“As they find success in the athletic arena, finding success in other areas of life is a natural next step.” – Abe Hepler, PWA Vice President
For several years, basketball was the only game in town at Pierceton Woods Academy. But it quickly became apparent that the boys who played basketball showed a marked improvement in behavior—and that it might be worth adding additional extracurricular sports to capitalize on the opportunities provided by athletics.
Today, under the leadership of its Vice President, Abe Hepler, Pierceton Woods has successfully made this shift. As a result, the young men at Pierceton Woods can earn varsity letters, varsity letter jackets, and to participate in a handful of different athletic opportunities where they compete—sometimes intramurally, sometimes against other schools.
Hepler says the varsity sports program at Pierceton Woods was developed to help its students leverage the vital role athletics can play in building self-esteem, self-confidence, and personal pride.
“For the last 20 years, I have watched what profound impact athletics can make in the life of a teenager,” he explains. “Belonging to a team and learning a sport that teaches new skills and sharpens physical techniques can be powerful components to personal growth. In addition, we see clear patterns of improved behavior for the boys on the basketball team. We wanted to be able to replicate that opportunity across multiple seasons of the year and offer the same advantages to young men who like to play other sports.”
Pierceton Woods now offers bowling, disc golf, golf, pickleball, and tennis in addition to basketball. The program rounds out its opportunities with chess and esports. Participating students are required to tryout, practice with their teams daily, and maintain academic and program standards.
Hepler says the program has come a long way since the days when basketball was its only offering.
“It’s been fun to watch these young men participate in team sports and individual sports, with the personal growth that comes with those experiences,” he says. “These kids would likely not have had these opportunities at the schools they attended in the past. As they find success in the athletic arena, finding success in other areas of life is a natural next step.”
