports-themed tours will offer students the opportunity to add a new dimension to their resumes.

GoPlay already have an established and select list of partnering organizations including NAICA, NEISL, AYSO.org and Soccerparenting.com.

The latter, Soccerparenting.com, have taken numerous summer and winter tours over recent years. Their next trip is a New Year’s ‘Six in Six’ visit to London to take in six professional soccer games in the EPL and Championship in six days.

We also have an extensive list of colleges and universities who have traveled with us over the last few years, including Duke University, Stonehill College, Babson College, Roger Williams University, Assumption College, Providence College, and Eastern Connecticut State University.

If you would like to find out more about what we offer contact us, as we embark on a exciting new partnership with the NEPSAC.

| SUFFIELD, CONNECTICUT In Memoriam: Andy Lowe

SUFFIELD ACADEMY

Andrew Graham Lowe, 66, of Suffield, CT passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 surrounded by his family in his home on Cape Cod after a courageous multi-year battle with cancer. He was born in Danbury, CT on June 30, 1956, the son of the late Frederick and Nancy Lowe. Andy was a graduate of Loomis Chaffee School, Stanford University, and Trinity College. Andy was a student-athlete at Loomis, where he played soccer and joined the swimming team, which would influence the rest of his life. He went on to Stanford University, where he graduated with a degree in History, was a member of the swim team, and started the squash team. Andy made lifelong friends at Loomis and Stanford with whom he kept in close contact throughout his life.

Andy retired this winter after 44 years at his beloved Suffield Academy, where he was a teacher, coach, and mentor to thousands of students over his long career. He will be remembered for his passion as a swim coach, his tenacious belief in his students, and his willingness to go above and beyond for all those whose paths he crossed. Andy’s impact on the members of the Suffield Academy community was profound. He was deeply honored in 2021 when Suffield Academy dedicated the school pool as the Andy Lowe Pool. He was equally honored when Suffield Academy further dedicated a classroom in his name.

Over the years Andy coached varsity swimming, tennis, soccer, and water polo at Suffield. Through his dedication and passion, his teams won numerous New England Prep School Division 1 championships in each of those sports. Andy was even inducted in the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame for his success in coaching. Andy embraced his athletes and their families as his own and formed some of his closest friendships through coaching at Suffield.

As a history scholar and teacher, Andy enjoyed exploring the world, never missing an opportunity to see a new country or city. Andy led numerous trips for students and faculty to Europe, Asia and parts of Africa. His family often joked at how Andy had an annual “once-in-a-lifetime” travel opportunity.

“Andy was an incredible educator and inspiration for students, alums, parents, and colleagues during his remarkable career. He was a brilliant, kind, talented man and a loving husband and father,” said Head of School Charlie Cahn. “Andy was fiercely proud of Suffield Academy and particularly the swim program he built into one of the finest in the nation. Suffield’s swimming pool is named in Andy’s honor, as is a classroom in Centurion Hall. Andy earned all of Suffield’s highest honors as a teacher and coach including the Richter Award for Excellence in Teaching, the Benjamin Prize for contributions to student development, and the Pervear-Kinne Coaching Prize. One of the greatest honors of my three decades at Suffield was having Andy as a colleague and friend. His impact on our school and on the thousands who knew him was profound.”

Andy is survived by his loving wife and lifelong partner, Andrea, his son Graham and daughter-in-law Paige, son Geoff, and daughter, Emily. He also leaves his brother Derick Lowe and his wife Barbara, his sister Ginny Connors and her husband Marty Connors, his sister-in-law Beth Rondinone and her husband Joe, his brother-in-law Jeffrey Scanlon and his wife Victoria. Andy also leaves many nieces, nephews, “third sons,” and considerable extended family of former students and swimmers who will no doubt carry on his legacy.

A celebration of Andy’s life was held on May 6, 2023.

Sales & Service

Want to talk scoreboards? You need someone knowledgeable – one who has a complete line of the best scoreboards – someone local – dependable – backed by a company you can rely on. In short, you need Hampden.

LED SCOREBOARDS v WIRELESS CONTROLS

When a point is made, all eyes turn toward the scoreboard. It has to work right! That’s why you need Hampden Engineering Corporation as your service dealer.

HILL SCHOOL | BELMONT, MASSACHUSETTS

Belmont Hill School Celebrates 100 Years of Athletics

In January, Belmont Hill School began to celebrate its Centennial with a series of events highlighting 100 years of various parts of the life of the School. This May, the community gathered for an evening to honor Belmont Hill’s athletic program. It was a wonderful opportunity for all to reflect on what has been the essence of Belmont Hill athletics for a century: the breadth and depth of the program, the strength of the teachercoach model, and the growth and continuing development of the athletic facilities.

Athletic Director George Tahan articulated the pillars of Belmont Hill athletics quite well when he spoke to the community at the athletics celebration. “The program’s success is the result of a clear philosophy and process that is executed by our faculty and staff,” he said. “For the past 100 years, it has been marked by broad student participation, a wide breadth and depth of athletic offerings, outstanding teacher coaches, and fantastic facilities.”

The School offers 16 sports and a total of 54 teams, which helps to ensure that any boy who wants to participate in athletics can find a place. “This depth allows Belmont Hill boys to pursue and play the sports they are passionate about while also allowing them to discover sports they never envisioned playing,” Mr. Tahan stated. “There they can figure out what they enjoy and what they might excel at, while at the same time being a part of something bigger than themselves and working together to pursue collective goals.” Also, today’s seasonal schedules include a robust program that plays in excess of 800 contests.

The teacher-coach model has been a vital core of the program for 100 years. Teachers often remark that coaching provides another important way to connect with students. “It’s really part of the fabric of the School. With so many of my colleagues coaching, it’s just another important way we can reach the boys,” veteran football and lacrosse coach Chris Butler states. Chris Richards, varsity crew coach and Middle School cross country coach adds, “These boys learn so much on our sports teams. Legendary coach Eddie Gallagher always spoke of the ‘athletic classroom’, and I firmly believe that the learning experiences on our teams whether on field, court, slope, or on the river can be as profound and as important for our boys as those they have in our academic program.”

Belmont Hill’s athletic facilities have evolved throughout its history. The School began with a small single gymnasium and today features the Jordan Athletic Center, a state-of-the-art building that is home to many sports. The basketball team plays on Ted Martellini Court in the Fritz Gymnasium, which holds two full courts. The Seeley Squash Center features seven international-sized courts and a dedicated wrestling room both reside in the Jordan Athletic Center.

BELMONT

Original wrestling room.

Wrestling room today.

Scenes from the original gym.

Spring 1924 baseball schedule.

The School’s first ice first rink was on the pond during the 1923–24 school year. Today, Belmont Hill has an Olympic-sized ice sheet in the newly dedicated Kenneth M. Martin III ’65 Rink in the Jordan Center. In the offseason, the rink is converted to the Palanjian Tennis Courts. The baseball team plays ball on Gallagher Field, one of the most beautiful independent school baseball fields in the ISL and NEPSAC. In football and lacrosse, teams play on an allweather turf field. Finally, the crew team competes from a multi-bay boathouse on the Charles River.

Since its opening in 1923, Belmont Hill has always stressed the important role of athletics in education. The School’s mission of developing boys into men of good character is an important guidepost in how its athletic program is run. Strong character makes for good leaders, fierce competitors, and valued teammates. The School looks forward to seeing where the next 100 years will lead us!

The Kenneth M. Martin III ’65 Rink was dedicated in January 2023. Ted Martinelli Court.

The 1923 hockey rink.

WHEELER SCHOOL | PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND

Sean Kelly receives NEPSBBA Les R. McMillen Award

The New England Preparatory School Boys Basketball Association (NEPSBBA) is proud to announce that Sean Kelly, director of athletics and boys basketball coach at The Wheeler School in Providence, RI, is the 2023 winner of the Les R. McMillen Award.

Kelly, a Wheeler and NEPSAC alum and former two-sport student-athlete, arrived back at his alma mater in August of 2010 and took on responsibilities as an English teacher, admissions associate, and boys’ basketball coach. Since 2020, Kelly has been Wheeler’s director of athletics. As a member of the NEPSBBA, he has served the association’s Executive Board in various capacities; including the last 8 years as president. Beyond basketball, the Wheeler School AD represents District 3 on the NEPSAC Executive Board.

“It is an honor to be recognized with this award,” Kelly said. “As someone who knew Les and saw first-hand the value in his work and the positive impact he had on student-athletes and coaches in the prep school world, I’m deeply appreciative of a connection to him in any way. Additionally, to be recognized by peers as talented as the ones in

our association and in a league as prominent as the NEPSAC is truly special.”

