On Saturday, May 6, we will honor an outstanding group of our alumni. The ceremony will take place at 4 p.m. in the Crawford Campus Center's Main Stage Theater. This is the first time the Awards and Hall of Fame will take place during Alumni Weekend, so please stop by to support your classmates:
The Distinguished Alumnus/a Award
Presented to "an alumnus or alumna, graduate or non-graduate, or honorary alumnus or alumna of The Episcopal Academy who has made a significant contribution in a particular area or in a broad range of achievement. This distinction could reflect outstanding career success, dedicated public service or any combination of leadership effectiveness."
John C. van Roden, Jr. '67
After graduating in 1967, John took the drive for personal excellence and achievement that he developed in the classroom, in chapel, and on the athletic fields at Episcopal and honed it into a very successful career in business. He earned his B.A. at Denison University followed by a Master's in Business Administration from Drexel University. After beginning his career in the banking industry John completed the Advanced Executive Management Program at the Wharton Business School of the University of Pennsylvania.
After working at First Pennsylvania Bank and Provident National Bank, John left the banking industry to work at Lukens, Inc. where he served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer until 1998 when the company was acquired by Bethlehem Steel. Subsequently, until 2003, John held the same position at Conectiv Energy in Delaware. While at Conectiv, our honoree also served on the Board of Directors at Delmarva Power and Light Co. and Atlantic Electric.
Following a successful five-year stint at Conectiv John became Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at the P.H. Glatfelter Company, a global manufacturer of specialty papers and engineered products, transitioning to the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from 2005 until 2007. Thereafter, he continued as a consultant to the company for several more years.
In October 2006, John became a director at Airgas, Inc., where his years of experience in strategic and financial management eventually led to his appointment as Chairman of the Board 2010-11 and thereafter Presiding Director. He continued at Airgas as a distributor of industrial, medical, and specialty gases and safety products, until its acquisition by the French company, Air Liquide in 2015.
In addition to Airgas, John served on the boards of HB Fuller, Penn Virginia Resource Partners LP, Semco Energy, and Horsehead Holding Corp. He currently serves as a Trustee at Main Line Health and on the Advisory Board at Guardian Capital Partners.
While pursuing his impressive career in business, John somehow found time to develop an equally impressive golf game, as evidenced by his many golf club memberships.
His affection for the Academy began early on as a member of the Class of 1967 where he was a good friend to the entire class and valued as a loyal teammate to many. His loyalty to EA continued over the decades and inspired John to contribute his talents as President of the Alumni Board of Managers from 1993-95, and as Alumni Trustee from 1996-98.
EA has been a family tradition ever since his father, John C van Roden '39, and uncle, Don van Roden '42. Don is a past Chair of the Board of Trustees and in 1987 was the first person to be selected for the prestigious Distinguished Service Award. Johns children graduated from EA as well, John '99 and Peter '01.
Alumni Award for Achievement in the Arts
Presented "to an alumnus or alumna, graduate or non-graduate or honorary alumnus or alumna of The Episcopal Academy who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in the Arts, including, but not limited to the fields of music, dance, writing, production, architecture or other visual or oral arts."
Benjamin T. Pearcy '89
Benjamin Pearcy is a Lighting and Projections Designer, working in Theatre, Opera, Dance, Art, and Architecture.
Ben is a Creative Director with 59 Productions. Ben joined 59 in 2011 with the Broadway production of War Horse, and was part of the team that designed the video for the Opening Ceremonies of the 2012 Olympics in London. With 59, Ben's Opera projects include The Enchanted Island, Two Boys, Satyagraha, and Les Pecheurs for the Metropolitan Opera, Eugene Onegin for the Royal Opera, and world premieres of Dark Sisters for Opera Philadelphia, The Shining for Minnesota Opera, and the upcoming rEvolution of Steve Jobs for the Santa Fe Opera. Dance projects include After the Rain and Within the Golden Hour for the Royal Ballet, and Christopher Wheeldon's Nutcracker for the Joffrey Ballet. On Broadway, shows include the musicals Big Fish, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and An American in Paris, and the new play Oslo. In 2015, 59 Productions won the Tony Award for Best Scenic Design of a Musical with Set Designer Bob Crowley for An American in Paris, the first Projection Designers ever to win the award.
Also a Lighting Designer, Ben has lit Theatre, Opera, and Architectural projects around the world, including Whoopi! on Broadway, Francesca Zambello's production of Carmen for the Beijing Opera, lighting and projections for the US national and international tours of Riverdance, US national tours of Beauty and the Beast and My Fair Lady, and many other productions for companies including the Alley Theatre, the Baltimore Opera, the Canadian Opera Company, the Houston Grand Opera, the Pittsburgh Opera, Opera Cleveland, Opera Omaha, and the Williamstown Theatre Festival. For ten years, he was a frequent collaborator with the renowned artist James Turrell, including designing the lighting for the James Turrell Museum in Colomé, Argentina.
