K-12 Director of Athletics Paul Moyer believes that the school can be a place with both rigorous academics and a competitive sports program.
The University of Chicago, where Moyer used to serve as Athletic Director and Head soccer coach, is an
example. Many do not know that the University of Chicago was originally part of the NCAA Division I Big Ten Conference, as well as the first-ever Heisman Trophy recipient, the most prestigious award in college football.
But, in 1946, the University of Chicago dropped out of the conference after the Big Ten began granting scholarships for athletic ability, emphasizing sports competition over academics. Nearly 75 years later, the University of Chicago is one of NCAA Division III top athletic institutions in non-scholarship college athletics.
“I was … at the University of Chicago … at a transitional period, when the institution decided we are going to emphasize, in the right way, athletics and student-athlete excellence. I think that is exactly where SPA is right now,” Moyer said.
Last spring, when the athletic department initiated the Strategic Action Plan, it became clear that support from captains was a critical piece in the process. “We’re the student leaders and kind of the role models on the team,” Cross Country co-Captain Maren Overgaard said.
In response, Moyer developed a Captains Council for captains to give feedback on the Strategic Plan and illuminate the student-athlete perspective. “When there were questions … the Advisory Council … wanted from the students … you know, we needed information from the students, then I would go back to the captains and ask them,” Moyer said.
The Captains Council meets on Wednesday mornings once a month to discuss issues from team goals for the season, to Spartan values and to potential revisions in the athletic program’s mission statement.
At the last meeting Dec. 11, Director of Operations and Security John Cole joined the meeting to talk about how athletes use common areas before and after practice and how to revive athletic spaces like the locker rooms. “We’ve been talking about ways to bring … the locker rooms … back and how can we make that space somewhere where you feel comfortable … and … what captains can do in setting the tone for the team,” Overgaard said.
The development of athletic facilities, such as the locker rooms, is a common conversation on many of the sports teams. “I think the locker rooms bring people together … but … they’re pretty brutal … locker rooms are outdated here,” Boys Golf captain Will Fenlon said.
Additionally, only providing athletic spaces to teams that are in season makes it harder for captains to organize pre-season practices and conditioning. “I just practice on my own … Like, hit balls and stuff outside of SPA,” Fenlon said.
While the Strategic Action Plan includes collaboration and dedication across the community and will take years to see physical results, SPA is one step closer to embracing both rigorous academic and athletic excellence. “On the Captains Council … we’re still learning how to make it the most effective that it can be, but I think this is the first step towards trying to align everybody’s interests. It’s fun to be a part of and to see change being made,” Overgaard said.
As the Captains Council progresses, Moyer is working on organizing additional meetings with the invitation extended to the entire student body. With input from the Captains Council and other interested students, Moyer hopes to enhance and progress the Athletic Strategic Plan.
