Schools State Wrestling Tournament, served on five School Accreditation
Teams for the Middle States Association, and was manager of the Bryn Athyn
Swim Club for numerous summers. He was the Academy commencement
speaker in 2012, focusing on marriage.
After earning an Associate Degree at Bryn Athyn College in 1979,
Aileen threw herself into a number of jobs, including: Bryn Athyn Swim
Club Treasurer, resident Dining Hall Manager and manager of the Snack Bar,
program coordinator of the Bryn Athyn Youth Hockey program, and lead
volunteer for the Academy Scholarship Golf Tournament.
For the past nine years she has worked side by side with Shawn as
Athletic Department Administrative Assistant, Assistant Athletic Director,
and Asplundh Field House Facility Manager.
In 1992 the seniors dedicated their yearbook to Shawn and Aileen, and in
2007 they were jointly named Outstanding Volunteers for the Academy.
Shawn says of his years at the Academy: My experiences as a high
school student at the Academy absolutely changed my life, my family and
shaped my career. At a time where I lost my father (coming into high school),
the Boys School faculty stepped up in a big way to provide the role modeling
that was essential in my life. As a junior I met Aileen, and even without some
of the Girls School faculty’s approval we started dating and never stopped.
But it was mentors such as Ron Nelson, Garry Hyatt, Jerry Odhner,
Dudley Davis, Bob Johns, Dan Pendleton, Andy Davis, Nishan Yardumian
and many others who gave me the push in the direction of education. When
the call came in 1988 to move from a part-time contributor to full time, I was
really excited to give back to the Academy that had given me so much as a
student.
Teaching Health and Physical Education has been great, and while I know
and value the great New Church education that takes place every day in the
halls and classrooms of the school, I think that some of the best New Church
education occurs on our playing fields. Athletics has been and continues to be
one of the strongest areas where the practical application of New Church theory
and philosophy can be seen every day. Our students continue to showcase
our school in so many positive ways through their level of teamwork and
sportsmanship and the Academy is a centerpiece in the region that others look
up to as one to emulate.
As Athletic Directors we are just stewards of our positions here. There
have been great people who have gone before us and we are really excited
about those who will follow us. Aileen and I inherited high-quality programs
from our predecessors and we hope that we are passing the torch with a bright
flame for the future. It is really our excellent coaching staffs that deserve all
of the credit. They are the ones that make the Academy athletic engine go!
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