Physical Education and Athletics Adjust to Online Learning
By Sofia Morais and Clark Wu
For the athletes of Phillips Exeter Academy, spring term conjures fond memories of walks to the gym and Saltonstall Boathouse, bike rides to the lacrosse and baseball fields and dinners with teammates after hours of grueling practice. However, these activities and 14 varsity seasons have all come to an abrupt end due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Faculty and coaches running Athletics and Physical Education programs had to create new ways to help students stay in shape. While the Academy offers numerous credit-bearing Physical Education programs, all were cut in favor of four exercise modules: Yoga, Walking and Wellness, Small Space Fitness, Strength and Cardio Challenge and Solo and Small Group Games. Athletic teams will continue to practice from home.
“Interscholastic Athletics was seen as the fifth module that students could participate in to receive a physical education credit. Students were given the option to remain on the roster that they made or switch into one of the [Physical Education] modules,” Director of Athletics David Hudson said. Dance Concert Ensemble was included in this “fifth module.”
Physical Education Department Chair Hilary Hall added that normal credit will be granted for participation in all Athletic teams and any of the four modules. “The physical education offerings have been completely re-tooled for this spring with new objectives and an understanding that we are all in completely unique environments physically, socially and emotionally,” she said. Students participating in the modules were asked to register for two of the four options.
Director of Student Information and Registrar Sarah Herrick announced the new Physical Education credit system in an all-student email. “There is no scheduled class time. You may fit these workouts in when it makes sense for you and your scenario: any time of day, any day of the week,” the email read. “Each student will be required to check in with the teacher via Canvas every week to ensure they understand the instructions and are following the program. In this sense, ‘attendance’ is expected in order to pass the course and earn diploma credit. Instructors will be readily available to guide students through the module and to offer adjustments and modifications, as needed.” Students enrolled in the modules are expected to exercise in 40-minute sessions thrice a week and to participate in Canvas “check-ins.”
Though athletic teams may not compete this season, they will still complete team exercises. “Athletic team training falls under similar guidelines and contact points as PE classes. It allows more sport specific training,” Hudson said. “In a similar way that classes and other aspects of our community are [running,] most coaches and teams are communicating through email, Canvas and Zoom.”
Prep Clara Gulick shared her experience with Solo and Group Games thus far. “This week, we did a ‘quarantine combine,’ a game with dice and a game with cards. After doing the activities, we had to post on a discussion board and write a journal entry … It seems like a good replacement for [the Prep Program],” she said. “I think they’ve been handling it about as well as they could given the situation. They are still trying to have people be active and their offerings seem like a good way to do that, while understanding that we can’t all go outside or have much space to do anything.”
Athletes, including prep Lally Lavin, described their excitement for the spring season prior to the coronavirus outbreak. “I was excited about the team atmosphere because I’ve played for my old school’s varsity team … and I loved the bond with my doubles partner and cheering on my teammates,” she said. For these athletes, disappointment came as a natural result of the cancelled season.
Upper and Boys’ Varsity Volleyball co-captain James Keeling noted his dismay about the cancellation of the season. “The team is a group of some of my closest friends, so [I will] miss spending the term with them,” he said.
Unfortunately, senior athletes will be unable to represent Big Red athletics again. “I am sad I never got to say goodbye,” senior and Girls’ Varsity Lacrosse co-captain Abby Smith said. “I have played for Exeter for four years and will greatly miss my teammates and coaches. I have made my best friends on my sports teams, and I am forever grateful for that.”
Nevertheless, student athletes understand the difficulties of the current situation and appreciate efforts to continue training. Lower and Boys’ Junior Varsity Crew rower Russell Tam felt well-supported by his team. “Our coaches have sent core exercises, indoor body weight workouts and rowing pieces that we can do with more to come. They even made themselves available on Zoom, where we can see them on the machine and ask for advice,” he said.
Tam added that the Boys’ Crew’s training logs help the team stick together during this time of difficulty. “It is motivating to see how everyone is training in the midst of corona. It feels like we are in it together and not alone,” he said.
The girls’ varsity softball team has been following a similar routine, as co-captain and senior Amanda Harris explained. “The team has a Canvas that the coaches have been using to post workouts. They also email us,” she said. “The coaches organized our first full team Zoom meeting this morning. It was just 20 minutes where we each said how we’re doing.”
While the modules are unorthodox ways to train and exercise, Hall noted that staying active is essential during this time. “We believe it is in everyone’s best physical and mental health to be enticed and encouraged to step away from a screen and the daily news with the objective of moving their bodies and clearing their mind.”