Coaching at Bayview Glen

At Bayview Glen, our coaches play a pivotal role in shaping student-athletes who exemplify resilience, teamwork, and leadership. In the reflections below, two long-time coaches share how Bayview Glen athletes bring our school values to life through resilience, teamwork, and leadership.

Sharing from Coach Andrew Vivian

At the heart of every school lies a set of core values that guide both the educational and social experiences of students. Compassion, courage, and curiosity form the pillars that support our mission to foster well-rounded individuals who are not only knowledgeable but also emotionally and socially conscious. One of the most powerful ways to nurture these values is through sports.

Compassion is about understanding and caring for others, and sports provide a natural environment for students to develop this quality. As athletes work together to achieve a common goal, they learn the value of supporting one another – whether through encouragement after a mistake or celebrating a teammate’s success.

Coaches have the unique opportunity to model compassion, teaching athletes how to be empathetic, patient, and understanding of each other’s struggles and triumphs. In a sports setting, athletes are often placed in situations where they must put the team’s needs ahead of their own, like a softball player being asked to play catcher when they really would prefer first base. This can be an experience that helps students understand the importance of collaboration and selflessness.

Courage is often perceived as the ability to face challenges despite fear, and sports provide endless opportunities for students to develop this virtue. Whether it’s overcoming the fear of failure, standing up after a tough loss, or pushing through physical exhaustion, students learn that courage is not the absence of fear but the determination to face it head-on. A coach’s role in cultivating courage is crucial; by creating a supportive environment where mistakes are seen as opportunities to grow, athletes are encouraged to take risks, step out of their comfort zones, and persevere through adversity. In swimming, learning the flip-turn can be very scary as the chance of hitting your head on the wall is very real. The courage to try something new instills resilience and a sense of accomplishment. Coaches, by offering guidance and positive reinforcement, help students develop the inner strength needed to overcome obstacles both physical and mental.

At first thought, curiosity doesn’t seem like a value that is obviously connected to sports. However, curiosity is more than just asking questions – it’s the desire to explore new ideas, discover unknown talents, and challenge one’s limits. Coaching sports encourages students to be curious about their abilities, strategies, and the nuances of the game or activity. In older students, sports can also spark curiosity about broader topics such as teamwork, psychology, and physiology. Students may wonder how teamwork influences performance or why certain training regimens are effective.

Coaching sports in school goes beyond teaching students how to win or improve their athletic performance. It is about shaping individuals who are curious, compassionate, and courageous. Through sports, students learn to ask questions, support one another, and face challenges with confidence and resolve.

Andrew Vivian has taught and coached at Bayview Glen for over 30 years. (Swimming, Softball, Hockey, Rugby, Cross-Country Running, Volleyball, and Soccer)

Sharing from Coach Kristin Carpenter

The athletics programme is one of the many aspects at Bayview Glen that sets us apart. I have been coaching at the school for many years and over this time I have had the privilege of working with hundreds of student athletes. Throughout this, I have come to realize that our athletes truly embody our core values. These values show up in how our athletes train, compete, and treat each other.

One thing that stands out immediately to me is resilience. I coach cross country running and track and field – sports that demand a lot. There is no quick path to success in these sports, just a lot of early mornings, tough workouts, and learning to show up, rain or shine. Whether it is muddy trails in October or a beating sun on the track in June, our athletes put their heads down and get it done. They take ownership of their goals, and they understand that real growth comes from a consistent work ethic.

Even though running and throwing and jumping are often seen as individual sports, as seen in all Gryphons sports, teamwork plays a huge role in what we do. I have seen athletes pace each other through tough workouts, cheer louder for their peers than for themselves, and put a teammate’s success ahead of their own. That kind of support, compassion, and selflessness says a lot about who they are as individuals. Integrity is another core value that comes across in every practice. Our athletes don’t cut corners. They show up, put in the work and hold each other accountable. In competition, they show respect for the sport, their competitors, and for themselves. And no matter the outcome, Bayview Glen Gryphons carry themselves with pride and humility, and are often recognized by other schools for the spirit and respect that they consistently display.

Bayview Glen is a busy place and many of our students have a lot on their plates – academics, clubs, music, leadership roles, and athletics. Our students work hard to maintain balance and manage to make it to early practices and late games. It’s not always easy but they learn to make it all work and to ask for help when they need it. Through athletics, our Gryphons learn how to manage their time, look after themselves, and stay grounded. These life skills are things they can take forward and will stick with them well beyond their years at Bayview Glen.

After all these years, what keeps me motivated and engaged with coaching is our students. They are not just athletes, they are kind, thoughtful, and driven. Watching them grow – not just as athletes but as individuals – is one of the most rewarding parts of being a coach. More than just talk, Gryphon Athletics put our values into action ever day!