Darian Mihalakis ’27
The balance between athletics and academics at EA is integral to the school’s identity. Outlined in the mission statement, EA’s commitment to both sports and education fosters a unique environment where both mind and body are highly valued. Now, more than ever, with major changes on the horizon, it’s important for Episcopal to stand by this mission and maintain the delicate balance.
One of the biggest manifestations of this dual commitment is the athletics requirement. The policy benefits students in a multitude of ways, including helping them discover new passions, building school unity, and fostering teamwork. “We want you to understand what it means to work in a team,” explains Head of Upper School Michael Letts.
The requirement has undergone several significant changes in recent years to broaden its appeal, but its mission remains the same. Now, students can also choose to participate in activities like ACLAMO, Robotics, and theater productions as substitutes for fitness seasons. “Over the years, we’ve adjusted and adapted our sports requirement in many different ways to try and accommodate students who may not be particularly interested in interscholastic competition,” says Letts.
This change reflects a significant yet often overlooked reality: EA’s main non-academic focus isn’t necessarily sports but extracurricular activities that benefit the community. “We want you to give back to the community the talents that you have,” explains Letts. “We don’t want students to just come to school at 8 o’clock, go to class, and then drive home. You are all very talented, and there’s an expectation here that you contribute.”
This philosophy is even embodied in the admissions process. Letts explains that when deciding who to admit, the school looks for people who have academic skills and participate in extracurricular activities, whether that be sports or community service. This “community requirement” as Letts calls it, bolsters the school experience in a multitude of ways. As a result of the policy, membership in sports teams is increased, building camaraderie and school spirit. Another benefit is that it forces students out of their comfort zone, allowing them to discover new passions.
Elizabeth Mann ’28 says she wouldn’t have joined tech crew if not for the requirement. “I wouldn’t have taken the initiative, but now that I’m in tech, I really enjoy it,” she explains. Despite the many benefits, the sports requirement is still critiqued for the stress it puts on student-athletes. “In Upper School, with the workload and amount of activities that students have, I just think the requirement sometimes becomes [a little bit too] heavy,” shares Andrew Shimrock, Upper School Spanish teacher.
He expresses curiosity over whether a two-sport and fitness requirement could be beneficial to reduce the pressure on students, a sentiment supported by several students, including star tennis player Preston Lubiniecki ’27. “It would be more understandable if it were two sports a year,” says Lubiniecki, “just so students are less overwhelmed with athletic and academic commitments.”
While it is certainly true that the requirement does add more to students’ workload, there’s still adequate time for students to get all of their work done. “If I take advantage of [my free] time and get the work done, there’s not much of an issue,” shares Ronen Roy ’27, a highly dedicated rower. “I do think the schedule overall is designed [so that] students have time in their schedule to get it [work] done,” Shimrock adds.
Normally, top-tier athletic institutions are unable to also offer a rigorous education; EA can. Mann shares that she appreciates the wide range of courses offered at EA. Students can take vigorous, interesting courses during the day and celebrate big sports wins in the afternoon.
With EA gearing up towards major changes as a result of a funds surplus, this delicate balance between academics and athletics must be maintained. There are too many examples of schools putting academics on the back burner in pursuit of athletic glory. Malvern, for instance, bulldozed its library for a football practice field. To follow in these footsteps would be a tragic mistake that undermines what makes EA so special: it’s not the academics or the athletics, it’s both together.
Furthermore, EA’s sports prowess contributes to a positive community environment where everyone can share in the success of the sports teams. Look no further than Family Fun Night, where the entire school cheers on the football team. Would this event be nearly as big if EA were getting trounced each year?
Admissions must reflect this dual commitment as well. Prioritizing skilled athletes who fail to offer meaningful academic prowess would be a major mistake. There are hundreds of schools across the country that excel in sports and hundreds more that offer top-notch education—it’s the crossover that makes EA stand out.
EA’s unwavering commitment to both academic and athletic excellence is central to the school’s identity. As time passes, the school will undoubtedly make countless changes. But, if it is to maintain its unique position, then the balance between academics and athletics must remain a constant bedrock for EA.
