Interscholastic Athletics and Physical Education
“Playing lacrosse in college was not something I seriously considered until my junior year at Park. My high school coaches, who were collegiate athletes themselves, nurtured my passion for the sport and were instrumental in connecting me with club teams and college coaches as I began my college search in earnest. I am currently in my senior year at Oberlin College, a DIII school, playing as a Yeoman defender. I was named to Second Team All NCAC my freshman year, and First Team All NCAC my sophomore year. The dedication, talent, and lacrosse IQ I needed in college were all developed during my time at Park.”— Emily Berner ’16, lacrosseOberlin College, Second Team All NCAC 2017, First Team All NCAC 2018
— Emily Berner ’16, lacrosse
Oberlin College, Second Team All NCAC 2017, First Team All NCAC 2018
Program Design and Philosophy
Interscholastic Athletics and Physical Education
“Playing lacrosse in college was not something I seriously considered until my junior year at Park. My high school coaches, who were collegiate athletes themselves, nurtured my passion for the sport and were instrumental in connecting me with club teams and college coaches as I began my college search in earnest. I am currently in my senior year at Oberlin College, a DIII school, playing as a Yeoman defender. I was named to Second Team All NCAC my freshman year, and First Team All NCAC my sophomore year. The dedication, talent, and lacrosse IQ I needed in college were all developed during my time at Park.”
— Emily Berner ’16, lacrosse
Oberlin College, Second Team All NCAC 2017, First Team All NCAC 2018
Program Design and Philosophy
Interscholastic Athletics
From Grade 4 in Lower School, through Middle School, and competitive varsity level teams in the Upper School, Park emphasizes a balanced approach. We teach fundamental athletic skills, conditioning and fitness, game strategy, and the lifelong skills of perseverance, commitment to a common goal, overcoming adversity, and winning with humility and integrity. Led by two full-time athletic directors, our teacher-coaches build personal relationships with their student athletes that mirror the values, habits of mind, and character nurtured in the classroom.
We value both participation and a competitive spirit. In the Lower School and Middle School, all students who wish to try out for a team are included and receive playing time. Beginning in the eighth grade, and increasing each year through junior varsity and varsity levels, skilled and dedicated athletes receive the majority of the playing time; it is our goal to field competitive teams and win games, playoff victories, and championships. Both boys and girls play in highly competitive leagues, the MIAA and IAAM respectively.
Physical Education
Park’s comprehensive physical education program is offered to Lower and Middle School students. In Upper School, students choose between participation in interscholastic athletics and physical education electives, including but not limited to mountain bike club, ultimate frisbee, climbing wall, yoga, service team, and fitness and strength training.
The mission of the physical education program is to provide students with the basic foundation of motor and manipulative skills, an understanding of the importance of physical fitness and sport, and the opportunity to develop effective personal and social skills. Students will be provided the opportunity and information necessary to make decisions about physical activity for their personal challenge, enjoyment, health, self-expression, and social interaction. Our goal is to promote a positive learning environment that meets the needs and abilities of all students and encourages them to maintain a physically active lifestyle.
Interscholastic Athletics
Upper School
Fall: Boys’ Cross Country (V), Girls’ Cross Country (V), Boys’ Soccer (JV, V), Field Hockey (JV, V), Girls’ Soccer (JV, V), Girls’ Tennis (JV, V)
Winter: Boys’ Basketball (JV, V), Girls’ Basketball (JV, V), Girls’ Indoor Soccer (V), Coed Squash (JV, V)
Spring: Baseball (V), Softball (V), Boys’ Lacrosse (V), Girls’ Lacrosse (JV, V), Boys’ Tennis (JV, V)
Participation
• 65% of Upper School students participate in interscholastic athletics.
Middle School
(1-3 teams per sport, depending on participation)
Fall: Coed Cross Country, Boys’ Soccer, Field Hockey, Girls’ Soccer
Winter: Boys’ Basketball, Girls’ Basketball, Coed Squash
Spring: Baseball, Boys’ Lacrosse, Girls’ Lacrosse, Softball, Coed Tennis
Lower School
Grades 4 and 5
(1 team per sport)
Fall: Boys’ Soccer, Field Hockey
Winter: Girls’ Soccer
Spring: Boys’ Lacrosse, Girls’ Lacrosse
Team Accomplishments 2012–2021
Fall:
Cross Country–Boys’: MIAA Individual Championship (2014, 2016), B-Conference Championship (2016)
Cross Country–Girls’: IAAM Individual Championship (2015), C-Conference Championship (2016, 2018)
Field Hockey: C-Conference Champions (2016, 2017)
Soccer–Boys’: JV B-Conference Finals (2013, 2015)
Soccer–Girls’: C-Conference Champions (2016, 2017) C-Conference Varsity Finals (2012), Varsity Semi-finals (2015)
Tennis–Girls’: Varsity B-Conference Finals (2019)
Winter:
Basketball–Boys’: Varsity Semi-finals (2012, 2019), JV Champions (2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018), JV Finals (2015)
Basketball–Girls’: C-Conference JV Finals (2015, 2016, 2017, 2019) JV Champions (2018)
Indoor Soccer–Girls’: B-Conference Varsity Champions (2013), Varsity Finals (2012, 2015, 2017), Varsity Semi-finals (2013, 2014, 2016, 2018)
Spring:
Lacrosse–Boys’: B-Conference Varsity Finals (2015), Varsity Semi-finals (2015)
Lacrosse–Girls’: B-Conference Varsity Champions (2013, 2021), Varsity Finals (2018), Varsity Semi-finals (2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019)
Softball: C–Conference Varsity Finals (2018, 2019), Varsity Semi-finals (2017, 2019, 2021)
Tennis–Boys’: Semi-finals (2016), B-Conference Champions (2018, 2021)
Baseball: C-Conference Varsity Finals (2021)
Individual Accomplishments 2012–2021
Boys: 84 athletes selected to MIAA All-Conference Teams
Girls: 117 athletes selected to IAAM All-Conference Teams:
13 named to U.S. Lacrosse Academic All-America Team (2012–2021)
Athletic Director: Robin Cardin Lowe ’84, IAAM Athletic Director of the Year (2014)
“Being in a leadership role on sports teams and in the Bruin Athletic Council at Park gave me a wider perspective beyond just the wins and losses. This deeper understanding led to my desire to be a part of a team in search of a common goal, which helped tremendously in the college recruiting process. I realized that playing sports in college would give me stronger relationships and more lasting bonds that wouldn’t be possible if I wasn’t involved in athletics on campus. I truly think this is because at Park, I was encouraged to not only commit 100% to the teams that I was a a part of, but I also learned the value of diversifying my experience.”
— Steven Villacorta ’17, lacrosse, soccer, Bruin Athletic Council leader
Denison University, Varsity lacrosse
Athletic Facilities
State-of-the-Art Athletic Center
42,000 square feet, opened in the fall of 2001 • 3 competition-length basketball courts • 2,300-square-foot fitness center with aerobic and cardio machines, circuit training, and free weights • Athletic trainer’s room with whirlpool and treatment tables • Home and visiting team locker rooms • 8-lane swimming pool, training pool for summer camp • 2 additional competition-length basketball courts in the Blaustein Gymnasiums
Playing Fields
5 fields on main campus for field hockey, soccer, and lacrosse, including the new, state-of-the-art AstroTurf field
4 fields on Sugar Campus in Greenspring Valley for baseball, softball, lacrosse, and soccer (5-minute ride from main campus)
