Alex Burman ’16, Cole Testaiuti ’16: The Episcopal Academy Football team has had a very productive start to its season. Not only have they exercised this productivity on the field, but they also proved to be exemplary within Episcopal’s non-athletic community. As far as athletics go, they have achieved numerous feats already this season – namely, beating Interboro High School and routing The Hill School, 42-20. As for off the field, they continue to impress. The morning following the win against Interboro, Todd Fairlie, Head Coach of the Football Team, had his team clear the trash in the bleachers of the stadium.
Fairlie simply saw an opportunity to help out Episcopal. After noticing the problem, he instructed his team to clear the stands of trash, so they “grabbed a bunch of trash bags and cleaned up.” Although Fairlie did not see much more to the story than students helping the community, I think it serves as an important reminder. The football team has demonstrated our school’s maxim, Esse Quam Videri, “to be rather than to seem to be.” The humility behind the act is what makes this simple gesture so impressive. It is too bad that it is unrealistic to nominate the entire football team for a shield pin, because they deserve it.
After a well-fought victory, a team should not have to clean up after their fellow classmates, even if they are willing. In fact, no one should. Whether in the lounge, cafeteria, or on a field, students should make more of an effort to clean up after themselves. As young adults there is no reason why we cannot simply pick up trash and walk to a nearby trashcan. In the future, when attending classes or games, we should be aware of our actions and be careful to leave a better mark on the community. We should be mindful of those who have to face the wake we leave when we do not throw things away or leave things behind. It isn’t too much to ask. I am happy to see the football team’s simple act of kindness finding its way into the public eye because it deserves to be heard. To the football team, who within twenty-four hours both claimed a victory and lived EA’s stripes, I thank you.