During his 8 years as a NEPSBBA president, Kelly has done a wonderful job organizing the logistics associated with boys basketball coaches’ meetings, championship events, and postseason awards. Perhaps most notably, he has been a major catalyst behind the integration and execution of the annual NCAA Boys Basketball Showcase Events. The events, held each June at rotating NEPSAC campuses, attract over 600 student-athletes and coaches from more than 350 colleges and universities. The experience has been a meaningful and beneficial one for thousands of NEPSAC studentathletes over the last 4 years.

“I’ve been fortunate to have some really great mentors as a young coach, especially Mike Hart (St. Andrews),” added Kelly. “I’m also grateful for the continued mentorship and support I’ve found with many people associated with the NEPSAC, especially Ed Reilly (Worcester Academy), Martha Brousseau (Greenwich Academy), Bob Howe (Deerfield Academy), and Laurie Sachs (Rivers School). I owe a lot of my approach to them.”

“Sean’s sincere dedication to both NEPSAC boys basketball and the NEPSAC mission is clear in all of his efforts,“ said Laurie Sachs, who was presented with the Les R. McMillen Award in 2020. “Having had the privilege of knowing Les McMillen and what a dedicated and positive person he was, I believe we are quite fortunate to have someone of Sean’s character behind the scenes, working to enhance the experience for all of our ath-

letes, with that same consistent positive energy that defined Les.”

Beginning in the 2023–2024 school year, Billy Thom (Millbrook School) and Jim McCarthy (Cheshire Academy) will take over a copresidency role in the NEPSBBA.

Coach Les McMillen was a longtime athletic director and three-sport coach at the New York Military Academy. His teams were known equally for their talent and success as they were for their sportsmanship. In addition to his success mentoring and teaching young athletes on the court and playing fields, Les was also known among the basketball coaching circles in the prep school ranks for his consistent positive contribution to the experience of NEPSAC Boys Basketball and to the mission of NEPSBBA.

Director of Athletics Danny Smith Receives

2023 M.D. Nadal Sportsmanship Award

Courtesy of The Hotchkiss School

Director of Athletics Danny Smith P’18,’20,’24 is the recipient of the 2023 M.D. Nadal Sportsmanship Award in recognition of his dedication to the education and development of student athletes and athletic program at Hotchkiss.

The Founders League awards the M.D. Nadal Sportsmanship Award on an annual basis to a coach whose conduct exemplifies the proclamation “play by the rules, accept victory or defeat graciously, respect all who assemble and participate.” It may be awarded in recognition of sportsmanship during a particular contest, throughout a season, or for continued contributions to athletics and the league.

Since arriving at Hotchkiss in the fall of 2000, Smith has been an avid spectator and active participant in the School’s athletic program. He began his career in the admission office and as head coach of the varsity football team. Shortly thereafter, Smith was named co-director of athletics and has been a fixture in the Mars Athletic Center and on the Bearcat sidelines ever since.

“In the 20 years I have worked side by side with Danny, I have been amazed by his ability to be connected to kids in all facets of School life,” said Robin Chandler ’87, former co-director of athletics and 2013 M.D. Nadal Sportsmanship

Award winner. “Danny’s tireless dedication and loyalty to the athletic department, along with his fierce advocacy of our student athletes who are always first in his mind, have been inspirational.”

The M.D. Nadal Sportsmanship Award was originally given to a member of the Erickson Football League, but eligibility was expanded to other sports after the establishment of the Founders League. Smith has close ties to the origin of the award given his work with the Erickson League as a longtime head coach and commissioner. He was instrumental in leading this group with grace and goodwill during his tenure.

“Danny’s graciousness and genuine interest in others is clear from the moment you first interact with him. He puts his team first and invests great time and care into the development of each of his players both on and off the field,” Head of School Craig Bradley said.

Upon Smith’s retirement as head varsity football coach in 2021, Brian Allen ’19 said, “You are the most genuine and down-to-earth man I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. You took a chance on me and changed my life forever by helping me attend Hotchkiss. I came to campus in the fall of 2017 as an overly confident kid who was self-centered and thought he knew everything. By the time I left Hotchkiss I had

become a better person who was willing to learn from others and listen and learned to listen before speaking. You made me into someone better. The two years being coached by you made me a better man and that is something I cannot thank you enough for.”

During Smith’s 21-year tenure as head coach, Hotchkiss football won a New England Championship in 2008 and back-to-back Erickson League Championships in 2008 and 2009, as well as one in 2002 in only his second year as head coach. Smith coached three NEPSAC Football Player of the Year recipients: Rob Schaeffer ’01, Alex Amidon ’10, and Derrick Wilson ’11.

“The quality I appreciate most about Danny is the incredible care he takes with developing his players as people—not just athletes,” Chandler added. “He has always been about character development, sportsmanship, and the true value of team and he ranks those well above wins and losses. These are the best lessons our students can learn in life, and they learned them well down on Baker from one of the most genuine men I have ever known.”

The M.D. Nadal Sportsmanship Award was established in 1969 to honor Manuel D. “Bill” Nadal, an outstanding athlete, coach and steadfast supporter of athletics at Kent School. A member of Kent’s Class of 1917, Nadal excelled in football, hockey and baseball, earning a total of 14 letters and serving as captain of the hockey and baseball teams. After serving in World War I, Nadal returned to Kent and coached football, hockey, and baseball for a remarkable 89 seasons as a head coach. At different times during his long career at Kent, Nadal served as assistant to the headmaster and director of athletics. At the time of his death at Kent in 1977, he held the position of Director of Athletics Emeritus.

PHOTO BY BRIAN WILCOX FOR THE HOTCHKISS SCHOOL

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE FOUNDERS LEAGUE

LOOMIS CHAFFEE SCHOOL | WINDSOR, CONNECTICUT

Hamilton Doster ’23 Recognized in A Shot for Life Fundraiser

Hamilton Doster ’23 received the A Shot For Life Bruins Award from the Boston Bruins Foundation on May 21 as the top fundraiser at the inaugural A Shot For Life Classic, a hockey game among high school seniors from around the country who raised money for the organization.

A Shot For Life (ASFL) is a “sports based non-profit organization that funds health and cancer research initiatives. Through sports-based initiatives, community in-person events, and online activities, ASFL meaningfully engages and unites communities, inspires hope, and teaches community leadership.”

After a lengthy application process, Hamilton was selected to take part in the fundraising effort and attended an orientation, where she was informed about the history of the or-

ganization, the purpose of the organization, and the goal of the inaugural event.

Each player was tasked with the goal of raising $1,000 dollars for the event over a three-to-fivemonth span, and Hamilton led the way among the group members, raising a total of $7,835 to

support cancer research at Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center. Overall, the event raised more than $100,000 in support of cancer research.

“The entire experience was incredible, and to hear Mike Slonina, the CEO and founder of ASFL, deliver an extremely touching speech was an amazing way to cap things off. The game was so much fun, and I’m incredibly grateful to have been a part of something so special,” said Doster.

Hamilton, who graduated from Loomis just a week later, plans to continue her hockey career at Dartmouth College next year.

| CONCORD, MASSACHUSETTS

Laura Darby McNally Receives NATA Servants Heart Award

Middlesex School athletic trainer Laura Darby McNally received the Servants Heart Award from the National Athletic Trainers Association. This award is given to one person annually in every district of the United States. Middlesex is in NATA District One which includes Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont and Maine.

The Servant’s Heart Award recognizes deserving secondary school athletic trainerss in each district for their service to the athletic training profession, their schools and their communities.

This award recognizes ATs who have: Demonstrated a long-term commitment to the secondary school setting; provided public awareness, promotion and education about the AT’s role in their local communities; helped establish and maintain the athletic trainers’ presence in the secondary school setting; promoted the secondary school setting as a career-destination; and exhibited a consistent and exemplary level of student athletic health care

Laura grew up in Harvard, Massachusetts, and graduated from Middlesex in 1980 along with her twin sister Karen. After receiving her B.S. in biology from Trinity College, Laura joined the faculty at Brooks School, where she taught math and served as the head trainer and a dorm head. She returned to Middlesex as the athletic trainer in 1989 and is now also the girls’ varsity crew coach. A strong rower at Middlesex and Trinity, Laura has been active in national and international crew. From 1988-94, she was the head trainer of both the U.S. men’s and women’s rowing teams as they competed in world

Is this you?

championships in Italy, Switzerland, Yugoslavia, Tasmania, and Austria. She was also a USOC trainer in the 1984 Olympics, the 1989 Olympicfest, and the 1987 and 1995 Pan Am Games. In 2001, Laura took on the annual task of teaching plaque carving to all Middlesex seniors, each of whom is required by tradition to carve a mahogany plaque before receiving a diploma at graduation.

