Michael Zhou ‘21
Peter Woodville ‘21
The EA/Haverford sweater is one of the most coveted objects and valued traditions at the Episcopal Academy. Currently residing just inside the front doors of the Upper School for the first time in over a decade, the half blue-and-white and half red-and-gold sweater represents the long rivalry between EA and Haverford. To some though, it represents much more. Cheryl McLauchlan, senior form dean and long-time math teacher at EA, describes what the tradition means to her: “Unlike the parents here who only have a few children at the school, I have many children here. For every single athlete that plays on every single team, I feel like I’m a part of their life because I interact with them on a daily basis. It’s like rooting for my entire family to win.” Although EA and Haverford have been football rivals for over a hundred years, the sweater itself is only forty years old. The sweater that is framed near the squash courts is a replica given to Hamilton Clark, former head of the Haverford School, when he retired; he later decided to donate it to EA. The sweater that sits in the Upper School is passed between the two schools. Jim Farrell, Assistant Athletic Director, Varsity Cross Country Coach, and EA alumnus, discusses the tradition’s history, which began during his time as a student: “We originally had this tradition where the last game of the year culminated in Haverford. So, in 1980, the heads of both schools came up with a way to celebrate the rivalry by dedicating a day to EA/Haverford competition.” The victor would receive the coveted sweater. The decision was met with instant approval, and the new tradition became a huge success.
In 2005, Agnes Irwin Day and the EA/AIS banner were added as a way for EA girls to compete in the festivities and be a part of the great weekend. Michael Letts, Head of Upper School, explains the original decision making. “Back in 2005, Mr. Clark and former head of Upper School, Mr. Wagg, contacted Agnes Irwin about making a day of competition for the girls. Letts adds, “Surprisingly, the decision was a little controversial at first. Some people were concerned that the decision would dilute the significance associated with Haverford Day and the whole weekend. Looking back now, that mindset seems a bit strange, but the weekend was extremely important to many students and they probably just didn’t want any big changes.” Clearly, the worry and doubt were unfounded, as the AIS addition has been nothing but successful since its debut.
Although EA’s girls have dominated AIS Day, last year was the first time the EA boys won Haverford Day in over ten years. Farrell describes what it was like to finally get over the hump: “We had all those years we didn’t win. […] Last year, things fell in place. […] It was great, not only to be the coach of a team that won, but to win the whole thing. It just creates such a positive atmosphere among the students, and it’s great to see that hard work they put in, finally pay off.”
In the end, the sweater is more than just a sweater. It represents EA’s spirit and struggle, and it allows students to make their mark in EA history. This rings especially true for McLauchlan, who is retiring next year. She concludes, “As a senior dean, nothing would make me happier than to end with us winning this sweater and my senior boys feeling like they had a part in it.”