The athletic program at The Williams School provides students with the opportunity to develop individual leadership qualities and self-confidence, as well as physical competence. Students increase their mental and physical skills, body control, endurance, and strength by competing with other students in both intramural and interscholastic events. It is the hope of the Athletic Department that these experiences will foster good sportsmanship and lead to a lifetime participation in some kind of sports activity.

Physical Education Requirements Interscholastic Athletics Awards Facilities Life Sports Sports Teams

Physical Education Requirements
Seventh grade students meet three times and eighth grade students meet twice in the seven-day rotation for regularly scheduled Physical Education classes. The program includes the President's Physical Fitness testing, ultimate frisbee, flag football, team handball, volleyball, pickleball, bowling, cricket, tennis/badminton, soccer, flag rugby, basketball, and softball. Students also will have an introductory unit in the new fitness room. Each student in the Upper School must complete seven units of P.E. to graduate. A P.E. unit is either a season (fall, winter and spring) of an interscholastic sport or a semester-long independent program.* Twelve P.E. units are available to an upper school team athlete, eight units to students who pursue an independent program. Combinations of seasons of competitive sports and semesters of independent study are also possible at the discretion of the P.E. Department, but there cannot be an overlap of credits (i.e. earning two or more credits at one time.) Winter sports are credited to second semester. Any student who is a team member in an interscholastic sport for a season earns a unit for that season. Students who do not play on sports teams or enroll in Life Sports must follow an independent program to receive credit. If students are involved in outside athletic programs (i.e. gymnastics, dance, riding, etc.) with instructors with whom they meet regularly, they must complete and submit an exemption form to the P.E. Department at the beginning of each semester. In addition, students must complete and return quarterly reports to the P. E. Department for evaluation. No P.E. credit will be awarded if the student fails to complete an independent study program.

* Any student who takes a Dance Department course (Beginning, Intermediate, or Advanced) for a semester completes a P.E. unit. Students who participate in the Spring Musical may earn a PE unit with the recommendation from the Drama Director in consultation with the PE Department.

Interscholastic Athletics

League Play
League Play: Varsity, JV and/or Middle School teams are fielded in both boys and girls sports. All varsity teams are under the umbrella of the New England Prep School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) and belong to the Western New England Preparatory School Athletic Association (WNEPSAA—District 4 in NEPSAC) and the Connecticut Independent School Athletic Conference (CISAC). The Middle School teams belong to the Thames Athletic Conference (TAC).

Awards

Athletic Awards
After every sports season, each team has its own awards ceremony where parents, friends and athletes are invited to participate in recognizing the achievements of athletes on interscholastic teams. At these events, the coaches may recognize individual players with special awards.

Varsity Letters
An athlete is awarded one varsity letter in his or her high school career. For each succeeding varsity letter earned, a pin or bar is then presented to the athlete to add to the letter.

Facilities

Indoor
Basketball practices and games at Williams take place in either the full-size Leonard H. Bulkeley Gymnasium or the practice gymnasium. All swimming practices and home meets are held at Connecticut College pool.

Outdoor
Varsity and JV Soccer (girls and boys), Varsity and JV Field Hockey, Varsity and JV Lacrosse (girls and boys) and Baseball (Varsity and JV) teams practice and play at the Williams Athletic Complex off Bloomingdale Road in Waterford. The Middle School Co-ed Soccer team practices at the Connecticut College Chapel Field, but plays games at The Williams School Athletic Complex. The Cross Country team trains either at the Complex or at Williams. The Softball teams (Varsity and JV) practice and play games at Toby May Field in New London. The Tennis team practices and plays matches at Washington Park. The Sailing team practices and sails at the Wadawanuck Yacht Club in Stonington. The Golf team practices and plays at Pequot Golf Course. During fall and spring outdoor seasons, a school bus leaves from the school's south parking lot to take athletes to the Complex at 3:00 p.m. A late school bus/van leaves at 3:30 p.m. to take all remaining athletes to the Complex.

Life Sports
This physical education class is offered as a non-competitive alternative to team sports. Activities include tennis, volleyball, running, and badminton. (Offered in the fall and spring; meets 3 hours per week.)

Sports Teams
Co-ed Sports
Cross-Country (7-12) (Fall-Varsity; Winter/Spring- Recreational)
Swimming (7-12) (Winter)
Tennis (7-12) (Spring)
Sailing (7-12) (Fall-Recreational; Spring-Varsity and JV)
Golf (7-12) (Fall-Recreational; Spring-Varsity)
Life Sports (9-12) (Fall and Spring)

Boys Sports
Soccer (7-12) (Fall)
Basketball (7-12) (Winter)
Baseball (7-12) (Spring)
Lacrosse (7-12) (Spring)

Girls Sports
Field Hockey (7-12) (Fall)
Soccer (7-12) (Fall)
Basketball (7-12) (Winter)
Softball (7-12) (Spring)
Lacrosse (7-12) (Spring)