Athletics

Frederick Gunn was a champion of the arts, athletics and the natural world. He established the school’s first athletic teams and encouraged his students to participate in sports based on his conviction that they “strengthened not merely muscle and nerve, but character as well.” 

Today, The Frederick Gunn School’s athletic and co-curricular programs continue to be guided by Mr. Gunn’s philosophy. With 35 teams competing in 15 sports, you also have the chance to take your skills to a new level or try something completely new.

  • Students are required to participate in a co-curricular activity every term.

  • Beyond this, students are required to participate in a minimum of two (2) terms of an interscholastic athletic team in their first year, and a minimum of one (1) term in each successive year.

  • Students who have a demonstrated interest outside of interscholastic athletics have the opportunity to create an alternate route to the above policy. Specifically, students may propose to replace one term of interscholastic athletics in their first year with a non-athletic program or project (see Music, Theatre, Visual Arts).

  • All returning students must participate in at least one interscholastic sport.

  • Crew
  • Volleyball (girls)
  • Cross Country Running
  • Soccer
  • Field Hockey (Girls)
  • American Football (Boys)

Athletics at Gunn had a direct impact on who I am today. The two years I spent [at school] taught me crucial skills like discipline, leadership, and respect, which allowed me to physically and emotionally mature.  Because of what FGS taught me between academics and sports, I learned how to be an effective leader, but also how to be the best teammate I can be. Being surrounded by very competitive but motivated coaches and teammates also pushed me to reach academic and athletic goals that didn’t seem attainable to me before I came to FGS.

The skills that I learned didn’t just help me during my time at Gunn, but they have fostered an attitude that was necessary when I transitioned into my first year of playing college [athletics]. Thanks to [my coaches] and my teammates throughout my time at Gunn, I was more than prepared to step into college.

Morgan Wells '17

Athletics News

Class of 1959 with Steve Bent Alumni Weekend June 2024
Remembering Trustee Emeritus Steve Bent ’59

The Gunn community is saddened by the news that Trustee Emeritus Steve Bent ’59, who served on the Board of Trustees for nearly 20 years and was a loyal friend and supporter of the school, died in a tragic accident on July 11. 
 

The Marich Family at Baccalaureate in 2024
At Baccalaureate, Highlanders Encouraged to Work Hard, Be Curious, Take Risks, and Come Back Home

On May 21, the Gunn community gathered at the First Congregational Church of Washington for Baccalaureate, a solemn service that began a weeklong celebration of and collective reflection on the Class of 2024. Athletic Director Mike Marich P’23 ’24 delivered this year’s Baccalaureate Address and helped to compose the service, selecting readings from Wallace Stegner’s 1987 novel, Crossing to Safety, and the Bible, including The Beatitudes and Salt and Light from the Book of Matthew, as well as the poem, “Dreams” by Langston Hughes. 
 

Athletic Awards large group photo 2024
Outstanding Performances Celebrated at Athletic Banquet

Outstanding performances in the Gunn Athletics program during the 2023-24 school year were celebrated along with this year’s team captains and three-sport athletes at the annual Athletic Banquet, held May 22, 2024 in the Thomas S. Perakos Arts and Community Center. Among this year’s highlights: Boys Varsity Lacrosse won the Colonial Cup Tournament Final on May 18, beating Pomfret 13-4 at home, and scoring the final point to win the Gunn-Canterbury Cup. 
 

Girls Varsity Rowing
64th Annual Founders Day Regatta set for May 5 at Lake Waramaug

The Frederick Gunn School will host the 64th annual Founders Day Regatta at Lake Waramaug on Sunday, May 5, 2024. Morning heats will begin at 9 a.m., with the last morning race at 11:15 a.m. Racing will resume at 12:15 p.m. following lunch, and will conclude by 2 p.m. Alumni, current students, families, faculty, and friends are welcome to cheer on Gunn Rowing at the finish line, located at Lake Waramaug State Park in Kent. 
 

Boys Varsity Hockey 2024 NEPSAC Quarterfinal win
Boys Varsity Hockey Advances to NEPSAC Semifinal on March 2

Gunn will face #1 seed The Rivers School in the 2024 NEPSAC Boys Ice Hockey Tournament Semifinals this Saturday, March 2, at 2 p.m. at The Rivers School in Weston, Massachusetts.

To catch the Highlanders in action, view the Live Stream here.

The winners of Saturday's semifinal matchups will advance to the New England Championship Finals, which will be played on Sunday, March 3, at noon at Harvard University.
 

Girls Varsity Ice Hockey vs. Millbrook 23-24
Boys and Girls Varsity Hockey in NEPSAC Tournament Doubleheader at Home

The Frederick Gunn School Boys and Girls Varsity Ice Hockey teams are headed to the 2024 NEPSAC Tournament. Both teams will play in their respective New England Quarterfinal games at home in a doubleheader at Linen Rink on Wednesday, February 28.  

Boys Varsity Hockey, the #4 seed, will play #5 seed Groton School at 3:30 p.m. 
Girls Varsity Hockey, the #3 seed, will face #5 seed The Rivers School at 6:15 p.m.

Both home games may be viewed via the Live Stream from Linen Rink.
 

Tony Rogers '61 in 1974
Remembering Andrew Y. Rogers, Jr., ’61 P’87

The Frederick Gunn School community is saddened by the news that Former Trustee Andrew “Tony” Y. Rogers, Jr. ’61 P’87 passed away on January 24, 2024, at his home in Florham Park, New Jersey. A much-loved and dedicated alumnus, Tony served two terms as President of the Alumni Association, from 1974 to 1977, and was a member of the Board of Trustees from 1974-1976.
 

Sean Stellato '97 and Tommy DeVito on BarstoolSports
Sean Stellato ’97 Talks About Grit and Resiliency, and “Breaking the Internet”

When Tommy DeVito engineered a last-minute drive to lead the New York Giants to victory over the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football, he catapulted from local legend to national feel-good story of the year. The undrafted free agent — and as recently as early November, third-string quarterback — best known for living with his parents in the house where he grew up, 12 minutes from MetLife Stadium, secured his third consecutive win in his five-game NFL career. And with that, “Tommy Cutlets” was poised to become the biggest story in the NFL not named Taylor. 

Except …
 

Santana Sinvilcin '24 and family
Santana Sinvilcin ’24 Scores 1,000th Point in Gunn Basketball

Santana Sinvilcin ’24 scored five of eight from the three-point line in the Boys Varsity Basketball game at home against King School on December 13. But it was his first three-pointer of the night that mattered the most. About two minutes into the game, Sinvilcin came down the court and positioned himself in his favorite shooting spot, just outside of the three-point line. Jack Guevara ’24 passed him the ball and Sinvilcin floated it up for three – scoring his 1,000th point for Gunn.