Ben discovered his passion for theater while a student at Episcopal saying, "I did indeed get my start in theater at EA. It is most certainly what led me down the path I am now on." He proudly wore his Domino Club lapel pin at the Tony Awards ceremony. Upon graduating from EA in 1989, Pearcy earned a BFA in Theatrical Lighting Design from a conservatory-style program at Boston University. Pearcy says he is especially "grateful for the education I received at EA. It really was the liberal arts education I didn't get in college." His father, Lee Pearcy, was the long-time chair of Episcopal's Classics Department. Ben observes, "As my father says, the science (Physics) and math (Geometry) I learned at EA is put into use on a daily basis!" Asked one time what was the best advice he received, he replied, "Ben, you should join the Domino Club" (from Robert Cronin, Hon. in 1986). He began his professional career working for Lighting Designer Ken Billington on productions including the musical "Chicago", which is still running on Broadway.
Ben works from 59's US studio in New York City and lives in Brooklyn with his wife and two daughters, one of whom is attending the prestigious LaGuardia Arts High School where she is studying Technical Theatre. "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree."
The Distinguished Service Award
Presented since 1986 "for outstanding service to The Episcopal Academy as demonstrated by loyal participation in its support activities and exceptional contributions of time, effort or personal resources for the advancement of the Academy's principles and objectives."
M. Curtis Young '54
Curt is an EA man through and through. He was a "lifer" K-12 at the school and to this day continues to show his love and appreciation for his alma mater.
This is most recently demonstrated by becoming a member of the Bishop William White Society by his planned gift to establish the M. Curtis Young Faculty Fund by a gift via his will. This fund will provide the resources required to attract, recruit, and train exceptional forward-thinking faculty to the school.
As Curt explained, when I attended EA, "we had teachers who were former lawyers and former businessmen who came to teach because they felt that was their charge in life. And they really took an interest in the kids, and that's why I like the private school model." He further stated: "They will make the children interested in what they're learning. That's what good teachers do. They make school interesting."
This magnanimous act was presaged by many years of Curt's continuing loyal and generous support of EA. Since graduation, he has always been a leader in his class. He was a Chair of his 50th Reunion Committee; is a consistent donor at the advocate level since the early 1990's; encourages classmates to contribute to The Episcopal Fund; and has been a frequent spectator over the years at many EA football, basketball, and baseball games.
Curt's father, James H. Young, was the first family student at EA. His son, James '79, was the third generation, and with grandchildren currently attending, grandson, James '27 and granddaughter, Campbell '29 his legacy will continue.
In the fall of 1953, Curt was the QB of the football team that won the Inter-Ac title for which he earned Honorable Mention on the All Inter-Ac Team. He was awarded three letters in baseball and is an ardent St Louis Cardinals fan.
After graduation from EA, he attended Trinity College in Hartford CT, from which he received a BA in Economics in 1958. Curt took graduate programs at The Wharton School and at Ohio State.
After Trinity, he started work at Peat, Marwick & Mitchell, CPA firm, until 1964 when he became employed as corporate controller by a client, The Drug House, Inc., a wholesaler of pharmaceutical and propriety drugs. Five years later he was appointed Vice-President and CFO. In 1976 the company was sold to Alco Standard Corp. After serving as Controller of Alco's largest division, Curt was promoted to Corporate Headquarters as Director of Corporate Assets and Assistant Treasurer.
On his retirement in 2001, he and his late wife, Jane, thoroughly enjoyed playing golf, not only at Merion Golf Club, but also at Pro-Am celebrity events throughout the US. Their favorite event was the Frank Sinatra Pro-Am at Palm Springs where one year Jane was second and Curt had to carry home on an airplane her large trophy.
In addition to James '79, Curt had two other children. Curt, Jr., who died in a car accident in 1992 and Laura, who is the mother of four children.
Alumni Community Service Award
Given in recognition of the difference in a community one individual can make in the lives of others by volunteering his or her time and talents for the benefit of others aside from one's immediate family, business or profession. The award is given for exceptional volunteer service.
David R. Scott '56
From 1984 until his retirement in 2004, David was General Counsel of Rutgers University. In that year he received a Lifetime Service Award from the National Association of College and University Attorneys.
Instead of "retiring," David has dedicated his talents and seemingly endless energy as a volunteer to many organizations in the Princeton Community where he and his wife, Ruth, Radcliffe '61, have lived for 32 years. In 1991, David was a founding member of the Board of the Princeton Area Community Foundation (PACF) and has served for more than two decades, including as Vice-Chair 2008-2011 and Chair 2012-2015. PACF promotes philanthropy and supports local non-profits with grants, advocacy, and professional guidance. At present, it has nearly $133 million in community assets. In 2015, PACF gave 1603 grants to numerous local organizations and managed more than 342 different designated funds. Since 1991, PACF has made $75 million in grants to the non-profit sector. Its current focus is helping children and adolescents living in poverty.
David served on the Board of the Planned Parenthood Association of Mercer County, NJ in various capacities for nine years including as Chair from 2007 through 2009. He has been a member of the Board of Trustees at Princeton Day School since 2006, where he has chaired the legal and audit committees. In 2015, he joined the Board of the Princeton Public Library Foundation.
An accomplished and still active tennis player, he was Secretary of the Board of the International Tennis Club of the US, which took him to different parts of the globe for international senior team tournaments.
Starting at EA in 1950, David quickly became a recognized leader in the class. He was Editor of the Scholium, Chair of the Student Fund, Vice-President of the Athletic Association, Captain of the basketball team, earned letters in three sports, and was Salutatorian at his graduation.
