News & Events

Norfolk Academy formally kicked off its athletics year on August 26, holding orientation meetings for parents and student-athletes in all three seasons. The goal was two-fold: Get everyone excited for the year ahead while making clear the goals and expectations of the athletics department.

NA has enjoyed a great deal of success in all areas recently:

• 15 TCIS conference championships in 2025-26
• Currently 75 graduates playing athletics in college
• 70 teacher-coaches leading athletics teams
• A revamped Athletic Performance Center used throughout the year

The Bulldogs are primed to continue that success, thanks to the dedication of both teacher-coaches and student-athletes. However, as both Head of School Travis Larrabee and Athletics Director Chad Byler said, the program judges success in other ways.

Pursuing excellence matters, Larrabee said. NA wants teams testing themselves. That allows them to learn and grow, whether they win or lose. He called on student-athletes to accept coaching, learn to handle both success and disappointment, and to foster a sense of belonging on all teams. 

“Athletics gives our students an opportunity to work toward something difficult," Larrabee said. “To respond when something does not go their way. To lead. To follow. To sacrifice for others. And to be part of something larger than themselves."

Byler opened by noting that nationally, youth sports face certain challenges: Trouble finding officials; coaches burning out; and athletes overusing energy drinks among them. He asked parents not to yell at officials, to remind their children of how unhealthy energy drinks are, and to tell their children to put phones away at night so they can get a good night rest.

He also encouraged playing multiple sports, a trademark theme at Norfolk Academy. The school encourages athletes to play two or three sports at a time when specialization is prevalent nationally. 

“At the end of the day our success will never be defined solely by our championships, our trophies, or all those banners hanging on the walls," Byler said. “Those things matter and we should be proud of them. But our greatest impact is what happens beyond the scoreboard. It's when our athletes leave us better teammates, better leaders, and better people because of the experiences they've had in our athletic program. The wins will eventually fade but the lessons and relationships and character will build them for a lifetime."