Gallery • 8 Photos

volleyball photos by Nick Perry; basketball photos by Quintin Clark

Mr. Parker Whitehouse at the volleyball net as Mr. Chris Luken moves in.

Basketball, volleyball, Frisbee, bowling, Ping Pong. Students love playing against each other. Students also love playing against older competition. That’s where teams of adults called Old School come in.

Co-moderator of intramural basketball Mr. Mike Chancellor and the moderator of intramural volleyball, Mrs. Mary Mason, spoke about the Old School teams — basketball and volleyball — that play in the leagues.

Chancellor, a 1975 Trinity alumnus, said that when he was a student, he was on one of the first teams to play against an Old School team.  Back then Old School teams only played one game a year.  

Now they play games against all 10 Houses.  “The faculty members just do it for good exercise, and it’s a good way to blow off steam,” said Chancellor, who referees the basketball games.

Mason, who plays on the Old School volleyball team, has a good deal of experience in the sport.  When she was at the University of Louisville, she played on the varsity team.  Does her experience give Mason an advantage? She said, “Well I’m old and can’t move my feet as well and can’t lay out for digs anymore.”

Others disagree, saying Mason brings the Old School volleyball team to life and keeps it alive.

Of playing against students, teacher Mr. Josh Kusch, who currently plays for the Old School basketball team, said, “It’s fun to play against my former students. It gives the students a chance to see the teachers in a different light.”

Kusch said he doesn’t play much basketball outside of school (a little surprising because many say he’s really good).  He said he used to play a lot of pickup basketball as a kid.

While some teachers have the urge to take it easy on students, Kusch said, “I treat the games like any other game I play.  Sometimes the games get scrappy, but that’s how the game is played.”

Junior Daniel Bird, an Old School opponent, said, “The game meant a little more because it was the one time that you beat them in something you had control over and could push them around a little.  Also, you really have to be alert at all times because they don’t mess around.”

Old School volleyball team member Mr. Keith Wiedmar, who has some experience with the sport by playing in a church league, said, “The competition at this stage is good for me because it isn’t very competitive, but you get good exercise. Playing with the other faculty members is fun because seeing them outside of the classroom is a cool experience — and playing with them is even more entertaining.”