David attended Harvard College '56 – '60 where he was a member of the Varsity Tennis team and graduated magna cum laude in Russian History. He was awarded a Keasby Scholarship to Cambridge University receiving an M.A. in 1962. He returned to Cambridge, MA at Harvard Law School '62 – '65.
After serving as an Associate at Pepper, Hamilton, and Sheetz, David was an assistant district attorney for the city of Philadelphia. From 1976-80, he was senior trial attorney of the Criminal Division of the US Department of Justice; then from 1980-84 was chief counsel and acting director 1982-83 of the US Office of Government Ethics.
David and Ruth had two children; Cintra, Harvard '93 and Roddy, University of Vermont '98. Roddy died suddenly of Type 1 Diabetes in March 2005, but that sad event seemed to have inspired David to look outward instead of inward thereby motivating him to continue to serve his community. Cintra and her husband, Ian Mount, both business writers, have two boys, Henry (age ten) and Luca (age four). They currently live in Madrid, Spain.
The Young Alumni Award
Presented since 2005 to "an alumnus or alumna who has demonstrated exemplary qualities in mind, body or spirit within 15 years of graduation from Episcopal. These extraordinary accomplishments may be achieved in academics, athletics, the arts, community service/spiritual life or any combination of the above."
Brian C. Long '02
Margaux C. Viola '03
Brian Long has always loved two things: technology and business. Some may even have called him a "nerd" in middle school or high school. In middle school at Episcopal, he started a small design and web development business. In high school, he took computer science courses and made custom mixes and CDs for clients. "I sold to everyone I could, parents, friends, students."
While a student at EA, he worked as an intern at a tech startup called Rajant along with Episcopal classmate, Mark Sabat. They put together big client demos, demolished a ground floor renovation, and bought a satellite communication demo system. After a couple summers, Brian was hooked and knew the tech startup life was the way to go.
After Episcopal, Brian was lucky to attend the University of Pennsylvania, where he started a website similar to Twitter or Facebook called Penn Storyboard – along with a bunch of his Episcopal friends. Unfortunately, Penn Storyboard didn't survive, but Brian did manage to graduate from Penn and secure a job at a big tech company in New York City – and went to learn the ropes of Internet commerce.
Brian worked at CNET.com, which provides reviews of technical products and services. He started as an entry-level member of the sales team and worked up to manage the largest customer at CNET. It was great, but he missed the startup life. In 2009, he jumped back into the startup world and joined Pontiflex, a Brooklyn-based startup that did mobile advertising. Like most startups, it was a roller coaster of ups and downs but a chance to learn a ton about building a business. He also got the opportunity to work as a partner to Kevin Dugan, another classmate who worked at another tech startup.
Brian started in a part-time role at Pontiflex to go to business school at NYU Stern School of Business. Then after a year went back to Pontiflex full time. After a few years at Pontiflex, he felt ready to start his own company with some friends and left to found TapCommerce.
Quickly, he found out how much he didn't know. Thankfully, a lot of people were willing to help and give advice. TapCommerce focused on mobile app analytics and advertising, which turned into a pretty big trend. After two years and $12M in funding from venture capitalists, TapCommerce was acquired by Twitter in the summer of 2014.
In December 2014 he addressed the Upper School students as part of the EA Speaker Series, where he was introduced by classmate Mark Sabat. His talk focused on lessons learned from his experiences as a tech entrepreneur. Brian also frequently participates in the Episcopal Alumni Soccer game, though he can't keep up with his '02 classmates like Jeff Addis, Jamie O'Neill, Ted Oberwager, Adam Murray and Paul Creedon.
Brian is married to Liz Day, whom he met at Penn and is a Senior Research Producer for Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, for which the team won an Emmy in 2016. He lives in New York City, but misses Wawa pretzels, butterscotch krimpets, and all his great friends who still live in Philly. Thankfully he still comes back frequently to visit his friends, family, and younger sister, Katrina '07, who is an attorney in Philadelphia. He's always happy to help Episcopal grads with an interest in tech entrepreneurship – just send a note!
Margaux Viola is being honored with this award for her achievements as an entrepreneur and a "start-up addict" in the field of technology. The first four years after graduating from Cornell '07 she was employed with BlackRock, a 10,000 employee public company in New York where she focused on best-in-class investment strategies for a wide range of clients.
"I've always been excited by innovation and technology that improves the world. The amount of information at our fingertips and speed at which we can do business is incredible." Thus, in 2011, Margaux moved to Colorado to pursue her passion for start-ups and joined TeamSnap where she developed and executed marketing strategies for the online software used to manage more than 40,000 sports teams in 112 countries before becoming chief operating officer for Live Wordly, which was founded by EA alum Kael Robinson '01. The venture handpicks fashionable products from around the world to share culture through fashion that gives back. Its goal was "to embrace cultures unfamiliar to us and positively to impact the lives of others, while enhancing our own, with a portion of the proceeds from each item being donated to a local non-profit."
With experience in every phase of company growth from bootstrapped start-up to mature enterprise, Margaux has a wealth of experience driving product, marketing, and sales results. She has consistently sought to work with truly mission-driven companies.