Blackbaud, Whipple Hill, Finalsite, etc.

•

•

From left: Grady Congleton, Eaglebrook School; Amy Wiggins, Phillips Academy Andover; Laura Darby McNally, Middlesex School; Nairi Melkonian, Greater Lawrence Technical School (Brooks School, Lawrence Academy), Kathy Gruning, Buckingham Browne and Nichols School.

Pippy O’Connor and Ginger O’Shea

The two women who led the way for independent school girls golf

by Bob York

There’s a trophy to be found somewhere on the island of Bermuda, but only the gods of golf are certain of its whereabouts. Its hideout is rumored to be in or around the clubhouse of the Mid Ocean Club in affluent Tucker’s Town, located along the northeastern tip of the isle where it was won back in 1955.

Yet here we are, nearly three-quarters of a century later, and that token for the Bermuda Ladies Championship remains homeless. It’s not that its champion, “Pippy” Rooney, shunned it, but rather was reluctant to return to her home in the Boston suburb of Jamaica Plain with spoils in hand.

The hesitancy, according to Ginger O’Shea, Rooney’s “second or third cousin,” was due to the inscription on the trophy. “The tournament directors engraved ‘Pippy’ on it,” explained O’Shea. “Pippy’s the name she preferred. The problem was that her real name was Theodora — the name her parents preferred — and she was afraid to show it to them.”

And so, Theodora Catherine ‘Pippy’ Rooney O’Connor’s 1955 Bermuda Ladies Championship Trophy only adds to the lore of the infamous “Bermuda Triangle,” where countless ships and airplanes and at least one trophy have seemingly vanished forever.

“Pippy told me about the trophy and why she left it behind,” said O’Shea. “She never admitted to me that she wanted the trophy, but when my husband and I went to Bermuda on vacation a few years later, I thought it would be cool to find the trophy and bring it back home to her, if possible. And if not, I figured I could at least take a picture of it for her.

“As it turned out, we searched every trophy cabinet in the clubhouse,” added O’Shea, “but were unable to locate it. I guess I should have inquired further about it, but I didn’t. If I should ever get back to Bermuda I will do further investigating because her son Ted has nicknamed one of his daughters “Pippy” and it would be so nice to be able to give that trophy to her.”

It’s not as if the grandkids don’t have anything to remember O’Connor’s golfing exploits by, however. Even without the Bermuda trophy, there are still plenty of mementos that O’Connor, who died in 2016 at the age of 86, managed to bring home that exhibited the magnitude she showed on a golf course.

She was the 1948 Women’s Golf Association of Massachusetts Junior Champion and won the Massachusetts Women’s Amateur crown in 1955. Those conquests are accompanied by being crowned the Women’s Club Champion of the Charles River Golf Club in Newton no less than 11 times; over in Scituate, she was a seven-time women’s champ at the Hatherly Country Club.

O’Connor was also a three-time qualifier for the U.S. Women’s Open and in 1955, was one of a few qualified amateurs who were invited to compete among the Ladies Professional Golf Association ranks and did quite well for herself. In fact, she competed against such fabled women golfers as Patty Berg

and Mildred Didrikson better known as “Babe” Didrikson Zaharias during her stint in the LPGA and defeated them both. Her legend on the links eventually led her to be inducted into the New England Women’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2000.

Despite her success on the LPGA circuit, O’Connor opted not to turn professional and her reasoning for remaining on the amateur level was revealed following her Hall of Fame induction.

“I realized I loved teaching and got great satisfaction out of helping others,” O’Connor told The Boston Globe. “You had to give up everything to reach the top level and I wasn’t sure I wanted to do that. I just wanted a normal life.”

Despite never having won it, there’s one particular trophy that has O’Connor’s name chiseled on it that she came to cherish more than any other and that would be the trophy annually presented to the winner of the Pippy O’Connor Independent School Girls Golf Classic.

“That was Pippy’s dream,” said O’Shea of the annual tourney that has become one of the biggest independent school-age girls golf summits in the country and one of the longest running as well. The tourney’s 37th rendition hit the fairways of the Watertown Golf Club, adjacent to the Taft School campus in Watertown, Conn., on May 8. Phillips Exeter Academy (329) won the team title,

edging Taft (332) for the crown by just three strokes. Greenwich Academy (350) finished third, while Sacred Heart (369) and The Winsor School (372) rounded up the top five finishers, respectively.

Overall, 111 girls representing 21 prep school teams took part in the tourney, as 72 girls signed up for the highly competitive 18-hole division, while 39 took part in the 9-hole division, which mainly features freshmen and sophomores, as well as middle-school golfers.

Morgan Smith of Phillips Exeter Academy carded a 74 to finish atop the 18-hole division, while Taft’s Cindy Cao was one stroke off the pace (75) to place second. Sofie Robinson of Wilbraham-Monson Academy carded a 77 for a third-place showing, as Annie Dai of Northfield Mount Hermon School, Lucy Wang of Middlesex School and Angelina Gong of Exeter tied for fourth place as the trio finished with identical 78s.

In the 9-hole bracket, Cushing Academy’s Angie Yu led the field with a 41, while teammate Ophylia Li wound up second with a 43. Taylor Horgan of Westminster School carded a 45 to earn her a third-place finish, while Tiffany Sun of Exeter and WillistonNorthampton School’s Mayphie Zhou tied for fourth place as both finished the day with a 48.

“Pippy started this tournament single-handedly back in 1986,” explained O’Shea, who is not only O’Connor’s cousin, but has

I DECIDED TO CREATE A SEPARATE AND DISTINCT TOURNAMENT FOR GIRLS FROM INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS FROM WITHIN [MASSACHUSETTS].

PIPPY O’CONNOR

Ginger O’Shea with the Taft School team, runner up at the 2023 Pippy O’Connor Independent School Girls Golf Classic.

also been serving as the director of the O’Connor tourney since O’Connor stepped away from the job in 2006. “That was the year we renamed the tournament in Pippy’s honor. We felt it was only fitting, seeing what an extraordinary ambassador she had been for the game of golf … especially for girls.”

O’Shea, who stepped down as the tournament’s director following this year’s awards ceremonies and who also retired as the Taft girls’ golf coach after this season’s Founder’s League Championship Tournament following 17 years at the helm, pointed out that O’Connor was the first person to create an independent school girls golf program in Massachusetts, when she founded a team at Noble and Greenough School back in 1983.

The rookie mentor quickly discerned the first hazard she would be facing would have nothing to do with water, woods or sand. It would have to do with competition — or the lack of it. Opponents at that time were limited to girls who played for public high schools and who were members of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association. Girls who attended independent schools were not members of the MIAA and thus were not eligible to compete in the Massachusetts Girls High School Golf Championships.

“Pippy thought this was unfair and so she decided to create a separate and distinct tournament for girls from independent schools,” said O’Shea. “I’ve been honored for the past 17 years to keep Pippy’s dream, love and spirit alive. Keeping the opportunity for junior girls to play golf and compete in a friendly, yet social and competitive environment had been Pippy’s dream and I just tried to be an extension of the amazing foundation she built.

“My 41 years of teaching and coaching and running the Pippy O’Connor Tournament have proven to be very meaningful because I was very close to Pippy,” added O’Shea. “I had the opportunity to play golf with her and my mom a few times and I will never get those days back, so being involved in this tournament kept me connected to two very influential and important role models in my life.”

In “A History of The Independent School Girls’ Golf Classic,” O’Connor wrote, “our competition in 1984 was mainly the public schools of Brookline High and Duxbury High, while Tabor Academy in Marion, Mass. started a girls’ team in 1985, which included Lauren Milhench, the 1983 WGAM Junior State Champion.

“According to MIAA rules, Milhench, in spite of being the state junior champ, would not have been eligible to play in its tourney because she represented an independent school,” continued O’Connor. “I thought that this was not fair and so I decided to create a separate and distinct tournament for girls from independent schools from within the state.

“I started my first tournament in 1986,” she went on, “and it has grown from a simple nine-hole tournament to one in which the better players compete in an 18-hole tournament, while the younger, less-skilled players compete over nine holes.” And today, the tourney’s field of golfers has grown to represent NEPSAC schools from throughout the New England area.

“The number of competitors in this tournament has basically remained about the same throughout the years,” said O’Shea. “What has changed, however, have been the girls’ skill levels. I can remember when 60 girls would take part in the less competitive nine-hole division, while 40 signed up for 18-hole affair.

