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 In addition to the standard curriculum of physical education that is part of every student's day at the Episcopal School, extracurricular athletics and team sports are available for their participation. An average 92 percent of students play sports at The Episcopal School.
The Episcopal School of Knoxville is a member of The Knoxville Independent School League (KISL). The Episcopal School Saints participate competitively in seven sports with other local independent schools. Our Athletic Director oversees all Athletic Programs and Team Coaches at Episcopal. As an officer of the KISL, he is actively involved in promoting sports at ESK as well as in the league. Our athletic program is busy throughout the year. Team coaches work with our student athletes to promote excellence in teamwork, good sportsmanship, and athletic ability. As new portions of campus are completed and as the student population grows, ESK looks forward to providing additional athletic programs and facilities every year.
Mission
The mission of The Episcopal School of Knoxville sports program is to promote good sportsmanship in a competitive environment. Our athletic program strives to teach discipline, commitment, and teamwork while promoting physical activity as a way of life.
Right to Play Philosophy
Episcopal is proud to support the "Right to Play" philosophy giving every student the chance to participate in interscholastic athletics. The Athletic Director and other school leaders developed and adopted this philosophy as a core part of our Episcopal school values. Prior to each season, every student has the opportunity to sign up to play on our athletic teams. Amazingly, approximately 92% of our students take advantage of our athletic programs. We enthusiastically support all of our students in their athletic endeavors as part of our Saints Athletic program.
Facilities
The Bishop Center gymnasium houses two Volleyball courts as well as a full basketball court and hosts Volleyball matches and Girls' and Boys' Basketball games each year. In 2003, we hosted the Volleyball Championships as well as the Boy's Junior Varsity Basketball Championships for the KISL. Our beautiful 78-acre campus is also the home to one of the most challenging Cross Country Courses in the league. Each year we host over 600 runners from all Knox, Anderson, and Blount County Middle Schools for what has become known as one of the toughest meets in the area. In April of 2006, we opened our new soccer field for league play.
Currently, students may participate in the following team and individual sports programs:
Boy's Flag Football
ESK's first football game took place in September 2001. Boys in grades 6th - 8th may participate in The Saints football team. Practices begin in August. The football game season runs from September through October. The Saints play an average of six games a season, playing against other independent schools in the Knoxville Independent School League (KISL).
Co-ed Track and Field
Boys and girls in grades 6th - 8th may participate in the Saints track team. Practices begin in March. The track season runs from March through May. The Saints compete in an average of three meets a season with other participating independent and public schools in the area.
Co-ed Cross Country
Boys and girls in 6th - 8th grades may participate in the Saints Cross Country team. The Saints participate in the Knoxville Track Club's Youth Athletics Program which invites middle school runners from public and independent schools throughout the surrounding counties. Practices begin in late August, and the season runs from September through early October. The Saints compete in five Tuesday evening meets per season, one of which is hosted by ESK. A championship meet concludes the season in early October. An additional championship meet is held for the Knoxville Independent School League.
Co-ed Soccer
Soccer was the first team sport to be offered by the Episcopal School. Since 1999, the Saints soccer team has offered heady competition to the participating independent schools. Boys and girls grades 5th - 8th may participate in the Saints Soccer team. Practices begin in February. The Soccer season runs from March through May. The Saints compete in an average of 7 games a season, followed by a league tournament.
Girl's Volleyball
The Saints Volleyball teams participate in the KISL every fall. Under the leadership of our two full-time coaches, our teams begin practice in August with the season running in September and October. Matches are held on Mondays and Thursdays. We have two teams that allow all students who wish to play to participate. The focus of our volleyball program is on teamwork, leadership, and skills development.
Boys' and Girls' Basketball
Episcopal has both Boys' and Girls' Basketball teams each with separate coaching staffs. Our athletes begin practice in October and will participate in the KISL basketball season from November through January. Boys and girls grades 5th - 8th may participate in the Saints Soccer team. The season concludes with the KISL Basketball tournament held in late January.
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