I have been the Athletic Director at the school for the past twenty years and am very proud of what the program has done for our students. In the Fall we offer Varsity Soccer and Cross Country running. During the winter we have Varsity Basketball and two Junior Varsity teams. In the Spring we field Varsity Tennis, Golf, and Ultimate Frisbee along with a running club. All students are encouraged to participate and are placed on a team.
Valley View competes against other boarding schools and several local public schools. We try as best as we can to have competitions that are equally matched so that our students and the opposing teams' students get the most out of the event. At Valley View it is not just about winning it is about competing at your best and learning from the experience. Through athletics students learn to take healthy risk, to work with others for a common purpose, to develop confidence in themselves and others, and to learn how to handle disappointment in a positive manner.
The athletic program generates a sense of community. It is very pleasing to see the Gymnasium filled with students who are not playing in the Basketball game of the day cheering and applauding their classmates. The same thing happens during Soccer games, at our home Tennis matches, Ultimate Frisbee and Cross Country.
One thing that has been extremely satisfying for me has been the student that, for various reasons, has never given athletics a chance. They feel that they aren't good enough or that sports are "uncool". Time and time again we have seen these students not only excel in the program but really enjoy competing and the physical exercise that goes with it.
The Valley View Athletic program has been a success for a number of reasons. Starting with a supportive Administration, dedicated and competent coaches, a staff that as a whole encourages students to get involved and participate, and most importantly a student body that believes in what we are doing and that learns to believe in themselves.
Neil T. Faugno