With many of Deerfield Academy’s faculty living on campus in dorms or in houses along Old Main Street, their lives are connected to Deerfield in a more unique way than just coaching a team or teaching a class. Due to this close proximity, faculty children are often affected by teams or other groups on campus.
Some of the more popular teams on campus, such as Girls Varsity Soccer or varsity Volleyball often interact with faculty children. According to Alex Hermsdorf ’25, a member of the Girls Varsity soccer team, “Ms. Boudway’s daughter, Uma, sometimes comes out to watch practice.” When asked about the effect a faculty kid has on a team, Hermsdorf says, “It definitely makes us act more grown-up. When you know these faculty kids look up to you, it brings out the best in you.”
While these larger teams have the most interaction with children around Deerfield, some of the smaller teams get to spend just as much time with faculty children. These teams, such as the Boys Junior A soccer team, get to spend lots of time with faculty kids. Or, in this case, a child. Head of the history department Brian Hamilton and one of the coaches of the Junior A soccer team have firsthand experience in the effect teams have on faculty children.
Mr. Hamilton’s son, William, can often be spotted at practices or games. William can be seen helping with picking up balls and helping his father coach during practice, and has even hit the road with the Junior A squad in some away games. When asked about Willy’s presence on the soccer team, Mr. Hamilton says, “When we got here, Covid made it challenging to make those connections. But I remember last fall, Willy came down to watch a thirds game decked-out in Deerfield gear, and I remember that was the day I really felt the neighborhood feel here.” And when asked about the impact Deerfield students have had on Willy, Mr. Hamilton says, “Interacting with young children seems to bring out the best in Deerfield students.”
There is no doubt that the Junior A boys feel a bit of responsibility for Willy and how he sees the team. When asked about how Willy’s presence affects the team, Shogo O’Connor ’25 says, “We definitely feel a little responsible for Willy. When he shows up to practice, we all sort of make an effort to be our best selves and show Willy how Deerfield students act. We know that students can have a big impact on how faculty children see Deerfield, and we all want Willy to have a positive view of Deerfield.
These bonds, such as the one between Willy and the boys Junior A soccer team is what makes Deerfield unique. Where else could a faculty member’s child form such a close-knit bond with a smaller team? This sense of community, between faculty and students, is what makes Deerfield such a great school and likely a contributing factor to its appeal to students across the globe.