Portsmouth Abbey School
Athletics Report 2007-2008
Alfred W. Brown, Director of Athletics

League Play
The 2007-2008 school year and Portsmouth Abbey School's transition to the Eastern Independent League (EIL) proved to be very successful.

Presently, 17 of the 24 varsity sports offered at the Abbey are members of the EIL.  Football (Evergreen League), Boys Ice Hockey (Holte League) and Boys' and Girls' Track (EIL/SENE League) compete in sport-specific leagues outside the EIL. In addition, Coed Swimming, Boys' Squash, Girls' Golf and Sailing have end-of-season NEPSAC (New England) tournaments by school size as a culminating competition.

Every varsity team at the Abbey now has an opportunity to compete for a league or New England Championship.

EIL Member Sports

Reaching a Competitive Level in All Sports
In 2007-08, 16 of our 24 varsity teams recorded winning records and 4 teams won league championships.  Girls' Basketball qualified for the NEPSAC Class B New England Tournament and Girls' Cross-Country and Girls' Track finished 2^nd in the Division III New England Championships and won the Newport County Championship.

Student/Athlete and Coach Recognitions
Many student-athletes distinguished themselves and the school by being selected to All-League, All-State, All-New England and All-American teams.

84 All-League
84 Portsmouth Abbey student-athletes were selected All-League in 20 sports.

3 League MVPs 
Julian Allison - Offensive Line/Football (Evergreen League)
Olivia Fay - Girls' XC (EIL) - Placed first in EIL Championship
Harry Holden - Boys' Lacrosse (EIL)

9 Rhode Island All-State
Olivia Fay - Girls' XC
Julian Allison - Football
Nick White - Football and Boys' Track
Frank Holbrook - Baseball
Zach Allen - Boys' Lacrosse
Stephanie Perez - Field Hockey and Girls' Lacrosse
Rogan Van Gruisen - Boys' Lacrosse

7 NEPSAC/All-New England
Julian Allison - Football
Nick White - Football and Boys' Track (Javelin)
Jasmin Amaral, Maggie McCarthy, Sarah Taddei, Salome Wilfred - Girls' Track (400 Relay)

2 US Academic All-Americans
Madison Nunes - Girls' Lacrosse
Stephanie Perez - Girls' Lacrosse

1 US All American
Rogan Van Gruisen - Boys' Lacrosse

3 Coaches of the Year
Dan McDonough, Co-Coach of Year EIL (Girls' XC)
Elizabeth Benestad, Co-Coach of Year EIL (Girls' Basketball)
Al Brown, Coach of Year (Boys' Lacrosse)

Winning Varsity Team Records, 2007-08

*League championships

Varsity teams won 56% of their games overall and 64% in the EIL.

The Multi-Sport Athlete
Portsmouth Abbey continues to encourage student-athletes to participate in several sports each year. VI Formers who have made a significant contribution to the school by participating in each of the three seasons are recognized at the Spring Athletic Assembly.  The VI Form Award (Varsity Blanket) was awarded to 22 VI Formers in 2007-08. This is the highest number of three-sport athletes since the Award was introduced in 2003.

Philosophy and Practices in Athletics at Portsmouth Abbey:  Helping to Promote a Sense of Community
Athletic participation provides a balance to the academic life on campus and helps promote a sense of community. Several unique practices enable all students the opportunity to be an integral part of our athletic program.

1.  With 24 varsity sports and 40 athletic teams, students of varying athletic skill and experience have the opportunity to find a sport (or sports) and to develop their physical skills and knowledge of the game.  We have a "no-cut" policy on the JV level, and each JV player is to have playing time in each game.  This provides the JV player an opportunity to participate, develop and compete against equitable competition. 90% of our VI Form students earned a varsity letter in the 2007-2008 school year.

2.  Students are encouraged to be multi-sport athletes and to avoid specialization.  Coaches do not conduct practices out of their scheduled season and students are given some "down time" in between each of the three seasons to prepare for exams and recharge for the next season. This year 22 VI Formers were three-sport varsity athletes.

3.  A VI Form student-athlete who has demonstrated passion, a positive attitude and commitment (three years of participation) in a sport will be member of the varsity team in that sport regardless of their ability.

4.  Each of our 40 athletic teams has a Portsmouth Abbey faculty or administrator as a coach.  Our coaches know their athletes, the school's mission, and its athletic philosophy.

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