The fall sports season has come to a close and the winter sports teams are in full swing, working hard and competing even harder for a top-seeded rank in the ISL. Mr. Jason McGhee, Stone Ridge’s new Director of Athletics, is finding himself in the midst of the many successes thus far accomplished by the Middle and Upper School athletic teams.
Before coming to Stone Ridge, Mr. McGhee served as the Associate Athletics Director at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Growing up in West Virginia, he was a passionate student-athlete himself. He turned his love for the game into a life-long career and is now using “sports as his platform” to help others grow. This goal-oriented ambition is what led him to the Stone Ridge community. When asked why he chose to work here, he reflected for a moment and said, “[It’s] the values and mission of the school and my belief that the Stone Ridge community really lives out its values through service.” Mr. McGhee is dedicated to living out these values in his new position as the Athletics Director.
Many players have noted Mr. McGhee’s active participation in each team’s agenda, often seeing him up at the fields for either practices or games. He is making his role more integral and his presence more recognizable. Colleen McMahon ‘17 spoke of his “hard work towards helping the player have an overall quality experience as a student-athlete, never failing to wish the players good luck before a game or congratulating them after, even after a loss. He really tries to relate to the players.” Indeed, under Mr. McGhee’s leadership, Cross Country had its highest finish in Stone Ridge’s history this fall, placing 5th out of sixteen teams. Varsity Soccer won the A Division title and is moving up to the AA Division next year. Tennis had another great season, and Varsity Volleyball finished 2nd place in the regular and post-season, falling only to Flint Hill. Field Hockey also finished with an amazing record, losing only to Episcopal and Visitation, giving them a 3rd place slot in their division. One can only think that these momentous victories are in part due to the leadership of the Athletic Department and its constant support of each and every team member.
Mr. McGhee wants to improve the overall branding of Stone Ridge sports through marketing, communications, and the utilization of the Stone Ridge website. This more tactical approach towards improvement is evident in the Notes from the Swamp that can be accessed on the Stone Ridge website under “Athletics.” The Notes from the Swamp include the Gator of the Game, in which an individual from each team is highlighted for her specific contributions to the game and her notably outstanding performance.
More than anything, Mr. McGhee wants to establish a personal relationship with both the coaches and athletes. He says he is “committed to making sure that each student-athlete is having the best experience possible.” Emphasizing the pride that each athlete should be able to have in her chosen sport, Mr. McGhee wants to ensure that even the smaller facets, such as quality uniforms and equipment, improve and reflect the amount of time and effort athletes put into their sport.
Nora Gosselin ‘15, a member of the Varsity Field Hockey team, notes the “overall change in tone” of the Athletic Department and recognizes its newfound emphasis on “the balance of wanting to win while working hard and having a good time with your team.” Colleen and Nora both cited Mr. McGhee’s overall thoughtful efforts towards getting to know the players on a personal level, reaching out to them in any way possible.
On developing the program as a whole, Nora was encouraged by the way in which Mr. McGhee has changed how Junior Varsity teams are run. Now, instead of being simply “fun teams,” they are truly “preparing the girls to eventually play at the higher level.” Colleen, as a member of the Junior Varsity Soccer team noted that, “Mr. McGhee genuinely cared about our success, not just Varsity’s.” Mr. McGhee’s enthusiastic attitude towards every player and every game has helped to foster an environment conducive to the “right kind” of success. As opposed to having the single-minded approach of winning, and achieving that success in any way possible, Mr. McGhee has emphasized that success is a result of hard work and dedication.
In the current winter season and the upcoming spring season of sports, Mr. McGhee will continue playing an active role in our community and we will hopefully be able to further see the profound effects of his efforts.
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