Billy Hoy ‘18, Nate Hunter ‘19, Kevin Foster ‘18: The Bike Polo program at EA, led by Perry Zanki, Upper School science teacher, was cut after a slow start to the season due to minimal numbers. Consequently, students were not allowed to replace fitness with bike polo. Bike polo is a version of traditional Bicycle Polo where teams ride bikes and hit a small ball into a goal using a mallet. It is played in the outdoor basketball court next to the Athletic Center.
In the past, bike polo was an intramural option for students who were interested in playing with Zanki. It was based on interest and popularity. Gina Buggy, Director of Athletics comments on a lack of commitment to the program: “Kids would kind of think ‘Ahh they are playing polo I think I will go over there today’ and then they don’t go…And then of course in most recent years we had to take in consideration the safety associated with it.”
As Buggy noted, the sport has struggled in popularity over the years. Another concern for the program is the safety aspect, according to Buggy. “With the extensive athletic program and two athletic trainers covering a lot of things, it would behoove us to have more presence if we are going to offer something like that.” She continues, “We can’t be ripping trainers off to come down here.”
Buggy describes what will be factored into the decision: “If there is a high level of interest of people who are going to commit to it five days a week in place of their fitness option, it would be something we would look out for. But, we would have to consider what the athletic schedule would look like in addition to the athletic trainer’s schedule. It is very hard to pull the trainers off what they are doing for something that we are not especially set up to do.”
Steve Szafara, Class of 2011, and former Bike Polo enthusiast, comments, “It is sad to see a beloved tradition carried on by a passionate teacher ended out of an abundance of caution. Bike polo is certainly less dangerous than football and it costs the school effectively nothing to run. Stopping bike polo sends a bad message to others who would want to be creative in their application of the Mind, Body, and Spirit that Episcopal so proudly promotes.”
Zanki also encourages the continuation of the Bike Polo Program. “I think it is very safe. First of all, I think the people who play Bike Polo really enjoy it. I think it is as safe as any other sport that you might really enjoy. We have more than enough helmets for every student and all the helmets are very new. We have a full set of lacrosse gloves for all the players as well to prevent everyone’s fingers from getting pinched between bikes.” Over his years,
Zanki seems to believe that it is just as safe as other sports on campus. As the fall athletic season is well under way, eyes are starting to turn to the winter season. Word has started to spread about the upcoming sport and newcomer Declan McCarthy ‘18 believes, “It is a great game for everyone, all shapes and sizes, and it is a great team, great environment. We get to meet new people and have fun after school. The coach, Mr. Zanki, is amazing. He really knows his stuff.”
Ryan McCann ‘18 adds, “The bike polo program is a huge asset to our school. It’s been a great experience and if it is cut I honestly think it would be a really big loss. I hope bike polo is here to stay so more people can have the great experience I’ve had out in the pit.”