Click here to view photos from preseason.
After months of hard work training and preparing over the summer, upper school fall athletes hit the fields, courts, water, and courses for the two-week preseason starting on August 21. Setting the tone for the new year, the athletes embarked on their competitive journeys with the intent of excelling this fall. After a tremendous 2022 season, teams are looking to reach new heights in 2023, with Field Hockey in position to make a run for the postseason, Girls and Boys Soccer looking to go even deeper in the playoffs, and Girls Volleyball defending its FAA and New England titles after last year’s incredible 22-0 finish! Cross Country looks to new runners to make an impact, and excitement is high for Football and Fall Crew, with new head coaches Tom Broschardt and Alex Martin leading the way.
Monday, August 21: Upper School Coaches Opening Meeting and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Workshop
The first meeting of the new athletics year welcomed all upper school coaches for the annual all-coaches meeting. Culture building, wide-ranging coaching responsibilities, student-athlete commitment expectations, and more were all on the agenda. Coaches were also introduced to impactful leaders from all divisions. Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Dr. Clyde Beverly and Athletics Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Coordinator Nate Jean-Baptiste addressed the importance of utilizing athletics to unite the King student body further.
Zack Etter, founder and CEO of Holistic Athlete, worked with the King coaches to provide mental performance, skills, and health training for their athletes and teams. King Athletics has partnered with Etter for the 2023-24 school year to support our student-athletes and bolster their performances and general well-being.
Tuesday, August 22: Start of Preseason / Upper School Fall Captain’s Workshop
Following the conclusion of the first full day of preseason workouts, varsity captains participated in the annual Leadership and Character Development Workshop. Emma Jonsson, Director of Student-Athlete Health Services, and Jean-Baptiste ran the program for our upper school captains. Zack Etter expanded on his work with the coaches, discussing mental performance and skills strategies and techniques with the captains. He also challenged them to look more deeply at the types of motivators and communicators they are and to seek ways to grow and develop into the strongest leaders possible for themselves and their teammates.
Thursday, August 24: Fall Athlete Orientation
Vikings Athletics held their annual Fall Athlete Orientation in the Performing Arts Center (PAC) on Thursday morning. Members of the Athletics Department and several captains took to the stage to discuss the upcoming season and shared past experiences helping new student-athletes feel more comfortable in their new environment. Orientation provided a perfect opportunity to welcome new students and coaches taking part in our fall athletic programs while also recognizing senior athletes for all they have contributed to King Athletics and the King community.
Following the conclusion of orientation, all fall athletic programs took to their respective practice sites to train for another great day of preseason.
Friday, August 25: Fall Athlete Appreciation Day
Athletes celebrated the return to fall sports and all of the hard work, dedication, and sacrifice that goes into preseason at the end of the first week with the annual Fall Athlete Appreciation Day. After a morning of practices, Viking athletes enjoyed Gatorade product giveaways and delicious and healthy acai and fruit bowls from Playa Bowls. Participants learned about the importance of hydration and enjoyed spending time with their teammates, coaches, and fellow athletes.
Saturday, August 26: Women of Will Female Athlete Leadership and Empowerment Program
Each fall, King celebrates and recognizes its female athletes during the Women of Will Leadership Day. All Upper School female athletes are encouraged and invited to participate. Jonsson opened the program at Beta Climbing and Fitness by introducing keynote speaker Dr. Megan Gleason, who shared her journey to Orthopedic Neurosurgery (ONS). More than 75 King female athletes attended and took part in engaging and interactive self-defense, foam rolling, and rock climbing sessions. King coaches attended to support the female athletes and learn from Gleason. Playa Bowls was once again on hand to serve freshly made smoothies to all of the athletes and coaches
Thursday, August 31: Fall Athlete Family Cookout and Meet the Coach Night
Parents and siblings of our fall athletes were welcomed to the Family Cookout and Meet the Coach Night on Thursday, August 31. More than 300 members of the King community came out to celebrate the preseason and the fall athletic teams. Coaches met with their athlete’s families, and everyone enjoyed a great night of community bonding. Micah Hauben, Dean of Athletics, welcomed all new and returning members of the athletic community back for the official start of the 2023-24 athletic campaign. Special thanks to King’s dining service provider, Flik, for catering the event.
College Athlete Commitments
Before preseason, a trio of Vikings proudly made verbal commitments to play in college. Senior lacrosse standouts Charlie Hill ’24 and Edward Schreiber ’24 made their respective commitments to NESCAC rivals Wesleyan University and Trinity College, while the 2022 New England Class B Player of the Year, Caroline Ellis ’25, made her verbal commitment to play volleyball at the University of Mississippi. Congratulations to these outstanding members of the King community!
Looking to the Fall
Fall 2023 looks to be an exciting season for the Vikings, with all teams poised for success on and off the fields, courts, courses, and water. Follow the action on our new and improved Game Schedules and Scores page and keep up with team and athlete accomplishments on the King Athletics Instagram and Twitter/X feeds.
Go Vikings!