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Woodlynde Athletics strives to develop young people equipped with the tools needed to thrive in the classroom, on the courts, and in the community.
Woodlynde Athletics welcomes student-athletes of all skill levels. Supportive coaches create a safe environment for student-athletes to learn a sport for the first time or continue to develop their expertise, all while building healthy physical habits. Individual and team successes are celebrated, while challenges and failures provide opportunities for learning and growth.
Our philosophy is to develop the full student-athlete—including intrapersonal, interpersonal, and social-emotional skills—through education-based athletics. Communication skills are taught and developed both on the individual and team level. We challenge students to show perseverance in the face of adversity, accountability for their actions and words, humility in victory and defeat, and trust in themselves, their coaches, and their teammates. We encourage students to embody these core tenets and recognize them for walking the PATH of the Warrior by naming PATHletes of the Week throughout the year.
Athletic Department Staff
Gabriel began his career at Woodlynde in 2012 as an Upper School History Teacher and coach. After years of coaching volleyball, basketball, golf, and bowling he transitioned in the Director of Athletics role in 2021. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education Social Studies from Elizabethtown College and a masters degree in Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia University, Irvine. He lives with his wife, daughter, and dog in Philadelphia.
Harm started at Woodlynde in the fall of 2021 as the Athletic Trainer. This year they have stepped into an expanded role as the Strength and Conditioning Coordinator and 9th grade health teacher. They hold a bachelor of science in Athletic Training from Temple University. In their clinical practice and the classroom, they strive to nurture self-advocacy skills, health literacy, and a love of movement in their students and patients. They live with their partner and cat in Philadelphia.
General Information
Conference Membership
Woodlynde Athletics participates at the Varsity level in the Penn-Jersey Athletic Association (PJAA). Member schools are located in the greater Philadelphia area in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. A list of member schools as well as locations, master schedules, and results can be found on the PJAA website.
Sports offered at Woodlynde
A comprehensive list of sports and teams offered at Woodlynde can be found on the Athletics page on the Woodlynde website.
Positive Coaches Alliance
Woodlynde School partners with the Positive Coaches Alliance to build positive experiences for all constituents. Positive Coaching Alliance will give seminars to student-athletes, coaches, and parents throughout the year. They teach practical and proven techniques to help students-athletes be better athletes and better people. Positive Coaching Alliance is also a resource for coaches, parents, and administrators to help student-athletes have the best experience possible.
Woodlynde School partners with the Positive Coaches Alliance to build positive experiences for all constituents. Positive Coaching Alliance will give seminars to student-athletes, coaches, and parents throughout the year. They teach practical and proven techniques to help students-athletes be better athletes and better people. Positive Coaching Alliance is also a resource for coaches, parents, and administrators to help student-athletes have the best experience possible.
Sport levels offered at Woodlynde
Varsity Level:
The goal of Varsity teams is to field the best team possible to compete for championships in the Penn-Jersey Athletic Association. In order to create the best competitive game situations, the coaching staff will determine playing time based on player ability and experience, as well as dedication, attendance, and effort in practice. Varsity teams play a full schedule of PJAA league games, as well as a few non-league teams.
The goal of Varsity teams is to field the best team possible to compete for championships in the Penn-Jersey Athletic Association. In order to create the best competitive game situations, the coaching staff will determine playing time based on player ability and experience, as well as dedication, attendance, and effort in practice. Varsity teams play a full schedule of PJAA league games, as well as a few non-league teams.
Junior Varsity Level:
The goal of JV teams is skill development through practice and competition. Playing time is not guaranteed, but coaches make a concerted effort to provide game play opportunities for all players. Playing time is determined by dedication, attendance, and effort in practice. A variety of opponents are scheduled, both PJAA teams and non-league teams.
The goal of JV teams is skill development through practice and competition. Playing time is not guaranteed, but coaches make a concerted effort to provide game play opportunities for all players. Playing time is determined by dedication, attendance, and effort in practice. A variety of opponents are scheduled, both PJAA teams and non-league teams.
Middle School:
The goal of MS teams is skill development and introduction to the sport. Players will play in each contest, assuming they have attended practice and been dedicated to the team. Middle School teams do not participate in league play. A variety of opponents are scheduled, both PJAA teams and non-league teams.
The goal of MS teams is skill development and introduction to the sport. Players will play in each contest, assuming they have attended practice and been dedicated to the team. Middle School teams do not participate in league play. A variety of opponents are scheduled, both PJAA teams and non-league teams.
Developmental:
The goal of developmental teams is to introduce students to a specific sport for the first time. Developmental teams will not play games against other teams.
The goal of developmental teams is to introduce students to a specific sport for the first time. Developmental teams will not play games against other teams.
Athletic Venues List
On Campus
- Boys Soccer
- Girls Volleyball
- Middle School Basketball
- Ultimate Frisbee
- MS Soccer and Boys Volleyball
Tredyffrin Township Library
(Strafford Park)
550 Upper Gulph Road, Wayne, PA 19087
- Girls Tennis
- Boys Tennis
300 Lancaster Ave., Devon, PA 19333
- Bowling
Competitive Edge
320 S Henderson Road, King of Prussia, PA 19406
1399 Old Eagle School Road, Wayne, PA 19087
4000 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA 19073
320 S Henderson Road, King of Prussia, PA 19406
- Boys and Girls Basketball and Cheerleading
1399 Old Eagle School Road, Wayne, PA 19087
- Golf
4000 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA 19073
- Golf
Policies
Attendance
In order to provide the best possible experience for student-athletes, attendance at all practices and games is expected. To best learn and grow as individual players and teams, attendance is critical. Unexcused absences will not be tolerated. Excused absences for illness, doctors’ appointments, and other coach approved absences are allowed. Please communicate known absences to the coach. Failure to comply with the attendance policy might lead to decreased playing time or other consequences, up to removal from the team.
