Athletics
A legacy of Strength, a future in motion
For more than 140 years, generations of student athletes have been shaped by the athletic program at Shady Side—instilling resilience, teamwork, and the drive to excel. From the earliest days of the Academy, when competition was central to an all-boys education, to the pivotal introduction of girls’ sports with coeducation in the 1970s, our program has continually evolved—expanding opportunities and strengthening our community.
Through every era, athletics at Shady Side has meant more than just competition—it's been a proving ground for character, leadership, and lifelong well-being. Rivalries have been fierce and championships hard-fought. Today, with over 60 teams across three seasons and three divisions, state-of-the-art facilities, and dedicated coaches, our program remains one of the most robust in the region.
Coming Up This Week
Sewickley Academy
Apollo Ridge High School
Western Reserve Academy
SSA Senior School Middle Field
OPEN
SSA Farrell Stadium
West Field-Steel Valley
SSA Killian Cavanaugh Memorial Baseball Field
SSA Farrell Stadium
SSA Farrell Stadium
TBD
OPEN
SSA Killian Cavanaugh Memorial Baseball Field
Pine Park
Brentwood Park
SSA Senior School Middle Field
SSA Killian Cavanaugh Memorial Baseball Field
SSA Farrell Stadium
SSA Farrell Stadium
North Hills High School
North Hills High School
Seneca Valley
Seneca Valley
South Allegheny High School
SSA Farrell Stadium
Deer Lakes High School
Shaler Area Elementary School
SSA Killian Cavanaugh Memorial Baseball Field
SSA Farrell Stadium
South Allegheny High School
SSA Farrell Stadium
WhyAthletics MatterinToday's World.
Athletics at Shady Side are integral to preparing students for life beyond our campuses, fostering adaptability and leadership. Through sports, students develop confidence, critical thinking under pressure, and teamwork skills essential for achieving shared goals.
Alyssa Z.
Read Alyssa's Story
about Alyssa Z.
Shady Side’s athletic teams compete in facilities that are almost as impressive as they are. What does that look like? Immaculately maintained turf fields that set the stage for every game. A state-of-the-art ice rink, an expansive field house with pool and squash courts, and top-tier fitness spaces. More than 130 acres, 10 tennis courts, and access to some of the region’s best competition. Having home-field advantage at SSA means competing in an environment built for champions.
Beginning in Middle School and continuing through Senior School, athletics are embedded in the curriculum and school day, ensuring all students benefit from physical activity, structured competition, and camaraderie. This approach cultivates school spirit while reinforcing lifelong habits of health and personal growth.
Bulldogs in the News
For the third straight season, Shady Side Academy girls basketball head coach Jonna Burke has been named WPIAL Class 3A Coach of the Year by the "TribLive High School Sports Network."
The Shady Side Academy Girls Varsity Squash team made history this season, reaching new heights with standout performances, key individual achievements, and a strong sense of camaraderie.
Congratulations to Shady Side Academy sophomore Ava J. for attaining USA Swimming 2023-2024 Scholastic All-American. To be recognized, the athlete must maintain a minimum 3.5 grade-point average (unweighted) and meet certain competition criteria during the academic school year.
For the second straight year, the Shady Side Academy Girls Varsity Basketball team is headed to the WPIAL Championship—and they’re looking to bring home another title.
The Shady Side Academy girls 4x800 relay team is making history. At the SPIRE Scholastic Showcase, juniors Rhyley B., Sarah K. and Ella V. N., along with sophomore Charlotte B., shattered the indoor school record with a remarkable time of 9:45.56—good for a second-place finish at the meet. Their time is currently the fastest in the WPIAL across all classifications and ranks seventh in Pennsylvania, marking them as one of the top relay squads in the state.
Shady Side Academy recently announced the appointment of alumnus Andrew Geisler ’12 as the new head coach of the Varsity Football team. A seasoned collegiate coach with a passion for mentoring student-athletes, Geisler brings extensive experience and a deep connection to his alma mater.