“Today, the trend has just about reversed itself,” added O’Shea,

who has been recognized in “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers” for her contributions to the Taft athletic community. “Now we have about 60 golfers competing in the 18-hole event, while 40 now register for the nine-hole event.

“Keeping it in Pippy’s spirit, we’ve made this tournament both welcoming and fun,” said O’Shea, who, like her cousin, is also quite familiar with the business end of a golf club. In fact, O’Shea culminated her final season as mentor of the Rhinos this spring with an undefeated 15-0 record, which gives her a final regularseason showing at Taft of 194-28-8 since she started the program back in 2006. During that span, her girls have captured five New England (O’Connor Tournament) titles as well as five second-place finishes while registering six individual tournament champions. As far as Founders League championships are concerned, O’Shea’s final day on the job saw her Rhinos chalk up their 10th tourney title under her reign.

Taft’s girls’ golf guru was nowhere to be found during this year’s Founders affair, however, as another sport she had mastered over the years was receiving her full attention: volleyball. O’Shea had a prior engagement that same day at the fabled Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, N.Y., where she was inducted into the Masters School Athletic Hall of Fame after her volleyball teams there chalked up a 394-53 showing during her 14-year (13-season) span. In 2001, O’Shea would move on to Taft, where she coached varsity volleyball for 17 years, stepping

Pippy’s “second or third cousin” Ginger O’Shea, who retired as Taft School’s girls golf coach this year.

away from the program after having led her teams to 501 career victories and a No. 2 ranking in New England. Her volleyball teams at Masters and Taft combined to win 895 games.

“I feel both truly blessed and fulfilled as far as my time here at Taft is concerned,” said O’Shea. “During a recent Alumni Day, I can’t tell you how many of my former players came back here from all parts of the country to personally tell me how much they felt having played for me had helped make a difference in their lives … as a coach, that’s about the greatest compliment you can receive.

“There were others who couldn’t make it back here,” added O’Shea, “but many of them sent flowers to say ‘Thank You!’ As I said, ‘I feel truly blessed and fulfilled for my time here.’”

Speaking on behalf of the school’s athletic department, Taft Athletic Director Andy Dunn said he too felt blessed to have been able to have worked with O’Shea, even if it had only been for the past two years.

“Ginger has long been a phenomenal advocate and mentor for girls,” said Dunn, “and I guess I can speak for everyone here when I say I consider her retirement as a bitter-sweet moment for Taft School.

“I’m sad to see her go, as I know everyone associated with this school is,” added Dunn, “but I’m also happy to have had the opportunity to have worked with Ginger and to have seen the positive impact she has had on everyone here … she’ll be truly missed by all.”

That feeling of loss begins right at the tippy-top of the NEPSAC food chain, too. It starts with Martha Brousseau, the NEPSAC president and Greenwich Academy athletic director.

“In recent years The Pippy O’Connor Tournament and Ginger O’Shea have become nearly synonymous!” said Brousseau. “Ginger’s tireless and spirited

leadership in all things golf has been monumental for those who have participated in “The Pippy” be it the nine-hole or 18hole tournament. Securing great facilities and being the ultimate MC at these events, it was clear to anyone who attended that Ginger was there to promote the game of golf … and it didn’t hurt that Taft wasn’t too shabby from tee to green! Thank you coach O’Shea or all you have done for NEPSAC golf.”

Sue Cabot, the athletic director at archrival Loomis Chaffee echoed those same feelings about O’Shea when she said “Thank you for all you have done to support girls’ golf in the NEPSAC! The growth in numbers and increased competitive field is fantastic. It is such a tremendous opportunity and experience for the golfers. It’s a testament to your commitment to enhancing opportunities and the play of golf to young girls.”

It was also easy to see that Dave Hinman, the coordinator of the Health & Wellness Program as well as the head varsity basketball coach at St. Sebastian’s, was another big fan of O’Shea’s when he said, “Ginger’s work with students and athletes over her career has been exemplary, but her efforts promoting girls’ athletics has been truly outstanding. We are all in a much better spot today due to her tireless effort to create opportunities for our athletes. The Pippy O’Connor Tournament is one such example of many.”

Ann Pickrell, another pioneer of NEPSAC girls golf, was sad to see a longtime colleague, “but more importantly, a valued friend,” head off for a well-deserved retirement. “Ginger and I go back a long ways,” said Pickrell, who established a girls golf program at Williston Northampton School in 2003 and who has also been coaching girls field hockey at Williston for the past 30 years. “I worked with Ginger in a number of different capacities throughout the years, especially at the O’Connor tournaments.

“Ginger’s always been passionate about golf, she’s always been driven to help players improve their game and to compete at the highest level possible and you could see her love for the game come through when it came to directing the O’Connor tournaments,” added Pickrell, whose day job at Williston is that of assistant head of school. “Except for the weather, she always had everything under control.”

As for those annual O’Connor tournaments, don’t let all that “welcoming and fun” stuff fool you, because, as O’Shea put it, “It’s a very competitive tournament, especially the 18-hole division. The girls who compete in this tourney are looking to play collegiate golf … especially the seniors and this gives them the opportunity to see how they stack up against their peers. Plus, it gives college coaches and scouts a chance to watch the best prep school girl golfers in New England all in one place.”

The awards table at the 2023 Pippy O’Connor Independent School Girls Golf Classic.

GINGER’S TIRELESS AND SPIRITED LEADERSHIP IN ALL THINGS GOLF HAS BEEN MONUMENTAL FOR THOSE WHO HAVE PARTICIPATED IN “THE PIPPY”

MARTHA BROUSSEAU

The tourney also allows independent (middle) school age golfers such as Allison Eleey to compete, as the Quincy native participated in the O’Connor tournament as a sixth-, seventhand eighth-grader. “I always looked forward to competing in the Pippy O’Connor tournament, it was always the highlight of our season … at least I looked at it that way,” said Eleey, who took part in six tourneys before graduating from Taft in 2012. “Ever since I was 10 or so, my dream was to play college golf and you knew you’d get plenty of exposure playing in the O’Connor tourney because it always attracted the best female golfers throughout the New England prep school ranks.”

And play well she did. During Eleey’s time on the Taft varsity, during which she was named Player of The Year as a senior by The Boston Globe All Scholastic, she is one of just two competitors to ever capture back-to-back titles of this coveted tourney, leading the pack her junior and senior years (2011 and 2012). Kelly Robb of The Middlesex School, meanwhile, won the tourney as a freshman and sophomore (2000 and 2001) before closing out her career by winning her third crown — the most ever by a single competitor — as a senior (2003).

Eleey, who went on to successfully compete on the Div. III collegiate level at Sewanee, The College of the South, helped her Tiger teammates earn their first trip ever to the Nationals her senior season, where they placed seventh. The trip also followed a season in which Sewanee finished second in the Southern Athletic Association and maintained a Top-10 national seeding throughout the entire 2016 campaign.

Despite the decade that has passed since her final Pippy appearance, Eleey still fondly remembers one of the highlights of competing in the tournament: getting to meet with the tourney’s namesake.

“Pippy O’Connor always made it a habit during the tournament to meet and greet each and every competitor,” said Eleey. “The staffers would drive her around to every hole to meet with us. Pippy was always so gracious, always complimenting us for playing in the tournament and wishing us all ‘the best of luck’ … she never missed anyone.”

Meeting the First Lady of independent school girls golf was also the first highlight that came to mind for Caitlin Sullivan, who won the tournament championship in 2002 and who finished third the following season while representing The Winsor School of Boston.

“Pippy was such a wonderful woman,” said Sullivan, who went on to play “the fourth or fifth position at Princeton University for four years. I still remember the pep talks she would give the

players as she would make her way around the course in a golf cart. She would drive over to each competitor and urge them to ‘keep up the good work’ and then wished all of us ‘good luck’ before driving off to greet the next group. Pippy was a special woman … we owe her so much.”

When asked what she thought her cousin might think about how her tournament has carried on without her, O’Shea briefly pondered then responded with, “I think she’d be thrilled looking down and watching her girls having the opportunity to play in yet another of these competitive tournaments.

“I can’t help but think she’d be smiling down on us, too,” added O’Shea. “This year’s tournament was played under rather windy conditions, but it was also a warm and sunny day. Those were the conditions Pippy most enjoyed playing in. She always loved playing golf under the warmth of the sun, but she never minded whenever the wind would pick up a bit, either. She always felt it was Mother Nature’s way of challenging her.”

