Dear Haverford School Parents,
My role as Director of Athletics at The Haverford School keeps me involved with many different aspects of the School. In my time as AD, I have enjoyed building relationships with our coaches, staff, parents, alumni, and colleagues in the different divisions. However, nothing excites me more than my interactions with student-athletes and the excitement of gameday competitions.
As you know by now, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Haverford has moved to a virtual learning model, and all remaining practices and competitions have been suspended due to the orders of Governor Wolf. Difficult as that is for all of us who love Fords athletics, we know that it is in the best interest of our community and we are doing all that we can to make it a positive situation for our student-athletes.
While Governor Wolf has mandated social distancing that has suspended all school activities, the Inter-Academic League is developing plans for an abbreviated spring season in the event that these mandates are lifted. The following is a statement from the IAAL about the current situation:
The Inter-Ac Athletic Directors are closely monitoring recommendations by our government officials and school administrations regarding safe practices in response to the Coronavirus Pandemic. We remain hopeful for a spring season, and we are developing plans for a possible abbreviated season with league opponents should the government allow us to do so and should schools deem it safe to return to practices and competitions. We will share updates as they occur.
There is still plenty of work to be done in the Department of Athletics, but the driving force of our daily lives is missing. Our focus is to help our student-athletes reach their fullest potential, on and off the field. While the on the field piece is missing right now, we remain committed to ensuring that the boys stay connected to their coaches and the team, and focused on returning to the season at some point.
I hope to spend a few hours again at a field, track, court, or on the river watching our student-athletes, who have worked so hard to prepare for that moment, to compete. I want to applaud our teams for their outstanding performances, but I especially want to acknowledge the work of those teams and individuals who lost opportunities this spring.
As some of you may know, this has hit home for me, as my son is a senior who was hit hard by the suspension of his final season of high school athletics. Perhaps as much as he misses the competition, he misses the interaction with his teammates -- those brothers that have put so much hard work and effort into preparing for this season. To all of the seniors for whom this is especially difficult, we understand your disappointment and we are here for you.
In the coming weeks we will be honoring and executing as many of our traditional athletic happenings and events as possible. Pay attention for news about our sports award ceremonies, senior collegiate commitment event, and upcoming fall season information meetings. Should we receive any updated news about the spring season, we will communicate that information quickly.
While it hurts that these teams and seniors will not have the opportunity to experience a complete season, I take solace in knowing that the impact the seniors have had will leave their respective programs in great shape and with tremendous potential for the future.
To our parents and supporters during this challenging and unprecedented situation, please know how much I appreciate your continued support of our programs as we seek to mold young men of character who are champions both on and off the field.
GO FORDS!
Michael Murphy
Director of Athletics