No Cut Athletics
The majority of Woodlynde sports teams are no cut teams (with the exception of Varsity Golf). If multiple levels of teams are offered, try-outs will be conducted, and student-athletes will be placed on the team most appropriate to their skill level.
Player Contracts
Head coaches will distribute a player contract to their team at the beginning of the season. This contract will set expectations for the season as well as team rules. Parents will be asked to review the contract with their student, sign, and return it to the coach.
Inclement Weather Policy/Cancellations
If a sporting event needs to be cancelled or reschedule due to inclement weather, a decision will be made no later than 1PM and communication will be sent out via email.
If school is cancelled on the day of a sporting event, the sporting event will be cancelled or rescheduled.
Spectator Policies
Spectators must show respect towards all parties involved in a contest, including both teams, coaches, officials, other spectators, and the facilities. Spectators not behaving appropriately will be asked to leave the facility. Please be mindful to not interfere with the coaching during games by keeping a distance from team benches.
Transgender Student-Athlete Eligibility
In compliance with the PJAA Transgender Student-Athlete Eligibility Policy, student-athletes will be eligible to participate on sports teams in accordance with their gender identity irrespective of the gender listed on the student’s birth certificate or other student records. Once a transgender student-athlete is granted eligibility to participate in the sport consistent with their gender identity, eligibility is granted for the entirety of their high school career.
Athletic Training/Sports Medicine
Overview
Athletic Trainers are health care professionals who render service or treatment, under the direction of or in collaboration with a physician, in accordance with their education and training and the states’ statutes, rules and regulations. As a part of the health care team, services provided by athletic trainers include injury and illness prevention, wellness promotion and education, emergent care, examination and clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. Our athletic trainer is present at all home games; sport practices receive AT coverage based on contact level and injury risk.
Receiving Treatment
Individual appointments for student-athletes can be made for physical evaluations, therapeutic exercise sessions, injury consults, and patient education, Monday through Friday 1:00-2:30PM. Student-athletes should contact AT Pfautz (pfautz@woodlynde.org) for appointments.
Individual appointments for student-athletes can be made for physical evaluations, therapeutic exercise sessions, injury consults, and patient education, Monday through Friday 1:00-2:30PM. Student-athletes should contact AT Pfautz (pfautz@woodlynde.org) for appointments.
Game and practice equipment preparation and tapings occur from 2:30 to 3:30PM in the fall and spring sports seasons; from 2:30 to 3:00PM in the winter sports season.
IMPACT Concussion Testing
All Woodlynde Students will receive IMPACT Concussion Baseline testing in 5th, 8th, and 11th grade. Students who start at Woodlynde in 6th, 7th, 9th, 10th, and 12th grades will also be receive a baseline test. Baseline tests provide a documented assessment of students normative cognitive reasoning. Post Injury tests can be administered if a student is concussed or a concussion is suspected. IMPACT testing helps keeps student-athletes safe and speeds up the return to play process.
Special Events
Senior Day
During the final (or one of the final) home contests for each Varsity and JV team, seniors will be recognized for the participation and effort on the team. Coaches will make short speeches about each player and players will receive a flower and/or a small gift. Senior celebrations might also happen at the end of season celebrations.
End of Season Celebrations
After the conclusion of the season, teams will hold an end of season celebration. Food will either be delivered to school or teams will travel to a local restaurant. Some coaches may distribute awards or recaps of the season at this time.
Academic Eligibility
To be academically eligible to participate in athletics, student-athletes must be earning passing grades (above a 60%) in all core academic classes (History, Math, Science, English, and Foreign Language). Academic eligibility will be determined on Monday of each week and the student-athlete, parents/guardians, learning specialist, coaches, and academic dean will be notified if a student is ineligible. If a student is ineligible, they will not be eligible to participate in practices or competitions until they are earning a passing grade*. The Homework Assistant Program (HAP) is available after school from 3-5pm Monday through Thursday.
If a student has a failing grade for a quarter, but has a cumulative, yearly grade over 70%, they WILL be eligible for participation. If a student has a failing grade for a quarter, and has a cumulative grade under 70%, they will NOT be eligible for participation.
*If a student is earning a passing grade for a quarter but has a cumulative average that is failing/at risk of failing a semester or yearlong course, a determination of a student's eligibility will be made by the Academic Dean, Head of Upper School, and Director of Athletics.
If a student has a failing grade for a quarter, but has a cumulative, yearly grade over 70%, they WILL be eligible for participation. If a student has a failing grade for a quarter, and has a cumulative grade under 70%, they will NOT be eligible for participation.
*If a student is earning a passing grade for a quarter but has a cumulative average that is failing/at risk of failing a semester or yearlong course, a determination of a student's eligibility will be made by the Academic Dean, Head of Upper School, and Director of Athletics.
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Woodlynde School is a private, co-ed college prep day school located in suburban Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that serves intelligent, talented students with learning differences in grades K - 12. Woodlynde provides a comprehensive, evidence-based Kindergarten, elementary, middle and high school program in a challenging yet nurturing environment for students with average to above average cognitive abilities (IQ) who have language- or math-based learning differences (such as Dyslexia, Dysgraphia or Dyscalculia), Executive Function Challenges, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), or Auditory Processing Disorder. Even for those students without a diagnosed learning disability (LD), Woodlynde offers expert and caring teachers in small classroom settings that support academic success. Woodlynde School also offers a post-graduate (PG) program in partnership with Rosemont College as well as a regional Summer Camp for students who learn differently.
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