PIPPY O’CONNOR ALWAYS MADE IT A HABIT DURING THE TOURNAMENT TO MEET AND GREET EACH AND EVERY COMPETITOR… [SHE] WAS ALWAYS SO GRACIOUS, ALWAYS COMPLIMENTING US FOR PLAYING IN THE TOURNAMENT AND WISHING US ALL ‘THE BEST OF LUCK’ … SHE NEVER MISSED ANYONE.

ALLISON ELEEY ’12, TAFT SCHOOL

Taft’s Cindy Cao (runner up with a 75) and Ginger O’Shea.

Last school year was a first for bBIG Live and we produced 341 live games providing NEPSAC families, fans, alumni and coaches with professional live broadcast coverage and postgame film. For those that are not familiar with our services here are just a few of the benefits:

• bBIG Live offers professional broadcasting services for a variety of events for parents, grandparents, students, alumni and fans to catch all the action, live or on-demand.

• bBIG Live provides downloadable post-game film for coaches to upload to Hudl or other preferred coaching software.

• As a bonus, bBIG Live can also make special announcements, including general school announcements, reminders or shout outs to specific family members or alums watching to personalize the experience.

Pingree Math Teacher John Young and Alumnus Tom Smith ’08 Team Up for TV Special

by Leah Hancock

Pingree School is excited to share that math teacher John Young and alumnus Thomas Smith ’08 teamed up recently for the second season of the NESN Marathon Motivations Sports Spotlight Series.

Marathon Motivations was created by Tom, president/co-founder of The Thomas E. Smith Foundation, to display the amazing strength of the human spirit as well as to inspire and motivate people to “be the change that they want to see in the world.”

This year’s show features John along with Stanley Cup Champion and Boston Bruins legend Zdeno Chara, marathon icon Rick Hoyt and his nephews Troy and Cam, and cancer survivor and marathon enthusiast Susan Hurley. Each of these inspiring individuals participated in the Boston Marathon on April 16, to make a significant impact within their respective communities. The episode originally aired on NESN on Sunday, March 19, and the full episode is available on YouTube.

John and Tom’s relationship began over 15 years ago when Tom was a student in John’s math classes in grades 10 and 12. They stayed in touch after Tom graduated from Pingree, but their bond deepened after the first of Tom’s three major spinal cord injuries in August of 2009, setting him on a life-altering path of perseverance, courage, and connection. After recovering from his first injury, Tom sustained another, completely unrelated, spinal cord injury while playing hockey on October 1, 2009 when he was originally cleared, doctors told Tom he had a better chance of winning the lottery 5 times in a row than having two separate accidents of this nature. Tragedy struck again on January 11, 2010, when Tom and his father were in a serious car accident. Both men were hospitalized with spinal cord injuries. Rather than submitting to a “why me/why us” mentality, Tom and the Smith family dedicated themselves to raising awareness around paralysis, being advocates for patients with spinal cord injuries, and developing the Look Up Line™ to increase safety in youth hockey.

After his first injury, local therapists warned Tom and his family that it was likely he’d be wheelchair-bound for the rest of his lift. Refusing to accept a dead-end, he went to Florida for a grueling rehabilitation program at the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis Center. Within nine months of his initial injury, Tom regained strength and mobility, being cleared to play hockey at a high level once again.

2009 was a transformative year for John as well; after seeing a video of Dick and Rick Hoyt competing in an Ironman triathlon, John laced up his shoes and hit the pavement, completing his first triathlon that year at the age of 43. Since then, he has completed over 50 triathlons, including 10 half-Ironman distance races and Ironman Maryland in 2016, and 20 marathons, including the Boston and New York City marathons six times each.

This refusal to accept conventional wisdom and forge their own paths is a trait the two men have in common.

John shares, “One of the most common things people say to me is, ‘I could NEVER run a marathon’ and my response is always the same: ‘You have to want to do it.’ I truly believe anyone can do it if they put in the work and have a positive mindset but you have to truly believe in yourself.”

Photo provided by Tom Smith

Tom Smith ’08 with his Pingree teacher John Young.

THAYER ACADEMY | BRAINTREE, MASSACHUSETTS

Restoring Balance to Youth Sports is Topic of Athletics Coffee at Thayer

As a lifelong athlete and former cross country and track coach, Linda Flanagan understands the positive role youth sports can play in the lives of young athletes, but she also understands the perils and pitfalls.

“Youth sports are great, but they’re warped now,” said Flanagan, who is also a freelance journalist and researcher and whose acclaimed book, Take Back The Game, examines how decades of big money and high stakes have taken their toll on what was once generally viewed as simply fun, healthy recreation. Flanagan was Thayer’s guest March 3 during an athletics coffee hosted by Athletic Director Bobbi Moran. The well-attended event began with a conversation between Moran and Flanagan and ended with a spirited Q&A that tackled many of the third rails of American youth sports: the dwindling role played by town sports leagues, the emergence of sometimes expensive club teams and AAU programs, the demand for year-round training and specialization at earlier and earlier ages, the boorish behavior of some parents in the stands, and the risks to the long-term physical and mental health of children.

For Flanagan, the shift in youth sports began in the 1970s when towns saw a decrease in parks & recreation funding and the private sector began to fill the void to wild success. Over time, she said, youth sports in the United States grew to what it is now: a $19 billion dollar industry with roughly 30,000 sports complexes spread around the country.

“Youth sports are a giant industry,” she told audience members. “It’s not just you. There are all these forces at work that are trying to get you to spend your money.”

And combine that, she said, with the astronomical expense of a college education, the competition to gain admittance to “the right” college or university, and the often zero-sum game of athletic recruiting, and there really isn’t much room for fun.

“It’s just that the stakes are so high,” she said. “These are the pressures at work that make youth sports so fraught.”

Despite the weighty topic, the mood of the discussion was far from dour. Parents and guardians offered thoughtful questions, shared their own experiences, and thanked both Flangan and Moran for their candor. At one point, Moran asked for a show of hands to see how many audience members had played youth sports; the athletic director saw a sea of raised hands. She then asked for another

show of hands to see how many of those same people had parents and guardians who had attended every one of those youth games; there were a handful of raised arms at most.

“We all turned out okay,” said Moran.

Both passionate about the positive effect youth sports can have on children and their families, Moran and Flanagan offered several practical suggestions. Flanagan said even top athletes should have five non-sports activities that they enjoy doing, and she urged families to push back on particularly egregious sports demands on time and training. She said a student pursuing extra training or topnotch competition is laudable so long as that’s what the student truly wants.

“Let them be the ones driving the sports bus,” said Flanagan.

Moran agreed and said the question to children should be: “What is it you want, and how can I help you to become the best version of yourself?”

Head of School Chris Fortunato P ’26, ’28 thanked guests and attendees before reminding audience members that they have the power to address these issues guided by honest reflection and not fear.

“We are the system,” said Fortunato. “All of us — we are the system.”

PHOTO COURTESY THAYER ACADEMY

Fope Ayo of Austin Prep tips off against Catarina Ravosa of WMA.

A NEPSAC Trailblazing Triumph Inaugural NEPSAC Girls Basketball NCAA-Certified June Scholastic Event

by Ayo Hart | Photos by Twin ViZuals Photography

Once upon a time, the boys had their time in the spotlight, showcasing their basketball talents at not one but two NCAA-certified June scholastic events. But for the girls, the opportunity remained a distant dream. That is, until the determined individuals of NEPSGBA (the Girls Basketball Association) decided to challenge the status quo and bring equality to the court.

In the fall of 2021, in my roles as NEPSGBA president and head coach at Sacred Heart Greenwich, I reached out to the NCAA Office of Certification and Enforcement. The initial request to host a similar event for girls was met with disappointment. However, undeterred by the setback, the relentless pursuit continued. And in January of 2022, the NCAA bestowed their approval upon the Girls Basketball June Scholastic Event, officially adding it to the Women’s Basketball Recruiting Calendar for June 2023.

The stage was set for an extraordinary gathering, and it did not disappoint. Nearly 300 student-athletes from 52 member schools in our conference flocked to our picturesque campus at Sacred Heart Greenwich, driving down from as far as Vermont and even flying in from Seattle and Puerto Rico. They came not only to compete alongside their teammates but also to forge new friendships with players from other member schools.

With anticipation soaring, the student-athletes were met with an awe-inspiring sight. Roughly 100 NCAA coaches from every level eagerly assumed their courtside positions, armed with notebooks and cell phones, ready to take note of both established

talents and rising stars. There were numerous barn burners including a buzzer beater on Day 2 and a double overtime thriller on the final day.

