An Inside Look into Riverdale’s New Athletic Committee
From dodgeball tournaments to spotlight games, the work of Riverdale’s Athletic Committee has impacted the life of every Upper School student in some way. In the wake of the committee’s inception last year, this academic year begins with lofty goals to fulfill their mission to better integrate athletics into campus life and enhance the student-athlete experience.
At the core of their work is an unwavering dedication to cultivating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all Riverdale students, both athletes and fans. Director of Riverdale Athletics Mr. John Pizzi shared that the primary goal of the committee is “to help make athletics a wonderful experience for everybody.” Senior and committee member Luca DiFelice echoed Mr. Pizzi’s sentiment, emphasizing the importance of “creating a channel for students to share their ideas without having to approach the administration or coaches directly.” “The collaborative and flexible approach to their meetings” allows the committee to proactively seek input from both students and faculty. Also, the fact that the committee members have their distinct roles and different relationships with sports means that they are able to capture and appeal to the diversity of the Riverdale student-athlete experience.
While the Athletic Committee experimented with new ideas last year, this year they have a much more focused mission of increasing school spirit and broadening their scope to engage the entire Riverdale community. The introduction of “spotlight games” is designed to accomplish just this, showcasing each team’s talents and fostering greater student section attendance. Spotlight games help distribute school spirit and support to all teams equally.
Looking ahead, DiFelice shared the committee’s aspirations to invite guest speakers to address and motivate student-athletes by sharing their own athletic journeys and insights. Additionally, Mr. Pizzi shared plans for surprises and adjustments to the homecoming pep rally, where they are “trying to get some lower school families to attend and...make the event bigger than just the Hill campus.” DiFelice added that the committee hopes to hold more bake sales and community service events, including collaborating with the Challenged Athletes Foundation, to remind student-athletes of their responsibilities to the sports community both on and off the field.
The Athletic Committee’s efforts have had a tangible impact on student-athletes, generally improving their experiences. Varsity Ultimate Frisbee captain and senior Theo Aborn expressed that “the frisbee team gets overlooked sometimes as a varsity sport.” He shared his excitement for spotlight games as they would “shine a light on underappreciated teams while building school community.”
Ultimately, Riverdale’s new Athletic Committee, led by determined student-athlete representatives and backed by the Director of Athletics, underwent a massive rehaul this year, instating itself as an institution vital to all Riverdale students, bridging the gap between athletes and administrators. However, they recognize that they will inevitably have their blindspots and are, therefore, more than open to suggestions and critiques, their meeting doors open to everyone in the community it serves.