In 2014, she headed to San Francisco and joined Eventbrite, a global marketplace for live experiences that allows people to find and create events in 190 countries, as a Senior Account manager. She then moved to West Studios where she developed the go-to-market strategy for Impossible Foods. This Bay-Area startup is transforming the global food system by inventing a better way to make delicious meats and cheeses, without using animals. Margaux worked cross functionally with the executive, product ,and culinary teams to define the target audience, product experience, and launch strategy.
Margaux returned to the Philadelphia area in May 2016 to work with her mentor at Inspirit Growth. She now delivers coaching programs to business owners and their teams to become the best versions of themselves and achieve sustainable growth.
Her passion is empowering others to identify and live their life purpose, which, in the case of most entrepreneurs is their business. "My long-term goal has always been to have my own company and be in the business of helping other entrepreneurs as they go from concept to mature business model."
Despite her very busy work schedule, Margaux directs her passion for service to volunteerism. She has recently launched the Cornell Lacrosse Alumni Network to help current and former female athletes connect for professional advice and business opportunities. She has helped more than 50 men and women navigate through career crossroads, opportunities, and transitions, acting as a mentor, guide, and connector to companies and roles.
Margaux also founded CRAVE Productions (Conscious Resources Allocated to Valuable Endeavors), which creates unique event experiences that share a common purpose of bringing people together to raise awareness and funds for worthy causes. In four events CRAVE has raised more than $14,000 for organizations such as Kiva and WildAid. "I've been fortunate to have been surrounded by an incredible support system of family, friends, and mentors as I've navigated my journey, and I want to give back and be a part of this support system for others."
As an EA student, Margaux Viola was the quintessential high achiever in whatever she did. She lettered in three sports including winter track and was team Captain in soccer 2002 and Co-Captain in lacrosse 2003. As a Senior, Margaux was named All Inter-Ac, All Main Line and 2nd team All American in soccer and lacrosse All Inter-Ac, All Main Line, and 1st team All American. She was also a leader in EA's drug and alcohol awareness programs and a member of the Spanish Honors Society.
Margaux graduated from Cornell University '07 cum laude with a major in applied economics and management and a concentration in finance and entrepreneurship. She played Varsity Lacrosse four years, was Captain two years including the 2006 Ivy Championship team when named All American. She was All Ivy 2005-07; team MVP 2005 & 2006; and Academic All American 2006 & 2007.
The Young Alumni Spirit Award
Established in 2005, this award is presented to an alumnus or alumna who has demonstrated exceptional loyalty, service and devotion to the Academy in Regional Associations, Reunion Planning and/or Class Fundraising. This award is typically, but not exclusively within 15 years of graduation from the Academy.
Brett T. Meyers '03
A lifer at Episcopal and a '07 graduate of the University of Virginia, Brett has been active in many alumni events held in the area over the years. In addition to his career in wealth and investment management, Brett is serving his second stint on the Alumni Board of Managers, now as Vice President and Chair of the Golf Committee.
After the untimely passing of Richard Crockett '82, Brett took over the chairmanship of the Alumni Golf Outing that was later named in Rich's memory. Brett has spent countless hours revising and improving all aspects of the tournament – from the planning, marketing and operations, to managing its balance sheet. Under his leadership, the net income from the event has grown from $7,500 to more than $30,000 in just a few years, and participation has doubled. Now re-named the Episcopal Academy Golf Tournament and open to everyone in the Episcopal community, the proceeds it generates each year have allowed the Alumni Board to do what Rich ultimately envisioned: to endow a $150,000 scholarship for a child of an EA alum.
A leader in his class and highly respected in the alumni community, Brett continues to look into the way the tournament is run, surveys the participants, and plans upgrades to make it an even better event each year.
2017 Athletic Hall of Fame
The distinguished honor of being inducted into The Episcopal Academy's Athletic Hall of Fame has been presented since 2000. It is to honor those members of Episcopal's community, students, coaches, teams, others, who, by outstanding achievement or service to Episcopal athletics, have made significant contributions to the athletic program at Episcopal.
Michael P. Shouvlin '50
As a Junior, Mike transferred from Lower Merion High School to EA where he graduated with high honors, received the Class of '77 Prize, and "was one of the most outstanding all-around athletes" in his class.
Mike was a team leader and letter winner in four different sports. In football, he was a star player on the 1948 and 1949 teams, the latter of which had a record of six wins and one loss overall (163 points for v. 54 against) and 3-0 in the Inter-Ac (74-14 with two shutouts). As the QB, he scored the only TD in the 1949 EA/Haverford game to secure the third consecutive championship for EA. That season he was selected 1st Team All Inter-Ac.
In basketball he was a starting guard and consistent playmaker/scorer both years. He was a strong baseball player and a vital cog and instrumental in the teams success for two years. For the 1950 track team, he was an outstanding runner along with John Haines '52 Hall of Fame inductee 2000, and Ken Smith '50, Hall of Fame inductee 2005.
Mike was selected by his classmates for the Class of '77 Prize "the most coveted prize at any graduation" for his overall leadership and "proficiency in scholarship combined with a proper interest in athletics, true manliness of character, and popularity among his classmates."