Following the event, a comprehensive survey was conducted, gathering feedback from NCAA coaches, NEPSAC student-athletes, NEPSAC coaches, and NEPSAC parents. The response was overwhelmingly positive. NCAA coaches raved about the event’s usefulness in their recruiting endeavors. Not only were they able to evaluate potential student-athletes already on their radar, but they also had the rare opportunity to expand their list of prospects, an invaluable experience usually elusive in the confines of a 40+ court convention center.

NEPSAC student-athletes marveled at the unique advantage they had enjoyed. Unlike AAU tournaments where coaches tend to focus on the top courts exclusively, every court at our event was a top court. The abundance of talent showcased the depth and caliber of NEPSAC basketball, transcending class divisions from AA to Class D.

A notable departure from tradition was our decision to exclude parents from the gymnasium during the showcase. Initially conceived to accommodate the multitude of NCAA coaches, the idea received unanimous support from both NCAA and NEPSAC coaches. The consensus was that the absence of parents created an environment where the event thrived. The resounding absence of parental coach-

SACRED HEART GREENWICH | GREENWICH, CONNECTICUT

ing, sideline distractions, bantering with officials and post-game interrogations allowed the student-athletes to play with unparalleled freedom and focus.

While we empathize with the challenge parents faced in not being able to watch the games live, the overwhelmingly positive feedback from NCAA coaches, officials, NEPSAC coaches, and the student-athletes themselves confirms that an incredible atmosphere was born from this decision. The live streaming of games through our valued sponsor, PlaySight, further extended the reach, with numerous college coaches tuning in remotely, adding another layer of engagement and exposure.

The impact of the showcase has been nothing short of extraordinary. Numerous student-athletes have already received offers and invitations for visits, a testament to the event’s efficacy. As we eagerly look towards the future, we are confident that the Girls Basketball June Scholastic Event will continue to flourish and grow. My favorite part of the event was watching girls from different teams high five each other, hang out in the bleachers and in the halls together, and really start to embody the spirit of

NEPSAC. Typically, when you go to these types of showcases, you see a lot of ball hogs and poor shot selection as everyone tries to outshine the next person. Last week, each and every player no matter who they were mixed with celebrated the successes of the player next to them and sometimes even across from them.

I was equally impressed with the commitment of so many NEPSAC coaches who gave up time during what would normally be their summer holiday to travel with their teams, and some with just one or two student-athletes to coach and support their girls. Many of our coaches would normally be on vacation right now, or at least definitely not coaching their teams. The fact that so many dropped everything midweek to be here, and a few arrived early to set up or stayed on well beyond the completion of their teams’ games to help run the clocks, break down and clean up is proof that we have truly cultivated an extraordinary culture at NEPSAC. While I might have spearheaded the proposal to the NCAA, this event would never have been possible without the help of so many NEPSAC coaches who selflessly volunteered their time for our student-athletes.

Not a single NCAA coach has expressed hesitation to attend next year’s event, and somehave even reached out to express their remorse for missing out this year. They eagerly anticipate Super Sunday, our much-anticipated annual event hosting championship and all-star games for every class from AA to D.

The inaugural Girls Basketball NCAA-certified June Scholastic Event has indeed paved the way fora new era of opportunities and recognition for our NEPSAC student-athletes and has solidly put NEPSAC Girls Basketball on the map of national recognition as the most dense concentration of talent in one conference.

For more photos, visit the Event Gallery

Aseem Rastogi made his debut at the helm of Worcester Academy.

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Teacher Julia Allain Writes Sports Psychology Book

In Everything I Got, GCDS psychology teacher and mental skills coach Julia Allain shares lessons from growing up in a world of sports to help players find success both on and off the playing field. Using her personal playing and coaching experience, academic research, and sports history, Allain provides thirty powerful lessons that challenge us all to re-examine the concept of an athletic identity, harness the power of emotions, and redefine the goal-setting process.

According to Allain, a 2019 national survey revealed that the average kid in the United States quits the sport they are playing by the age of eleven because it isn’t fun anymore. Plagued by the pressure, emotional stress, and the constant fear of failure, athletic experiences have started to take more from many athletes than they give.

In this book, athletes find the true value of the game and elite sports performance.

“As I have worked as a coach and sports psychology consultant, I have seen a shift that has started to take a lot of the value away from sports. This both worries and saddens me. Whether it be a focus on status, money, or trophies, the games we play have evolved from an experience to a means to an end, robbing us all

LOOMIS CHAFFEE SCHOOL | WINDSOR, CONNECTICUT

Julia Allain ’10 Writes Book on Preparing the Mind for the Game

Miss the first of two free throws, and somewhere inside that brain the chatter does nothing for your confidence as you step to the line for the second. Get a hit in your first at-bat, and you feel good stepping up to the plate the next time. Mind games.

“Unfortunately, making that first shot makes us feel better about taking the second because a lot of us have developed reactive confidence — confidence that relies on outcomes and context to grow and develop,” said Julia Allain ’10, founder of Allain Mental Performance LLC. “I work with athletes on creating proactive confidence — confidence that we develop based on our preparation and things we control, so as a result, we approach both that first shot and that second shot exactly the same regardless of the outcome. If our confidence is dependent on things such as rewards, outcomes, or other people’s reactions, we are leaving our confidence to chance rather than taking control of one of the most important elements of our performance.”

Visit Loomis Chaffee’s website for the rest of their article about Julia and her book.

of not just the experience of competing, but also the ability to perform at our best due to the increased pressure. Therefore, I hope this book offers both perspective and strategies to keep the love and fun of the game alive and help us all become the best versions of ourselves both on and off the field,” said Allain.

“AN EXCELLENT ROADMAP FOR HOW YOU CAN GROW YOUR MENTAL GAME AND GET THE MOST OUT OF THE SPORT YOU LOVE. I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO PLAYERS, COACHES, PARENTS, AND ANYONE THAT WANTS TO TAKE STEPS TOWARD THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.”

—DAN MUSE, HEAD COACH OF THE USA HOCKEY NATIONAL TEAM DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL | GREENWICH, CONNECTICUT

Photos by Suz Lundeen

Not only is Julia Allain a graduate of Loomis Chaffee, her NEPSAC pedigree also includes teaching and coaching stints at Cushing Academy and Greenwich Country Day School. Click the image below to find her book at amazon.com.

A Diving Interest Takes Flight in NEPSAC

Wheeler has a long history of programming that began with a simple question, inspired by curiosity: “Do you think we might be able to make ‘this’ happen?” And the story of year one of varsity diving in the Upper School is no different.

When longtime swim coaches Kristin Murphy P’19, P’23 and Jim Filippo learned that Wheeler would be returning to the NEPSAC last fall, it didn’t take them long to reach out to Director of Athletics Sean Kelly ’02, P’35 and ask that question about diving.

“To their credit, Jim and Kristin were all over this idea,” Coach Kelly says. “They highlighted the fact that in the NEPSAC, unlike our former league, there was an opportunity for diving, and they stressed that the scores from diving would be part of the swimming and diving championships each year going forward. In our previous time in the NEPSAC, Wheeler had missed out on boosting our overall score because we only had swimming. Most importantly, they shared that we had a handful of current students who were genuinely interested in diving.”

With all of that taken into consideration, Coach Kelly was on board, but now they needed to figure out how to dive in.

Given that only a handful of pools in the greater Providence area have one-meter boards, opportunities were limited. “Throw in the logistics of colleges using their own pools for practice, limited practice times due to outside rentals, insurance, transportation, finding a coach, etc., and it was an uphill battle that didn’t look promising,” Coach Kelly says. However, it was the extended hand of another Rhode Island NEPSAC school that finally helped secure Wheeler’s first varsity diving season.

“We are incredibly thankful for the help of St. George’s, especially their AD Bob Pipe and the diving coach Jeff Mitchem,” says Coach Kelly. “Working together, we really embraced some creativity to make this happen, and it turned out to be a tremendous success. The driving force for everyone involved was to find a way to ensure we followed through on the interests of these student-athletes.”

Twice a week throughout their inaugural diving season, Catalina Smith ’25, Nina Gonzalez ’23, Alyssa Roop ’23, and Jackson Page ’25 made their way to St. George’s Newport campus for practice with members of the St. George’s team and Coach Mitchem. “Our four divers rose to the occasion and accepted the challenges of learning the many intricacies of diving techniques,” Coach Kelly says. “In addition to the practices and the accompanying dedication of getting to and from Aquidneck Island, these Warriors participated in a pair of diving meets the first ever in Wheeler history all of which was in preparation for the NEPSSA Swimming and Diving Championships in March.”

At the championship, the boys team placed second overall and the girls team placed third, and Wheeler’s divers played an integral part in those strong performances.

“This was an incredible experience for our kids and our program,” says Coach Filippo. “We are excited to take this momentum and build on this individual and team success.”

