Mr. Hutchins’s Promising Plans
The start of the school year kicked off and athletes began to arrive on campus. The weeklong preseason allowed players to bond over practices and games prior to the start of the semester. Athletic Director, Mr. Pete Hutchins was ready to start the fall athletic season strong and commenced his plan to improve the student-athlete experience. Hutchins aims to make improvements to the department “without compromising what I think are important hallmarks of the WRA experience, which are community and attracting students who really value their academic experience.” He seeks to recruit student-leaders who are passionate about their sport. Furthermore, Hutchins finds it important to encourage coaching staff to be enthusiastic towards their sports.
A few sports fall short in numbers, such as girls soccer and softball, and, as a result, their JV teams cannot be sustained. Hutchins wants athletes to be able to compete against teams of similar caliber. He believes intimidation should not be a factor in an athlete’s decision whether or not to pursue a sport. Over time, he hopes that these teams will continue to grow and succeed. Field hockey was able to add a JV team and combat their initially small roster when the team expanded as the season progressed. Low numbers are not the only challenge athletics faces at Reserve. Hutchins is looking to improve facilities because the unpredictable weather in Northeast Ohio can make it difficult for teams to practice outside. He wants to ensure that teams are able to practice in adequate conditions no matter the weather.
There are also some new additions in the athletic department as Ms. Caitlyn Schooner was hired as the Assistant to the Athletic Director. Schooner reviews logistics and helps organize finances. Landon Allis ‘23 is also present within the athletic department, as he helps oversee game day operations as the, “man in the stadium.” Together, Hutchins and the athletic department want to help create a platform for students to pursue their interests in athletics.
– Ella Brooks ’23
The Reserve Record 