Milton Should Offer More Intramural Sports

By Molly O’Brien ’26

Milton Academy should expand its intramural sports offerings to give students more flexible ways to stay active and enjoy athletics outside of traditional team sports.

Athletics are essential to Milton’s culture. This spring alone, the baseball team won the Independent School League (ISL) championship, the track and field teams broke multiple school records, and many Milton athletes won ISL awards. However, while competitive athletics thrive on campus, students who cannot commit to a traditional team sport have far fewer opportunities to participate in organized physical activity.

Milton requires students to consistently participate in athletics. Freshmen must complete an athletic requirement during all three seasons and are allowed to participate in the Class IV Play to fill one season. Sophomores are also required to participate in three seasons, although one season must be fulfilled through the Fitness Concepts class. Juniors and seniors must complete two seasons, and one season in those two years can be replaced by the CPR certification course, a graduation requirement which is offered during the school day. While PE offers a valuable option for students with busy after school schedules, it does not serve those who want to be active after school without committing to the demanding schedule of a competitive sports team. Students can also receive athletic waivers for certain outside activities not offered by Milton, most commonly rowing, but these waivers are only available for one season a year, even if the activity lasts all year.

Milton does offer a few intramural and alternative athletic options, but they are limited in availability and accessibility. The two primary intramural offerings are yoga in the fall and Pilates in the winter. This year, the yoga program, taught by Math Department Chair Mrs. Rebecca McCormick, was open to only seniors, while the Pilates program, taught by Upper School Learning Specialist Ms. Kelsey Mumford, had spaces available to juniors. Both programs meet three times a week after school, providing students with a structured after school activity without the demanding schedule of a sports team. Students may also participate in the outdoor program, a more demanding intramural program. The Athletic Training program known as Darlings is an option in the fall and the winter; however, the program is most often filled by athletes during their off-seasons. As a result, for students who are not athletes but still want an organized after school activity, particularly underclassmen, the available choices are extremely limited.

Phillips Academy Andover demonstrates how much more robust an intramural program can be. In addition to offering almost seventy interscholastic teams across twenty-one sports, Andover provides students with a wide range of intramural and recreational activities each season. Students can participate in traditional intramural sports such as basketball, as well as wellness focused activities like yoga or dance. Andover also offers flexible athletic options for upperclassmen, which allow students to pursue academic, artistic, or personal interests while still meeting the athletic requirement. Most notably, Andover offers at least eleven intramural options each season, from spin classes to dog walking and bird watching. While Milton and Andover are different schools with different resources, Andover’s model demonstrates that athletic requirements can be met through a much broader range of activities than traditional competitive sports alone.

Expanding intramural offerings at Milton would not require a complete overhaul of the athletic department. The school already employs a large number of full-time athletic faculty members and one staff member could take on a leadership role coordinating intramural activities. While coaches and athletic administrators already have significant responsibilities during each season, many intramural options could be based around activities that faculty members already enjoy. Programs such as walking clubs, recreational basketball or soccer, or dance fitness would require far less time and logistical support than a sport. By creating a wider variety of low-commitment options, Milton could better serve students who want to remain active after school without the demanding schedule of a competitive team.