Thayer Academy lacrosse team listens to their coach.

Thayer Athletics

At Thayer, our athletics philosophy serves our institutional mission, and we believe that every student should participate in physical activities to balance the significant time and energy spent toward academics and other extracurricular activities to ensure overall health and wellness.

The Middle and Upper School athletic, physical education, and health and wellness requirements–each year offering opportunities in interscholastic athletics, physical education classes, and classroom programs–allow students to learn, compete, and grow in mind and body. The benefits of team sports, physical education, and health education include:

  • The experience of teamwork, competition, sportsmanship, winning, and losing
  • Development of relationships and self-confidence, plus physical and life skills
  • Knowledge of nutrition, fitness, and mental relaxation
  • Development of leadership skills, discipline, and a strong sense of self

ISL and NEPSAC

Thayer is a charter member of the Independent School League (ISL) and games and matches against several non-league teams are also scheduled in most sports.

Thayer is also a member of the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC), which sponsors many postseason tournaments.


Thayer Sports Center

The Thayer Sports Center is on the South Athletic Campus. At 86,000 square feet, the TSC houses the Arthur T. Valicenti Rink with one and a half sheets of ice, an indoor multi-sport playing field that converts to tennis courts in the spring, dedicated locker rooms, a concessions stand, and a hospitality suite.

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      A Commitment to Excellence

      Numerous upgrades have been made to the athletic fields on the main school campus. The summer of 2015 saw the main baseball and softball fields undergo a complete overhaul. Both fields were re-graded and re-sodded; the irrigation system was also enhanced. Both fields have a professional portable fencing system that gives the look and feel of a permanent field but allows for the fencing to be taken down after the spring season. This, in turn, allows for a regulation soccer pitch to be lined between the two diamonds.

      In the summer of 2016 the two grass fields behind the school were converted to turf fields using a natural vegetable fill rather than the traditional rubber fill. These are multi-purpose fields used for a variety of Upper and Middle School sports. In the fall these fields are used by soccer and field hockey for practices and games while football uses them for practices. During the spring these fields are used by boys and girls lacrosse for practices and games and also for sub-varsity baseball and softball for practices and games. 

      In 2018, a hospitality pavilion opened between the track and the turf fields. This new pavilion allows for pizza parties, team activities, and numerous tailgating events. It also provides much-needed space for equipment storage and restroom facilities. 

      The fall of 2019 was a truly special time as the Thayer Sports Center opened at the South Athletic Campus. The center houses one and a half ice sheets, giving the Academy its first on-campus ice rink in school history. The rink is named in honor of longtime coach and athletic director Arthur Valicenti ‘51 P ‘75, ‘75, ‘77 GP ‘10, ‘14. The 86,000-square-foot facility also has: an indoor, multi-sport playing field that converts to four tennis courts in the spring; dedicated locker rooms; a concessions stand; a spectators' room; and a host of other amenities. Also located on South Athletic Campus are four new outdoor tennis courts and an existing outdoor turf field. 

      That same year, the Academy completely refurbished the Fish Center for Physical Fitness with updated equipment and flooring. Thayer's track also had a complete resurfacing, and the pit areas were reconfigured. 

      These steps exemplify Thayer’s commitment to provide students with versatile, top-notch facilities across the full spectrum of athletic offerings.