At StoneBridge School, athletics is more than a program—it’s a proving ground for faith in Christ. Every practice, every game, and every huddle becomes an opportunity to glorify God through discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. Victory, at StoneBridge, isn’t measured in points—it’s measured in character.
Athletics at StoneBridge is built upon five key principles—principles that reflect the same Christ-centered excellence and character formation that lead families to reenroll year after year:
- Character through Conduct.
- Perseverance through Adversity.
- Unity through Teamwork.
- Commitment through Discipline.
- Competing to Win.
These guiding truths remind every athlete that success is not found merely in the final score, but in the posture of the heart—honoring Christ through every action, emotion, and effort.
Character through Conduct
At the heart of StoneBridge athletics is the conviction that conduct reveals character. The Athletic Handbook puts it clearly: “Christ-like character is the goal of Christian education in the home, the church, the classroom, and the arenas of competition.” Here, every athlete is coached not only to perform, but to represent Christ through their words, attitudes, and effort. They learn that the way they treat a referee, respond to a mistake, or encourage a teammate is just as important as any scoreboard result.
Tyler Thompson, Class of 2025, experienced this firsthand.
“I’ve been able to develop different leadership skills, on and off the court. I’ve been able to learn from the examples my coaches set, and just follow in their footsteps, and it’s been a really great experience overall,” he said.
For Brooke (Thompson) Wells, Class of 2022, the lessons of integrity and accountability have endured long after her time as a Cavalier.
“The biggest focus is Christ being at the center because character matters,” she said. “There is a lot of accountability in StoneBridge sports, which allowed me to develop strong Christian character in areas that aren’t always seen.”
These moments—quiet, unseen, and often difficult—are where true character is forged.
Perseverance through Adversity
The adversity created in sports is not an interruption to growth—it’s the force that shapes it. At StoneBridge, athletes are taught that challenge is the very place where Christ refines the heart. When the season feels long, when the scoreboard doesn’t reflect the effort, or when injuries test resolve, students are reminded that perseverance produces faith and maturity.
SBS alumna Hope Frost, Class of 2021, signed to run for Duke University her senior year and more recently signed with the Arizona State University triathlon team as she pursues her masters degree in sports journalism. She reflected on how the lessons she learned in the athletics program strengthened her beyond her years at the school.
“More than anything, StoneBridge athletics shaped me into a strong Christian leader by building my character. Athletics requires diligence, determination, integrity, and discipline—character traits that I developed during my time as a StoneBridge athlete and ones that are essential in the life of a Christian leader,” she said.
Through each hardship, athletes learn that their response—to keep going, to trust, and to lead with grace—is an act of worship.
Unity through Teamwork
The StoneBridge athletic community takes its cue from Philippians 1:27–28: “Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ… standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.” Every team, regardless of sport or season, seeks to model this picture of unity. Athletes are taught that success depends not only on individual skill but on shared purpose and humility.
For Nattie Plumlee, Class of 2025, that lesson became deeply personal during her years playing on the StoneBridge volleyball team.
“Playing a sport at StoneBridge taught me how to be selfless as I work with others toward a common goal. It also helped me develop leadership skills by motivating my teammates in a manner that calls them to reach their fullest potential in Christ,” she said.
Class of 2024’s Dominic Morisi echoed that same spirit of community and accountability while participating in StoneBridge sports like soccer and basketball.
“StoneBridge sports improved my Christian character through the accountability and brotherhood reflected through my teammates. This also helped me to take on the role of a leader and grow in my understanding of what it means to reflect Christ in my everyday life.”
On and off the field or court, students discover that unity in Christ is both the foundation of teamwork and the fruit of it.
Commitment through Discipline
Excellence requires more than talent—it requires daily discipline. At StoneBridge, discipline is seen not as a burden, but as a spiritual practice that develops self-control, patience, and endurance.
Athletes are trained to show up early, to listen well, to work hard, and to persevere when motivation runs thin. In doing so, they discover that discipline in athletics mirrors discipline in faith.
Rhys Greer, Class of 2024, shared how this mindset shaped his leadership: “StoneBridge Athletics taught me to be patient with others as a leader and to always choose to encourage rather than criticize others.”
For Rachel Wingfield, Class of 2020, years in the volleyball program instilled lessons that reach far beyond the court.
“Playing volleyball at StoneBridge was one of the best experiences I’ve had. My coaches and teammates helped me grow exponentially in so many ways, especially in Christian leadership and serving the Lord on and off the court.”
Discipline here is more than physical—it’s the daily choice to pursue excellence as an act of devotion.
Competing to Win
StoneBridge athletes love to compete—and they’re taught to compete with purpose. Winning is celebrated, but not as the ultimate prize. The true goal is to compete in a way that reflects Christ’s excellence, humility, and strength.
The Apostle Paul captures this vision in 1 Corinthians 9:24–27: “Run in such a way as to get the prize… Every athlete exercises self-control in all things… We do it to receive an imperishable crown.”
Elise Thomason, Class of 2024, described how her own experiences in the program shaped her understanding of this truth.
“Playing sports at StoneBridge taught me that we achieve nothing on our own, that it is God who gives us our victories. It strengthened my reliance on God and my ability to work with my team to point glory to Him,” she said.
Lasting Impact
The lessons of StoneBridge athletics don’t end with graduation. Alumni carry the same spirit of discipline, humility, and leadership into every new season of life.
“SBS Athletics had a huge impact on my life. It taught me accountability, challenged me to work hard, showed me the importance of Christian fellowship and brotherhood, and most importantly how to honor God in everything that I do,” Landon Wells, Class of 2021, said.
A Higher Standard
StoneBridge Cavaliers embrace a higher calling—a way of competition that honors both God and others.
In the end, the true victory at StoneBridge is not measured in trophies but in transformed lives—athletes who grow in discipline, unity, and servant leadership, and who, through the joy of the game, learn to lay their crowns at the feet of Jesus.
