Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School is widely recognized for its superb academics. What is less well known is the fine athletic program the Governor’s School offers. We have an outstanding coaching staff and award-winning athletes.
Jim Holdren and Paige Hawkins are Co- Athletic Directors. Coach Holdren, who coaches track and cross country, was inducted into the Virginia High School Hall of Fame in 1993 and the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2006. He was the 2007 Girls’ Track and Field Coach of the Year. Coach Hawkins was the Colonial District Field Hockey Coach of the Year in 2009 for the fourth straight year and was 2009 Central Region Field Hockey Coach of the Year.
In 2009, Maggie Walker Field Hockey was the regular season champion. The Boys’ and Girls’ Swim teams were 2009 Central Region Champions. Our track and cross country teams consistently win district, regional and state honors.
What makes our athletic program exceptional is the fact that 60 to 70 percent of our students participate in athletics. This level of interest is the reason we are able to field 22 varsity teams and almost as many JV teams with only 714 students.
The Athletic Boosters plays a critical supporting role to our athletes’ success. Donations to the Athletic Boosters allow us to help cover the costs of uniforms, equipment, team travel, off-site facility usage and capital improvements. High schools typically depend on football ticket sales to support their athletic program. Because Maggie Walker does not have a football team, our athletic program depends on the Athletic Boosters to fill in the gap between program needs and the athletic department budget. At most high schools, booster clubs provide supplemental support and extras for school athletic programs. At Maggie Walker, the Athletic Boosters provides a significant portion of the general athletic operating budget, without which the program would not exist. Each year we’ve been able to contribute $36,000 to athletics due to the generosity of our parents. In the words of Coach Holdren, “There wouldn’t be an athletic program without the Athletic Boosters.”
The Athletic Boosters is a wonderful way for parents to make a contribution to the school, whether in the form of a donation or volunteering time and energy. We welcome parent participation. The Athletic Boosters meets the second Thursday of every month at
Barbara Reese
President - Maggie Walker Athletics Booster Club