HOPKINS SCHOOL | NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT

Leading with Heart: Don Bagnall

Don Bagnall’s Legacy Goes Far Beyond Sports Medicine

In the small shared office at the back of the athletic training room, Don Bagnall—who has served as an athletic trainer at Hopkins for 41 years—pulls out a large cardboard box from his top drawer and places it on his desk. Having just announced that he will retire following the 2022–2023 school year, Bagnall is finally starting to pause and reflect on his time here.

“These are a few letters and cards I’ve been sent over the years,” he explains.

Bagnall is being modest as always. There aren’t just a few notes. There are so many of them that they’re spilling out from all sides. All handwritten from students and parents, some of the ink on the pages has faded from over four decades of wear. Each note tells a different story but shares the same sentiment: Thank you, Don.

“These get you through the difficult parts of the day,” says Bagnall.

It may be hard for many in the Hopkins community to imagine an athletic competition without spotting Bagnall walking up and down the sidelines, the strap to his medical bag thrown over his shoulder as he patiently surveys the field. It may be strange for students and returning alums next year to not spot him in the hallways of the athletic center cracking a dry joke or asking a student how they’re feeling. Bagnall is also having a tough time imagining it himself.

“My gut says it’s time to retire, but my head and my heart will argue until the cows come home,” he says.

In his tenure at Hopkins, Bagnall has become much more than an athletic trainer on the sidelines. This past December, on the day his retirement was announced across the School’s social media accounts, a flood of comments rolled in from alumni of all ages, congratulating Bagnall on his renowned career. Many added anecdotes, inside jokes, and memories of injuries and sore muscles that Bagnall tended to through the years. Many were also quick to mention the seemingly endless roll of medical tape that Bagnall always had handy.

Most of the words of appreciation stored within the cardboard box and in the digital space, however, have nothing to do with physical injuries. They speak to Bagnall’s role as a listener and a provider of emotional safety during the difficult adolescent years. While an injury may have brought students to Bagnall’s medical table, they often returned for additional support, whether it be

to voice frustration around their recovery timeline or something completely unrelated to sports. Bagnall’s approach in those moments has always been to listen but also to know when it’s time to encourage them to move forward.

“The training room was an area of refuge and meditation,” remembers Brock Dubin ’90. “Don was able to not only get us healthy and back on the field but was always the comforting hand on our shoulder to let us know that we were capable of handling the rigors of achieving success at Hopkins,” he added.

The more visible side of Bagnall’s role as Athletic Trainer is when he runs onto the field to tend to an injury. In those moments, the Hopkins community gets to see him at his best: calm and measured even during moments of heightened uncertainty. An eternal optimist with an empathetic but direct approach, Bagnall seems unflappable in moments of crisis.

“No matter what the injury is, it can be devastating to the kid and their parents. In those moments, you have to be clear and direct about what’s going on and what they can expect from their recovery,” explains Bagnall. The next step after dealing with the initial incident is the process of rehabilitation where athletes continue to see Bagnall in his office as they heal.

“Don made you feel seen and cared about, and as a teenager, that meant so much more than a good grade or strong test score,” says Gigi Clark ’08, who played field hockey at Hopkins. Clark recalls a story that encapsulates Bagnall’s attentiveness.

“Visiting Don’s office was a must after school, before practice. He always had either a funny zinger or a snack stashed away. Don diagnosed my freakishly cold hands as Raynaud’s Syndrome on the spot and always checked on my frigid digits in cold weather afterwards. I didn’t even know I had a syndrome, but he was paying attention to what I was complaining about and looking for a gentle solution. He always did caring things like this—going above and beyond what was asked of the athletic trainer simply because he cared.”

His ability to be the rock amidst chaos especially came in handy during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he played an instrumental role on the School’s COVID-19 task force. 109th Head of School Kai Bynum spent a good portion of his tenure at Hopkins working with Bagnall closely during the most heightened moments of the pandemic.

“Don is a trusted colleague, advisor, and friend. He was always our leader for health and medical issues facing Hopkins, and this became even more important as we were navigating the COVID crisis,” said Bynum. “For me, however, his guidance extended beyond the medical world. He truly cares about people and he understands the School. We talked about life and what we value, and he helped me believe in the idea of hope that brought so many of us together,” Bynum added.

Since arriving here in the early 1980s, Bagnall’s warm disposition has created an open door for students who look to Don as a mentor and friend. According to the people who experienced his care firsthand, this is his true legacy at Hopkins. Although it’s never been part of his job description, Bagnall says being there for his students at all times is paramount.

“There aren’t a lot of things more important in life than caring for kids when they need it most,” says Bagnall. “You are dealing with people at a stage in their lives when they face a lot of challenges, so taking the time to give them space, an ear, or a pat on the back is crucial.”

An Accomplished Run

A prolific long-distance runner with several marathons under his belt (all accomplished after the age of 60), Bagnall is uniquely qualified to apply running metaphors to his own life and career. We have all heard people say, “Life is a marathon, not a sprint,” but when Bagnall says it, it rings true.

Bagnall has earned many honors in his career’s marathon. As an Olympic Committee Sports Medicine Division Volunteer, he has worked at all three U.S. Olympic training centers, several international Pan American Games, and the 2004 Athens Para-lympic Games. He has acted as clinical supervisor for Southern Connecticut State University and Quinnipiac University interns, and has served on numerous professional athletic training and sports medicine committees at the state, district, and national levels. Bagnall has also served as liaison to the Academy of Pediatrics Council on Sports Medicine & Fitness, among many other roles, including his time as an EMT volunteer, as well as multiple summers spent working in physical therapy and orthopedic offices.

“A few people have described me as a jack of all trades, master of some,” jokes Bagnall. As the credentials have stacked

Bagnall at work on the field.

up, Bagnall says others outside of the school world periodically ask him why he didn’t go and work in higher education or professional leagues like the NFL, as some of his peers in the sports medicine industry have.

“I stayed because of the free lunch here,” says Bagnall with a warm grin. Jokes aside, Bagnall says the real reason he stayed at Hopkins was the respect he has been given since the first day he walked onto campus. According to Bagnall, the role of the athletic trainer has always been taken seriously at Hopkins, and even in the early years, he was looked upon as an expert.

Bagnall has also gained respect outside of Hopkins. As one example, in January 2023, he was inducted as a member of the Eastern Athletic Trainers’ Association (EATA) ’49 Club, the highest recognition that can be achieved in his district. The award, which places Bagnall in the EATA Hall of Fame, recognizes those whose district, state, and EATA contributions demonstrate sustained service and leadership.

Family First

It is perhaps fitting that Bagnall discovered his love for sports medicine while attending school himself at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School. After cutting him from his ninth grade soccer team, his Health & Physical Education Instructor, Jay Schofield, encouraged him to consider sports management the following school year. Bagnall agreed and began managing his school’s basketball team. His organizational skills and engaging personality made him a natural fit as a manager, but it was watching Schofield take care of Bagnall’s fellow classmates’ injuries that piqued his interest the most. Before long, Bagnall was devouring sports medicine books and soaking up everything he could. By the time high school ended, he had found his path. When applying for positions as an athletic trainer, Bagnall says he felt a kinship with Hopkins immediately because of its small community feel, which felt similar to his upbringing on Martha’s Vineyard. After accepting the job, Bagnall packed up his life in his Volkswagen Beetle en route to New Haven. He’s never looked back.

“I like belonging to a group,” says Bagnall. “There was and still is the overall sense of community and the relationships you build that are deeply seated here. It truly is a family.”

Athletic Director Rocco DeMaio echoed this idea on the day Bagnall’s retirement was announced. “Don has embodied what it means to be part of the ‘Hopkins Family’ for over four decades,” said DeMaio. “His personable, dignified, and professional manner has enabled him to connect with and influence so many students during his tenure on the Hill. His friendship, passion, and positive leadership will be impossible to replace,” he added.

A Career in Chapters

Bagnall says he looks back at his Hopkins career in chapters. Like when he started advising to get to know students in a different way or the unforgettable five-year period he spent living with

his young family on campus in Alumni House, where the communications and advancement offices now live. This was a particularly exciting time for Bagnall’s children, Rebecca ’09 and Will ’12, who practically grew up on the sidelines beside their father.

“Even though I wanted to see all the action, I did learn to stay on the sidelines specifically when my Dad would have to run out onto the field when a player got hurt,” remembers Rebecca. “When we weren’t playing in the end zones, Will and I would often hang by the coveted golf cart and watch our Dad evaluate various injuries.”

Years later, Will and Rebecca attended Hopkins, which was a different chapter altogether.

