Athlete of the Week: David Ayscue

As crowds of Exeter supporters stream into Phelps Stadium and players storm the turf amidst cheers of fans, football co-captain David Ayscue comes alive. He soaks up the rush of the crowd and the enthusiasm of his teammates, giving every play his all and setting an example of unmatched dedication, skill and heart.Over his four-year span of playing football at the Academy (one year on JV and three on varsity), the safety has impressed teammates and coaches alike with his leadership and talent.Head varsity football coach Rob Morris, who took on the post this year, coached Ayscue during his prep year on JV. Morris has had the opportunity to see Ayscue evolve and mature, both as an athlete and a person.“He is [a] hardworking, dedicated, no-nonsense kind of person,” Morris said. “He is a talented athlete, sure—strong, explosive and agile, but what is more important is how he quietly goes about his business always hustling, always willing to help out—that speaks to the kind of person he is.”Football has played a crucial role in Ayscue’s life ever since he was young. He has always loved to play catch or watch the games, so when he arrived at Exeter as a prep on the JV football team, he fit right in.Fellow senior and co-captain Joey Hebl has played football with Ayscue since they were preps.“David is one of our most vocal captains,” Hebl said. “He gets the guys focused on the right things. But at the same time, he’s loose and cool out on the practice field, always willing to crack a joke or break out a new dance move while beat-boxing.”Ayscue’s brother, Will ‘17, noted the way David’s forms of leadership have developed since playing for Exeter’s team.“David has grown a lot as an athlete since coming to PEA,” Will said. “I remember watching him as a star athlete on his football team, and he has a real determination and a desire to succeed. He has some sort of quiet leadership; he’s not always yelling, but you can sense that he’s a good leader on the field and in the locker room. He’s just got this kind of charisma of a leader.”Ayscue has the ability to be both collected and determined on the field while always being kind and supportive to his peers. Lower Mykel Miller has gotten to know these parts of Ayscue this season, as they both work to make Big Red’s season as successful as possible.“Being on a team with him this year, I realize not only how great of an athlete he is, but how as a person he strives to make himself and the team better, which I admire and look for in a captain,” Miller said.“David is a calm and collected captain,” upper Jake Willett said. “He’s friends with everyone on the team. He’s a great listener and he gives great advice and tips that really help out his fellow teammates.”“David is an extraordinary athlete; he’s fast and has a great pair of hands,” Willett added. “He’s quick and hits hard as our safety. It’s always fun to watch him play because of his skill and love of the game. David has a special ability to listen and give encouragement and advice on many topics, be it sports, school or relationships.”Ayscue is excited to be a part of the team as a leader during this year’s period of transition, with Morris taking over for long-time coach Bill Glennon, who will move to head-coaching Ayscue’s other sport, lacrosse, in the spring.“It’s nice to know that you’re kind of in control of the work ethic of the team,” Ayscue said. “There’s a lot more player leadership going on. It’s the returning players’ and the captains’ job to stick with the traditions that we’ve had.”“We’re really talented at almost every position, and we also have depth at almost every position,” he continued. “I’d say that the first two people at each position are good enough to start. Our offensive and defensive lines are really strong: that’s kind of the stand-out part of the team.”And Ayscue’s athletic abilities don’t stop after the fall season. His time on a middle school football time led him to start playing lacrosse.“I had a few friends on my football team my eighth grade year who played lacrosse,” Ayscue said. “I started playing lacrosse in eighth grade. I was a defensive middie. I wasn’t very good, I just had a lot of fun. I came here, and I didn’t try out for varsity my freshman year; I just played JV. I had to work at it [to get better].”His hard work has paid off: Ayscue will be starting this spring as a captain of Exeter’s varsity lacrosse team. Eric Bergofsky, recently retired head varsity lacrosse coach, has known Ayscue since he came to the Academy.“David’s gotten bigger, stronger, faster and smarter,” Bergofsky said. “He’s gotten more mature and experienced. Everything you’d want in a young athlete has happened to David; he has a great ability to lead.”“David was the overwhelming choice for captain just because of what he did on the field every day,” he continued. “David’s put a lot of time and effort into his athletic career, and he’s worked hard in the off-season and during the season. He was clearly a very good player, but his attitude on the practice field is what impressed his teammates the most.”A multifaceted Exonian, Ayscue brings his dedication to every aspect of his life on campus.“He has contributed to Exeter so much in every single aspect, whether it be always having a smile on his face, pumping us up for football, singing at EP or always just being a great guy,” senior Paul Lee said. “He’s special because he’s a natural leader, even if he doesn’t try to be, and he’s very down to earth, mature beyond his age. I’d have a harder time thinking of a guy my age that I have more respect for.”