At Wesleyan College '54, Mike was the QB for the Freshman team. A knee injury ended his football career, but he earned Varsity letters in both basketball and baseball.
Mike returned to EA to teach the fourth grade and to serve as an assistant football coach from '57 to '60.
After 25 years of working in New York for McGraw-Hill and in Connecticut for several companies, Mike started Shouvlin Associates, a career counseling and corporate outplacement firm. He also did extensive volunteer service during this time.
Mike "retired" in Cape May, NJ but continued aiding his community as co-chair of a program establishing the dune grass system for Cape May's waterfront; chair of the Southwestern Regional Water Commission; member of the local Environmental Commission and the Planning Board & Housing Authority. In 2008, The Cape May Taxpayer Associated named him its Citizen of the Year. In 2009, he and his wife, Mary Ann, returned to the area in Newtown Square.
Mike's dedication and loyalty to EA has seen him as an alumni leader in his capacity as a Trustee 1996-2002, and member of the Board of Managers 1992-99, serving as President 1997-99. For his 50th Reunion, he collaborated with classmates to establish "The Class of 1950 Scholarship Fund" to provide funds for "need-qualified students" with "leadership in academics, athletics, and the arts."
With his induction into EA's Athletic Hall of Fame, Mike becomes the first individual in EA's history to achieve this honor along with having received both the Distinguished Service Award in 1997 and the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2008. Clearly the school has benefitted significantly from that transfer 69 years ago!
Gregory W. Penske '80
Another EA "lifer," Penske earned Varsity letters in four different sports - Soccer 3, Lacrosse 3, Squash 1, Golf 1, and as a Senior, he was Co-Captain of the Soccer, midfield & striker, and Lacrosse, midfield & attack, teams. For his final three years, Greg was a starting player in both sports and in 1980, was selected as the Scholar-Athlete of EA by the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin.
In Lacrosse, he was 1st team All Inter-Ac in his Junior and Senior years. For 1980, he was 1st team All Main Line, All State, and All American. Only five athletes from the state were allowed to be so named in 1980.
The soccer teams of which Penske was a member won Inter-Ac Championships in his Sophomore and Senior years. In 1979, he was selected as both the team's and the League's MVP and was named Main Line Player of the Year by the Main Line Times. That same year, Greg was chosen 1st team All Main Line, All City, All State, and Honorable Mention All American.
Following EA, Penske headed to Cornell University where he earned three letters in both Soccer and Lacrosse. He played on the Lacrosse Team with three Ivy League Championships, two NCAA tournament appearances, and one Final Four. In soccer, he played in one NCAA Tournament and 2nd team All-Ivy in 1981. He graduated in 1984 with a degree in Business Management.
In 1985, Penske purchased a Cadillac dealership in Bakersfield, CA at age 22. That same year, Penske Corporation purchased Longo Toyota, in El Monte, CA, the largest and number-one Toyota dealership in the world. Penske was appointed its General Sales Manager in 1987. In 1989, he opened Longo Lexus as the number-one volume Lexus dealer in the world.
In 1993, Penske was named President of Penske Automotive that owned and operated Toyota, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Jaguar, Audi, and Aston Martin dealerships in California.
In 1995, he was tapped by Penske Motorsports to oversee the development of California Speedway in Fontana, which officially opened its first season on June 21, 1997 and was then appointed President/CEO of the public company.
In 2012, Penske became Chairman/CEO of Penske Motor Group and is currently overseeing the group's expansion to Texas with the construction of a Toyota store in Dallas, slated to open in the Fall of 2017.
Penske currently serves on the board of directors for Penske Corporation, Penske Automotive Group, LA2024 Olympic Board of Directors, Los Angeles Sports Council, Friends of Golf, Petersen Automotive Museum, and is an Advisor to Nucleus Scientific Inc.
Penske resides in Los Angeles with his wife Patricia, and three children, Sophia, 22, Nick 20, and Olivia 9.
Alison Murray Burkett '04
Alison was one of the most talented, most versatile and certainly most precocious female athletes to represent EA, winning 13 varsity letters in four different sports. As an 8th grader, she won varsity letters in soccer and softball, sandwiched around captaining the middle school girls' basketball team to an Inter-Ac Championship. That year, Alison was the goalkeeper for EA's inaugural girls' soccer team in 1999 and started every game for the next 5 years. She holds the EA girls soccer record for consecutive starts, games played, and shutouts and was a key member of the 2000 Inter-Ac Championship team - EA girls' first title. Also a talented field player, Alison would switch out of the goal when the team needed an offensive boost. As a senior, she was elected team captain and selected its Most Valuable Player, as well as being named first team All Inter-Ac, All Main Line, 2nd team as a Junior & Sophomore, and Main Line Life All Star, 2nd team as a Junior. The Bryn Mawr Rotary Club recognized her as the 2003 Area Girls' Soccer Player of the Year, an award based on "leadership, sportsmanship, ability, and unselfish team spirit - the player whose positive attitude and dedication brings out the best in her teammates." In Alison's five years with the team, its league record was 26-8-1, with the 2000 Championship and 3 runners-up, and its overall record was 49-24-8.