Shady Side Academy is taking an exciting step forward in the evolution of girls’ ice hockey. After a year of strategic research and planning, the Girls’ Hockey Performance Program will launch in the 2025–26 school year, offering a new model that prioritizes elite development while preserving the exceptional academic experience that defines SSA.
Shady Side Academy junior Karis T. reached a remarkable milestone, scoring her 1,000th career point during a hard-fought game against Berlin Brothersvalley. The standout point guard, now in her third year on the Bulldogs’ Girls Basketball team, made program history while leading her team to victory.
Shady Side Academy’s Fall 2024 athletics season was marked by impressive achievements. The Girls Golf and Field Hockey teams won WPIAL championships, while Boys and Girls Cross Country, Girls Tennis, and Boys Golf advanced athletes to the PIAA championships. Boys Soccer earned a playoff upset, and Girls Soccer, Tennis, and Volleyball players received postseason honors.
Shady Side Academy’s Field Hockey team has once again claimed victory, winning the WPIAL Class 1A championship on Saturday, November 2, at Washington & Jefferson College. This marks the Bulldogs’ 21st WPIAL title, bringing them just one championship shy of the all-time league record.
Shady Side Academy’s Lower Schools cross country program continues to thrive, offering students in grades 2-5 from both the Junior School and Country Day School the chance to develop physical and mental strength. With over 76 runners participating this season, the program has become a key part of Shady Side’s athletic offerings for younger students.
Shady Side Academy’s Girls Golf team triumphed at the 2024 WPIAL Girls Golf Team Championships, claiming their fourth WPIAL title in school history and first since 2011. The Bulldogs ended Greensburg Central Catholic’s nine-year reign in Class 2A with an impressive team score of 387 (+103), securing victory by 12 strokes at the Cedarbrook Red Golf Course on October 10.
Shady Side Academy freshman Alyssa Z. delivered a remarkable performance at the 2024 WPIAL Girls Golf Individual Championships, making up an eight-stroke deficit to claim the Class 2A title. Alyssa’s victory, which took place at Butler Country Club on October 1, marks her as the second WPIAL Girls' Golf individual champion in Shady Side Academy history.
Shady Side Academy sophomore Meriwether M. has once again proven herself a force in WPIAL girls tennis, successfully defending her Class 3A title at the 2024 WPIAL Girls Tennis Singles Championships.
Shady Side Academy is thrilled to announce a transformative partnership with LEG1ON Training & Performance to offer on-campus training and performance services beginning in the fall 2024 athletics season. This collaboration is set to significantly enhance our athletic programs, providing student-athletes with top-tier resources to achieve their individual and team goals.
We recognize that movement and teamwork take many forms, extending beyond traditional athletics. At the Senior School, students can fulfill their athletics requirement by participating in the winter musical, where physical expression and ensemble work mirror the discipline of sport, or by joining the WSSA sports broadcast team, where collaboration and performance under pressure cultivate the same skills honed on the field. By embracing a broad definition of athletic engagement, we ensure that every student finds a meaningful way to develop resilience and a spirit of teamwork.
Lower Schools
Students build confidence and coordination through movement and play, laying the foundation for lifelong physical activity.
Middle School
Student-athletes develop resilience, teamwork, and leadership as they sharpen their skills and embrace new challenges.
Senior School
Athletes push their limits, balancing high-level competition with personal growth. They refine their skills, embrace discipline, and lead with character.
The Team Behind the Teams

Sean Simmons
Director of Athletics

Dave Vadnais P'27,'34
Assistant Athletic Director

Andrew Geisler
Assistant Athletic Director

Erika Cooper P'25,'28
Athletics Administrative Assistant

Joel DeBaldo
Athletics Equipment Manager
Lauren Germanowski
Athletic Trainer (AHN)
Brynn Mahoney
Assistant Athletic Trainer
Vale Woodard
Athletic Trainer (AHN)
Quick Facts
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sports
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coaches
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