For the first time in 15 years, SPA has made a big change to improve its sports, taking the initiative to form a committee dedicated to bettering the school’s athletics. The committee was created after receiving results from the Independent Schools Association of the Central States survey, a form sent out to the SPA community looking for feedback about improvements.
The committee is divided into six subcommittees, ensuring every aspect of athletics has an opportunity to be improved based on the provided feedback; the subcommittees consist of student-athlete development, team/program culture, athletics operations, coaching, athletics community, and athletics facilities.
K-12 Director of Athletics Paul Moyer leads the committee, The committee comprises around 75 parents, faculty administration, staff, and alumni, “Six groups are meeting to discuss goals and strategic initiatives in each of the focus areas,” Moyer said.
“We are working towards athletes being involved within the SPA community and outside of the school. For example, … expanding activities like Dig Pink in other sports.” member of the committee, and mother of 24’ alum, Mary Carter said.
“Next, we are looking at how to create a community within each sport [and] how to create equitable experience for athletes in all sports.”
Moyer fuels the vision of the school’s sports: “The goal is to chart a vision and strategic plan that will carry SPA athletics into the future and set us on course for continued excellence,” Moyer said.
Girls varsity soccer parent and 89’ alum Anupam Kharbanda is working on the facilities subcommittee, examining existing athletic facilities and providing a recommendation for which should be repaired or rebuilt. This particular committee then selects engineers and architects to estimate costs and recommend new amenities. “As an alum and parent, I have long felt that our facilities could be improved. Of course, our first priority is education, but my kids have benefited from being engaged in soccer, tennis, and track, and I want others to have even more opportunities,” Kharbanda said.“My hope is that SPA can work to improve the athletic facilities so that students have improved access to strength and conditioning training.”
From a student’s perspective, senior and girls varsity basketball captain Julia Taylor agrees with the facilities subcommittee, “Resources can really determine how you feel just being able to play. So I think [they should upgrade] the facilities,” Taylor said.
Taylor also expressed her desire for more school spirit: “I know it’s like a student thing, you know, you can’t control or make students go to certain games, but I think [the committee could] just encourage more turnout to girls’ games,” she said.
The feeling is mutual between students and committee members. “As a parent, I hope to see planning and changes that create a sense of pride and an increase in school spirit around SPA athletics,” boy’s varsity swim parent and committee member Stephanie Galarneault said.
A strong academic program sets high expectations, as SPA works to match the athletics program to the academics. “My hope is that we can make sure SPA’s high standards will be upheld throughout every co-op sport, regardless of whoever leads,” Galarneault said.
The committee incorporates many members of the community to better the athletics of SPA, by staying attentive to the program, striving to foster a more equal, community oriented, and prideful environment. The facilities subcommittee is visiting the current facilities and creating lists about amenities that could use improvement; while the operations subcommittee is working on the athletics website.