Alison's Head Coach Julie Porter recently commented "without Alison's tremendous contributions, the program would not have been nearly as successful. When I arrived at EA in 1999 to start the soccer program, Alison's athleticism overshadowed her 4'11" frame. This small but mighty athlete was a force in goal. As her body and confidence grew, she became a dominant goalkeeper. It's also worth mentioning that Alison was the ultimate team player. I'm quite certain that she would have preferred to play on the field but agreed to play in goal for most of her career at EA because that's where we needed her most. That sort of selflessness can't be quantified through statistics, but I think it's a very important detail about her contributions to the program and also a reflection of her outstanding character."
In basketball, Alison won three varsity letters and was the starting point guard for the 2003-04 team that went 17-6, one of EA's best finishes ever. As a senior, she earned 2nd team All Inter-Ac and was named the team's most improved player.
Though highly decorated in soccer and basketball, Alison was most recognized for girls lacrosse, where she was a four year starter, senior co-captain, and helped lead the team to three consecutive Inter-Ac Championships, including the 2003 EA Hall of Fame team. She was twice named First Team All Inter-Ac, twice named First Team All Main Line, and twice named a Main Line Life All Star. She was a two-time US Lacrosse Women's Division High School All-American - 1st team as a Senior and Honorable Mention as a Junior. Tracy Nelson, Head Coach, has remarked, Alison "has been such a dedicated athlete and constantly recognized for her contributions both on and off the field. She has had tremendous success in her athletic career, but more importantly she has humility and an unbelievable work ethic."
In recognition of her all around athletic excellence and leadership, Alison was the co-recipient of 2004 Episcopal Academy Sportsmanship Cup for "distinguished athletic achievement with high sportsmanship." The Inter-Ac League itself acknowledged Alison's multi-talented accomplishments by selecting her from among nominees from each member school as the winner of the 2004 Aimee Willard Award "presented annually to a senior girl who has participated in three varsity sports and [has been] clearly outstanding in their sports, team leaders, and show[n] excellent sportsmanship, intense, focused, tenacious, coachable and proud to be representing their school."
While at EA, Alison also played four years of ice hockey for the elite Delco Phantoms American Women's Hockey League team, which won two Delaware Valley Hockey League 19U Girls Championships and played in the 2003 USA Hockey National Championships.
After graduation, Alison's athletic success continued at Princeton University, where she was a four-year starter for the Tigers' nationally ranked varsity women's lacrosse team. She was a member of Princeton's 2006 Ivy League Championship Team and participated in 4 NCAA Championship Tournaments. Following her senior season, she was selected to participate in the 2008 Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association North/South Senior All-Star Game. Alison was the winner of Princeton's 2008 Connie McCallister Women's Lacrosse Award which recognizes "outstanding effort, selfless dedication, enthusiasm, and heart."
Following her collegiate career, Alison played five years for the New York Athletic Club's internationally competitive women's lacrosse team, of which she was elected team captain.
Both at EA and in college, Alison had the well-earned reputation for being an intense competitor, who focused upon achieving team goals over individual statistics. Her passion and toughness made her a valued teammate and a respected opponent.
1941 Baseball Team
With many of the players returning after winning two consecutive Inter-Ac titles, and a 12-game winning streak, hopes were high as the 1941 season started. Captain Charlie Shreiner '41 Hall of Fame inductee 2000, again as the ace pitching staff along with Walt Muller '41 combined to create one of the best hurling staffs in the area. With Andy Knox '41 at catcher, Phil Lillie '41 at 1st base, Geoff Hawley '41 at 2nd, Paul Long '42 at SS, and Jim Warren '41 at 3rd, the team had an experienced infield with consistent hitting and strong fielding. In the outfield Mitch Beardsley '41 in left, Hughie McClelland '42 in right, and Charlie Harris '43 or Shreiner in center, provided "the tremendous hitting power of the team, and many foes wilted under the heavy barrage of their bats." Bus Gager '41, Charlie Steel '41, Bill Ryan '43, Tom Kent '43, and Ward Abronski '42 served as reliable substitutes.
The season opened with a 16-2 victory over Haverford High thereby avenging a defeat in the previous year. Wins over Upper Darby (10-3), Lower Merion (7-1), and Roxborough (4-2) preceded the first Inter-Ac contest v. GA which resulted in a shutout 10-0. Following a rout of George School (13-2), Penn Charter fell 6-2. With Shreiner absent, Muller, coupled with good hitting, blanked Haverford 6-0 and had another stellar outing beating Friends Central 10-1. In the next game v. Chestnut Hill, Shreiner "baffled its batters with sweeping curves and a hopping fastball winning 19-1 with the aid of hard hitting by his teammates." A second win v. GA (8-0) was followed by an encounter with PC. Beardsley's "homer in the 7th with two outs and Shreiner on 1st" led to a 5-4 triumph. Subsequent victories over Haverford (7-0), Freinds Central (8-1), and CHA (21-1) completed an undefeated season and a third consecutive Inter-Ac crown.
This amazing team established two EA records - 24 straight Inter-Ac wins along with 27 straight wins overall.
