Woody Nimoityn ’15: Though Dr. TJ Locke and Dr. Delvin Dinkins are best known for their administrative roles at Episcopal, they both have also enjoyed successful athletic careers. Scholium sat down with each to discuss their athletic hobbies and pastimes.
Scholium: What drew you to sports as a child? Dr. Locke: I loved baseball. I was a huge baseball fan, and knew every player’s batting average. Before I could play in any leagues, I always played catch with my dad. Dr. Dinkins: Just hanging out, and the fun of it. I had
lots of bikes and skateboards, and enjoyed being around people.
S: As a high school student, what sports did you participate in?
L: I played baseball. My senior year we were number 4 in the nation, and our rival was 17, according to USA Today. It was really the talk of the area back then. Itwasalotoffunand we were really good.
D: I did track, soccer, and basketball pretty much year round. I wasn’t huge in any one, it was not until later that track became my love. I enjoyed being part of the team, and being the guy who was always there at practice to encourage my teammates. I was always somebody who was pretty consistent and steady.
S: Did you participate in college sports on a varsity level, and how have you competed as an adult?
L: At Rutgers I picked up volleyball, and got into competitive volleyball. And then I got into beach volleyball, and played on pretty high-level club teams after college. I was playing in the pro-division in Jersey Shore tournaments.
D: At Swarthmore I did varsity track and field. The track team is where I really developed a passion for running and being fit. Now, I actually run and I compete; for example in Penn Relays every year. I also compete in local track meets.
S: What has your coaching experience been like?
L: Where I taught at East Brunswick New Jersey, they started a boys and girls volleyball team. I coached the boys, and eventually picked up the girls team for my last year at the school. We ended up winning the state championship, and I was New Jersey coach of the year.
D: I was the cross country coach, and then I coached boys and girls track for a number of years.
S: How big of a role did EA athletics play in your decision to come to EA?
L: I think it made it feel more comfortable. Athletics in a school isn’t what drives me, but it is a whole lot of fun for me and because I like to compete. It is also a great way for me to connect with the students because they love it and are passionate about it. I was excited about the great athletic tradition here.
D: I have known about the athletic program being a hallmark of the institution, but it didn’t sway me one way or another. I appreciate it, and thought that it would be great to be a part of an atmosphere where my values athletically were consistent with Episcopal’s values athletically. Especially since having had a leadership position as an athlete myself in college, I could appreciate it more.