The Thrill of Victory...

and the agony of defeat was experienced this past Tuesday night by the Brookfield Academy football team and their many fans. In a game that was talked about in newspapers, on radio stations, and in sports blogs across southeast Wisconsin, the overwhelming underdog Blue Knight football team matched up with Racine Lutheran in the first round of the WIAA state playoffs. The Blue Knights fought its way back a number of times and eventually took the lead with a little over one minute left in the game, only to lose 35-34 on a last play blocked punt that was recovered in the end zone.

Athletic events come and go, but this particular game will live in athletic infamy at Brookfield Academy not because of the final score, but because of the heart and determination exhibited by the football team. Unequivocally, the spectators who witnessed that game were privileged to be part of something special, made so by the gritty effort demonstrated by a bunch of young kids. It was an amazing game and one that truly symbolized all that is good in athletics.

Extracurriculars, whether it be athletics, theater or clubs, provide a great deal of joy, excitement, and sometimes disappointment to the BA community. None of these emotions would be possible without the commitment of the students. Toiling in relative anonymity, the students attend practice after practice in order to prepare to perform for the benefit of others. The BA community becomes the joyous recipient of their effort.

To all the Lower, Middle and Upper Schools students who augment their core academic experience with extracurricular participation, the BA community salutes you. While the final score may not always fall BA's way, thanks to your dedication and drive, BA is always in the game.

Homecoming Festivities

Before over 1,000 football fans, the Brookfield Academy Blue Knights defeated conference rival Lake Country Lutheran 21-17 in the homecoming football game. The victory propelled the Blue Knights into first place in the Midwest Classic Conference and culminated a night of homecoming fun and spirit rarely seen on the Academy campus. Beginning with Upper School service activities and a homecoming pep assembly, the day included a number of sporting events prior to the football game, including victories by the school's field hockey, soccer and volleyball team. Of course, the annual chili tailgate party served as the backdrop to most of the events. Homecoming attendees were able to watch the events on a full stomach!

Homecoming this year also marked the opening of the team room project. Under construction since June, the 2500 square foot addition to the concession stand features home and visiting locker rooms, coaches offices, officials rooms, and plenty of storage. The locker rooms will eventually serve as the official home of the football team, allowing them to vacate the cramped locker room that currently serves them. Thanks to the generosity of the 2007 Dinner Auction, over $325,00 was raised to help pay for the locker rooms.

Of course, no homecoming weekend is complete without the annual Five Star Run. Under bright blue skies, the gun sounded at 12 noon signaling the start of the race and over 250 runners, walkers, gifted dogs, and strollers undertook either a 5k or a one mile challenge. This marks the 28th year the Five Star Run has been held and people are already training for number 29.

Whether it was at the Friday night football game or Saturday's Five Star Run it was great to see many alums returning to campus as well. It was truly a special week for Brookfield Academy and one that spotlighted growing school spirit.

Grandparents Rock

On an absolutely perfect fall day, Brookfield Academy welcomed over 450 grandparents from around the world to its campus for the annual Grandparents Day celebration. This year's Grandparents Day theme was "Grandparents Rock" and each grandparent was given a small rock from the new Patriots Hall building site.

This year's "rockingest" grandparents were honorary Grandparents Day chairs Dr. John and Mrs. Lois Mclario. Long-time supporters and grandparents to ten BA students, the Mclarios still have grandkids in all three divisions. However, the Mclarios are way behind in the grandkid game as it was discovered this year that one of BA's grandparents has 42 grand kids!

The day began with grandparents assembling in the gym for breakfast and student presentations. Grandparent Mary York presented an update on the Patriots Hall building project and the following are some excerpts from her speech.

"GRANDPARENTS ROCK!!!! is the theme of this Grandparent’s Day…and we do rock. Now, I am not sure we rock like Elvis or the Beatles did, or that we sit and rock in rocking chairs but….we sure do rock in many significant ways! "

"Last year you all received a letter from me telling you about our capital campaign, Soar with the Stars, and asking you to join us and to contribute. I am pleased to say, to date we have raised 11.5 M, only $500,000 short of our goal. This is the largest amount ever raised by this school and we are extremely proud of the support received. However, we are still 500,000 short of our goal. Some of you have given and given generously. I am asking you, as we ask our students, to dig a little deeper, to try a little harder, to reach for the stars, and to help us raise the last $500,000. This will benefit all of our grandchildren."

"The Soar with the Stars has been a monumental undertaking. We have received wonderful support…hundreds have worked on the campaign, 100% of the faculty has given (unusual for any school) as well as many many donors for which we are grateful…..but we still need that last $500,000. I am hopeful, as you head off to watch and enjoy your grandchildren this morning, you will consider joining our campaign and help us finish the job we started. You have been the rocks of your family and we need you to be the rocks of BA. Please consider adding to the rocks that will build for the future of your grandchild’s education."

After Mary's presentation, the grandparents were entertained by Lower School poems and songs, and then by the Middle and Upper School chorus'.

After the formal assembly, the real action began. Transported by an army of BA golf carts, the grandparents descended upon their grandchild's classroom for fun and learning. Thankful to have survived the ride, grandparents got a small glimpse of life as a BA student. Indeed, a visit from grandma or grandpa is the highlight of the day for the students.

Grandparents Day is one of BA's best days. Nothing goes wrong when grandma and grandpa are on campus...unless, of course, "grandma gets run over by a golf cart." Fortunately that did not happen this year, thus ensuring a great Grandparents Day at BA.

Take a look at some scenes from BA's Grandparents Day 2008 by clicking on the video below.