HIGHLIGHTS & HAPPENINGS
Community
Villa Sports Program Builds Community in Many Ways
St. Ursula Villa’s athletic programs and facilities have grown and developed over the years,
benefitting Villa students as well as the larger community. Since their formation, the
Villa’s sports programs function within “instructional league” guidelines where students
grow by participating in various sports, developing interests and skills, and sharing
valuable experiences with classmates. This approach aligns with our school mission
and Ursuline characteristic of “emphasis on the development of the whole person.” Villa
students are encouraged to try a sport at different ages - to “dabble” at varied points in
their development to determine preferences and build skills in a supportive setting.
Over the last ten years, St. Ursula Villa added athletic programs for younger students as
well as different sports options for other ages. Formed in 2010, Villa “Eaglets” soccer gives
preschoolers an early introduction to soccer and exposure to the dynamics of teamwork
and cooperation. Basketball is now offered as an internal program geared toward skill
development of Villa 1st and 2nd-graders. Villa Tennis and Golf are recent sports options
for 6th, 7th, and 8th-graders.
St. Ursula Villa
values and
emphasizes the
importance of
strong athletic
programs that
encourage and
develop student
growth and skills.
The Villa’s traditional slate
of organized sports includes
soccer, baseball, and softball
for Kindergarten–Junior High,
and basketball and volleyball
for 3rd–8th-graders. Students
participate in basketball and
volleyball try-outs in 6th, 7th,
and 8th-grade to form teams
placed at either competitive or
recreational levels.
St. Ursula Villa’s teams
balance success with an overall
emphasis on teamwork, skill
development, and positive
experiences. Ms. Kristy Thomas, Villa 3- and 4-year-olds play Eaglets soccer.
St. Ursula Villa’s Athletic
Director, says “I love to see a player stick with the game and work hard to finally make a basket or get a serve over the net
– and is celebrated by the team! It really shows how our coaches support students and their growth.”
Villa coaches are a critical part of the athletic program’s success. Coaching provides valuable volunteer opportunities
for current and past Villa parents, Villa alumni, and Villa faculty to join the larger St. Ursula Villa community. Trey
Savage (Class of ’78) has a unique perspective of Villa sports over the years. “When I was a student at the Villa, most
people in the U.S. were unfamiliar with the game of soccer and my team was one of the first Villa soccer teams ever.”
Years later as a coach, he says, “When coaching my daughter Ava’s teams, our goal was always to develop players into
respectful individuals who win fairly, have fun, and positively represent our school. We taught life lessons and helped them
understand the value of competing to the best of your abilities and winning the right way – which is what parents who
choose St. Ursula Villa for their children expect of the Villa sports experience.” He describes the strong Villa community
and support during the 7th and 8th-grade girls’ semifinal soccer championship in Fairfield where every Villa Junior High
teacher cheered from the sidelines on a 28-degree morning, “That’s the Villa community right there.”
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