Hall of Fame Head Coach, Ray Keegan, Hon., inducted in 2000, the inaugural year, wrote an article covering his 25 years of EA baseball, wherein he discussed the top players at each position. From this 1941 team, four players were on the first team - Shreiner, Hawley, Warren, and Beardsley; four were on the second team - Lillie, Long, Ed Flannigan (CF) and McClelland; and two were Honorable Mention - Knox and Muller.
Shreiner was the pitcher for 4 years, starting at 15 years old. The team won Inter-Ac titles in his last three years at EA, during which he compiled 28 wins with only two losses - those coming in 1938 & 39; thereafter winning 24 straight games. "He was one of the finest hitters ever - in 1941 his average was .511."
Hawley was chosen the top 2nd baseman because of his fielding and "great clutch hitting." The top 3rd baseman was Warren who "was like a jack-rabbit in the field and could hit." The best left fielder was Beardsley who was clean-up hitter on the championship teams 1939-41.
1956 Track Team
The Tabula described this team as "one of the best in many years." It was well balanced, highly competitive, and successful not only because of the motivation and spirit of the team members but also because of the outstanding coaching of Messrs. Brennan, Schlegel, and George Greenwood, Hon. and Hall of Fame inductee 2000.
In its initial six dual meets, EA beat Haverford School 72-22, Haverford College Freshmen 63-36, Malvern 82-17, Girard College 60-38, Germantown Academy 74-25 and Lincoln High School 54-45. It had its only loss to a very powerful Penn Charter squad in its last dual meet by only 3 points - 48-51.
Importantly, nine days later it upset that same Penn Charter team in the Inter-Ac championship 60 3/4 to 55 to gain EA's first championship since 1950 by placing in every event and winning five of them.
The team was characterized by depth in the running events where the competition among EA teammates was so strong as to seemingly rival the competition against other schools. In the 100, 220, 440, 880, the mile, and the hurdles, more often than not, if one could beat one's teammates, there was a high probability that one would win against competitors from other schools.
Throughout the year, in the sprints, one could not be certain whether the winner would be Ray Burton '56, Dick Manning '56 or Greville Munger '56, but it was likely to be one of the three with the others also contributing points. In the half mile, the winner was very likely to be either of teammates Don Metz '58 or Captain Bill Graburn '56 with the other a close second. If Munger did not win an event, he could be counted on to add points in more than one of the four or five events he entered in every competition. The same was true in the hurdles. Jay Crawford '57, Hall of Fame inductee 2005, was likely to win either the high or low hurdles or both as he happened in the Inter-Ac championships, but teammate Ralph DeOrsay '58 consistently added to the point total.
Track is not regarded as a team sport, but for the participants in the 1956 track team it was very much team effort, not just because of the encouragement teammates provided for each, but because of having to practice daily against the strongest competition the team would face. There were some very talented athletes on the team although it was not a team of superstars but rather one in which each one made everyone else better through competition.
The major challenge for EA in the Inter-Acs was to offset the contributions of Barney Berlinger, especially in the field events. Episcopal earned points in every event and won five of the 11 events. Penn Charter won four events primarily due to Berlinger winning three of them and earning 16 1/2 points. Penn Charter outscored Episcopal in the field events 35-13 3/4, but Stan Boothby '56 managed to win the broad jump while George Redpath '56 and Lou Mutschler '57 took second and third in in the high jump and Milligan scored in the shot put.
Episcopal dominated the running events, scoring 47 points versus Penn Charter's 20. Manning took first and Munger second in the 440, upsetting the favorite from Penn Charter. Crawford won the high hurdles and took third in the low hurdle while DeOrsay took second and third places in those events. Munger added important points to EA's point total by a second place finish in the 100 and a fourth place in the 220. Graburn won the half mile with Metz a close second, upsetting the returning champion, Bill Streamer of Germantown Friends. Graburn also won the mile against a strong field.
Undoubtedly, one of the highlights of the season was when EA captured first place in the Inter-Ac mile relay at the prestigious Penn Relays thanks to the excellent performances by Munger, Graburn, Metz, and Manning as anchorman.
The 1975-76 Varsity Wrestling Team
The 1975-76 Wrestling Team was unique. It was comprised of significant contributors from all classes, freshman through senior. Led by Coach Gus Compson, Hon., assistant coaches Bob Linker, Hon., and Crawford Hill '70, and senior co-captains, Stephen Brooks '76 and Steven Yermish '76, it was committed to ending Episcopal's longest winless streak against Haverford School in any sport and one of the longest sports championship droughts in school history. Relentless in their preparation, they even practiced on Thanksgiving, the team did what no other could for 26 years; they beat Haverford, and won the Inter-Ac championship for the first time since 1950.
This was a team several years in the making, starting with earlier teams captained by Dave Cunningham '73, Michael Mintz '74 and Loren Copeland '75 and Chris LeVine '75 Hall of Fame inductee 2000. The culmination of this four-year process was a team that went 14-2 in their dual meets, won the Chestnut Hill Invitational with four champions and six third place winners and also had multiple champions and place winners in the Upper Merion Invitational, the Philadelphia Area Private Schools Championship, and the National Prep School Invitational Tournament.
