Much to celebrate at Homecoming 2023

Thayer Academy celebrated its 2023 Homecoming Saturday (Sept. 23) with victories on the playing fields, family fun under the Big Tent, and camaraderie among the entire Thayer community. 

The aftereffects of Tropical Storm Ophelia left the day a bit drizzly but, thankfully, nowhere near the dour forecasts offered earlier in the week. Originally slated for outside, the annual cornhole competition was moved inside Alumni Gymnasium yet still proved a crowd-pleaser. Other fun events — a petting zoo, face painting, and balloon animals — were also relocated to Cahall Campus Center but saw strong turnout, as did the food trucks parked outside near the Academy’s outdoor pools. 

Always the center of attention even under sunny skies, the TAPA Big Tent was even more popular this year as people sought a temporary refuge from the weather in between the day’s myriad sporting events. Inside, they found a variety of tasty treats courtesy of the TAPA bake sale, limited-edition Thayer merchandise, and complimentary snacks provided by the always-friendly crew of TAPA volunteers. 

At both the varsity and JV levels, Thayer teams displayed true Tiger spirit, and many of the teams came away with important early-season wins for their efforts. On the Friday afternoon before Homecoming, both the girls and boys varsity cross country teams were victorious in home meets against St. Mark’s. On Homecoming itself, boys varsity soccer earned a 4-0 victory over Governor’s while the girls varsity soccer squad defeated Governor’s by a score of 3-0. Varsity volleyball defeated Governor’s 3-0 inside Memorial Gym, and the varsity football team took to Ward S. Donner Memorial Field to beat St. Mark’s 36-12. The girls varsity field hockey team battled against Governor’s but lost by a score of 2-1. 

On the eve of Homecoming, which this year was twinned with the annual Reunion celebration, the Thayer Academy Alumni Association held its Evening of Alumni Excellence dinner in Cahall Dining Hall. There, the alumni association honored: Jamie Cashman ‘73 P ‘19, ‘21 (Achievement Award); Sandra Colman ‘73 P ‘18 (Loyalty Award); and Dr. Ameer Shah ‘03 (Humanitarian Award). The association also inducted two individuals and one team into the the Thayer Academy Sports Hall of Fame: Matt Evans ‘08, football; Amy Smith Wright ‘90, field hockey; and the 1991-92 boys basketball team, a squad which took home both the ISL and NEPSAC championships that season. (Editor’s Note: A news story on the celebration dinner is forthcoming).