“People who didn’t know my Dad or weren’t affiliated with Hopkins always asked me if it was weird to go to the school where he worked, but I honestly felt so lucky. Will and I always joke that our Dad was more popular than us in high school. I loved our car rides, being able to get hot cocoa in the cafe, and just stop and say hi to him. My Dad was such a support, but also didn’t overstep and let us find our own way at Hopkins,” remembers Rebecca.

When his children entered Hopkins as students, Bagnall gave them a joke to use if they ever encountered a fellow student who was critical of him. “I’d tell them to say, ‘Hey at least you don’t have to live with him,’” recalls Bagnall. As a true testament to Bagnall’s likability, Will and Rebecca never had to use that joke.

Leaving an Impact

The culture of caring Bagnall has cultivated during his Hopkins tenure has trickled through all aspects of the Hopkins Athletic Department. When Dr. Candice Norcott ’97 returned to speak at an all-school assembly, she said she immediately felt a sense of safety as she entered the athletic center even if it had been decades since she was in there. “I felt so comfortable speaking with any adult around campus, whether it be a teacher or popping in to see Don Bagnall for a chat. What sticks out to me is that I was always greeted with a warm grin from everyone, and no matter what issue I was dealing with, I felt seen.”

Will Bagnall says he feels immense pride when discussing his father’s legacy.

“From my early days scurrying around the football team, through high school, and still to this day, I get compared to my Dad a lot, especially because we look so much alike. Far from being annoying or embarrassing, it has been something to be proud of, but also has motivated me to live up to the standard my Dad has set,” says Will.

Bagnall isn’t clear what retirement will look like. He’s sure there will be some running involved and most likely some volunteering. The only thing that is certain is that as more warm words of gratitude come his way, he’s going to need to invest in a larger cardboard box to house them all.

DON MADE YOU FEEL SEEN AND CARED ABOUT, AND AS A TEENAGER, THAT MEANT SO MUCH MORE THAN A GOOD GRADE OR STRONG TEST SCORE.

GIGI CLARK ’08

Why and How to Prioritize Sleep for Mental Wellness

Whether in high school or in college, your athletes are probably not getting enough sleep to maximize their potential at practice and on gameday. As a coach, this can be frustrating, since it can seem out of your control. In fact, even athletes themselves have little control over how much they sleep, since they often deal with two-a-day practices, mountains of homework, and, for college students, classes at strange times and unruly roommates. But there are some controllable ways athletes can boost their sleep for the better.

TrueSport Expert Charron Sumler, LPCC, is the Athletic Counselor for Ohio State University, where she helps athletes better understand the connection between sleep and mental wellbeing. Here, she shares a few tips and tools to help coaches better understand the challenges faced by athletes and pave the way to better sleep, better mental health, and better performance on the field.

WHY ATHLETES SHOULD PRIORITIZE SLEEP

Understand the Role Sleep Plays for Performance “You simply cannot talk about mental health without talking about sleep,” says Sumler. “When you look at all of the strategies that are marketed towards athletes to boost preparation and recovery, none of them are as effective or as important as simply getting enough sleep.”

In fact, one study found that basketball players who were getting six hours of sleep or less per night had 30 percent lower levels of concentration than those who got the recommended amount. Research has also shown that physical performance from players who weren’t sleeping enough dropped by roughly a third, including time to exhaustion. Additionally, the risk of injury increased: Over a single season, athletes in that study were 80 percent more likely to be injured. Finally, insufficient sleep has been linked to decreased focus and concentration while playing.

Understand the Role Sleep Plays for Mental Health

It can be easy to explain the performance benefits of sleep to your athletes, but the mental health piece is just as important, especially for young athletes who deal with high stress levels on and off the playing field.

“I don’t think there’s a single mental health disorder that doesn’t affect sleep or is not affected by sleep,” says Sumler. “But even beyond mental

health disorders, your ability to manage your emotions is decreased when you aren’t sleeping enough. So is your perception of how difficult things are. A workout that was fine yesterday can suddenly seem impossible to finish after a night of poor or inadequate sleep. And those kinds of mental blocks start to increase more with more sleep deprivation.”

Understand What “Enough Sleep” Means for Adolescents It may come as a surprise, but teens and young adults often require more than the 7-9 hours that are recommended for adults. Young athletes in particular need more sleep to allow their bodies time to fully recover.

“Often, I hear from college athletes who think six hours of sleep is adequate, because they’ve heard that 6-8 hours of sleep is ‘normal,’” says Sumler. “Athletes think they’re in the safe zone with that amount of sleep, but that’s actually sleep deprivation.”

Ideally, athletes should be getting 9–9.5 hours of sleep every night, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.

HOW TO PRIORITIZE SLEEP

Start with Improving Total Time in Bed Most athletes and students assume that time in bed is

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the same as time spent sleeping.

“Unfortunately, if an athlete was in bed for eight hours, that doesn’t mean they were sleeping for eight hours,” Sumler says. “To sleep for eight hours, most people need to be in bed for around 10 hours.”

Simply understanding that reality can change when an athlete starts to wind down for the evening. If they’re planning to sleep from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. to get the full nine hours of sleep, they may actually need to get into bed around 9 p.m.

Ask Athletes to Track Their Sleep What gets measured gets managed. But most athletes do not think much about their sleeping habits. They are aware that sleep is good but rarely record when they went to bed, when they woke up, how refreshed they feel, or any specific sleep notes. Encourage your athletes to start keeping track. There are free apps available to track sleep; Sumler recommends Sleep Cycle, a free app that monitors movement through your phone, but a fitness tracker or smart watch will often include a sleep function as well.

“These apps and devices help give athletes a sense of how well they’re really sleeping,” Sumler says. “At minimum, recommend that athletes use a notebook to write down when they went to sleep,

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when they woke up, and how they felt in the morning.” Athletes can also use TrueSport’s Road Map to Clean & Healthy Performance to track nutrition, hydration, and sleep habits.

Recommend Napping Napping is often considered to be something that only very young and very old people need, but the truth is, we can all benefit from naps sometimes! Sumler is a fan of using naps to augment sleep, though not replacing time spent in bed at night.

“Napping won’t make up for only getting six hours of sleep at night, but it can be extremely helpful,” she adds. “I like to suggest athletes get eight hours of sleep and take a 90-minute nap in the afternoon if possible.”

If there isn’t time for a nap, a short meditation can help boost a person’s mood to counter the irritability of sleep deprivation. Meditation can help lower blood pressure and stress levels, providing a sense of calm that improves focus, which can be difficult when sleepy.

Recommend Creating a Nighttime Routine Rituals and routines are great for helping athletes prepare for a restful night of sleep and can lead to higher quality sleep with an optimized environment. Decreasing caffeine intake starting in the early afternoon, shutting the schoolbooks and laptops well before lights out, and decreasing stressful moments in the evening can all help make getting to sleep easier.

“I love a mindfulness practice before bed for athletes,” says Sumler. “Something like a progressive muscle relaxation activity can be really helpful, and I’ve found athletes tend to respond really well to it.”

Having these routines in place at home is ideal, but make sure they can be used on the road as well,

since athletes are often traveling for matches and meets.

Recommend Making the Environment Sleep-Friendly Cool, dark, and quiet are the top three recommendations sleep experts make when it comes to setting up for a great night of rest. The ideal room temperature is 66–69 degrees Fahrenheit, and the less light and sound, the better. In a shared room or while traveling, this could look like using ear plugs and an eye mask, while an athlete with their own room may have blackout blinds on the windows and a white noise machine to block out sound.

How Little Sleep is Too Little? Athletes should feel comfortable coming to you for help with sleep if they are concerned.

“As soon as there’s a sleep concern, an athlete should be talking about it with their coach, caregiver, or another trusted adult,” says Sumler. “We can work to identify the issues and modify their environment to prevent a more severe case of insomnia from occurring. We don’t want to wait for it to become a severe problem, so I encourage athletes to talk to ask for help if they struggle to sleep more than three nights in a row.”

Coaches Need to Take Care of Themselves Too! “I’ve noticed that coaches’ sleep also tends to be extremely deprived,” Sumler concludes. “There is so much focus placed on coaches being better and more compassionate. But if they aren’t sleeping well, it’s going to be really hard for them to have the emotional agility needed to respond compassionately or check in with athletes. So, this advice applies to coaches as well as athletes!”

Takeaway Sleep is one of the most useful and underutilized tools in an athlete’s toolbox, but athletes are rarely encouraged to focus on sleep hygiene. Athletes should be sleeping 9–9.5 hours per night, and doing so will help young athletes perform better, and more importantly, significantly improve their mental well-being.

is everything.

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