Aside from Yermish and Brooks, the team was led by a strong, experienced group of seniors, Tom Hilberts '76, Eric Lewis '76 and Jamie Umstattd '76. Juniors Lee Cox '77, Jim Kavle '77, and Steve Vastine '77 all had excellent seasons, but it was some of the youngest wrestlers who provided surprising strength and some memorable upsets in the biggest meets of the year. These included sophomores Wayne Billups '78, and Richard Schneider '79 and freshmen Jay Borkowski '79, Hall of Fame inductee 2009, Renato Minard '79, Robert Hawthorne '79, and Don Blenko '79.
Three wrestlers, Yermish, Blenko, and Billups had undefeated dual meet records. Lee Cox, was a finalist while Yermish and Billups also placed at the National Preps. Brooks and Yermish, fittingly provided their own sense of excitement and destiny in the season's two premiere dual meets. Wrestling at heavyweight, Yermish's match went down to the final seconds, sealing the victory over Haverford School, 25-22. Brooks, a middleweight, secured the victory to finally win the Inter-Ac title against two-time defending Inter-Ac champion Germantown Academy, 38-12, in the season's final meet!
This team created a legacy, placing Episcopal's wrestling program in the forefront of local sports and creating an environment for future success. The results included, among other things, Lee Cox's repeat appearance as a National Prep finalist in 1977, another Inter-Ac Championship in 1978 and two National Prep champions in 1979 with finals victories by Bob Hawthorne and Don Blenko, only ten minutes apart.
Moreover Gus Compson instilled in his wrestlers a sense of determination, commitment and excellence that carried over to their college sports careers and beyond. Some wrestled; others very successfully pursued other sports. Injuries cut some careers short, but all have found success.
Stephen Brooks, M.D., had a brief wrestling career at the University of Pennsylvania. Today he lives with his wife and two children in Massachusetts, where he is a surgeon at Cape Cod Hospital.
Steven Yermish continued wrestling for another thirteen years after graduating. Although injuries cost him large parts of two college seasons, he was a four-year letter winner at Wesleyan University, placing 5th and earning All-New England honors in 1979. Steven also won the Middle Atlantic AAU freestyle championship at 220 pounds twice, finished second in the eastern regional Olympic Trials in 1980, earning him an invitation to the final Olympic trials that year. He also placed in the 1979 Junior World team trials for the US team in both freestyle and Greco-Roman. And in 1977, he placed second in Greco-Roman at 220 pounds, winning the silver medal, for the United States in the Maccabiah Games in Tel Aviv, Israel. Today, he lives in Florida with his wife and son, where he is an attorney for the Miami-Dade Public Defenders Office.
Eric Lewis, M.D. was a three-year letterman in wrestling for Trinity College, losing his senior year to injury. He has also coached wrestling at Kingswood Regional High School near his home in New Hampshire. Today, Eric lives with his wife, has four children and four grandchildren, and has a private practice in family medicine.
Bob Hawthorne wrestled for three years at Livingstone College in North Carolina, where he won an NAI Championship. He has also coached wrestling for ten years, including his daughter, who is a state high school championship contender. Today, Bob lives with his wife in Indianapolis, where he is the business manager for a large church. They have four children.
Lee Cox has had an extensive career in wrestling after Episcopal. At Duke University he was a three-year starter and letter winner. He returned to Episcopal in 1985, assisting Crawford Hill and Pete Shaifer until 1992, a period during which EA won three more Inter-Ac Championships. Since 2001, Lee has assisted head coach Bill Racich at Ursinus College during which his teams produced five Conference Championships, seven NCAA All-Americans, and 35 NCAA Scholar All-Americans. Lee lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and family, including his oldest son who is a freshman wrestler at Marple Newtown High School. Lee owns and operates an underwater archaeological consulting firm, studying shipwrecks and conducting maritime surveys.
Wayne Billups wrestled at Drexel University for four years, three on the varsity. Injuries took their toll on him however, costing him most of his freshman and senior years and cutting his junior year short when then undefeated. He did capture fourth place in the East Coast Conference during his sophomore year, posting a 12-4 record. Wayne and his wife reside in Virginia; they have two adult sons. He works as an IT Project Manager for Johns Hopkins Applied Physics lab in Laurel, Md.
Don Blenko wrestled at Yale in only his sophomore year; a wrist injury forced him to retire. He now lives in Massachusetts with his wife and three children, where he manages investments while playing house-dad.
Jim Kavle played college rugby at Ohio Wesleyan, captaining his team in his junior and senior years. After that, he devoted himself to sail boat racing, training for the 1984 Olympics and then winning the America's Cup regatta in Australia as a crew member for Dennis Conner. Over the next five years, Jim won four world championships in four different yacht classes. Today Jim lives in Maryland with his wife and two sons, where he is the general manager of a marine company that does fabrication for sail and power yachts.
Jay Borkowski's wrestling career also ended after Episcopal, but his rugby career, which began at Duke University, led to his selection to all-star teams for North Carolina and the Eastern Rugby Union, a national championship, and tours of England, Wales, Australia, and New Zealand. He lives with his wife and two daughters in North Carolina, where he is a principal of a private financial analytics software company.
Tom Hilberts, Steve Vastine, Jamie Umstattd, Rich Schneider and Renato Minard also concluded their wrestling careers at Episcopal, but have continued success in various businesses and fields, as has the team's dedicated manager, Paul "Buzz" Miller.