Athletics - Sayre School Athletics Sayre athletic programs offer a unique opportunity for student athletes who choose to compete for their school. In a time where most sports are becoming increasingly specialized and require year-round commitments from athletes at younger and younger ages, we recognize the inherent value of participation and embrace the multi-sport athlete model. 68% of our Upper School students play on at least one school-sponsored team and many take full advantage of their opportunities to play and excel in multiple sports. Our coaching staff embraces a positive approach to coaching, and they work tirelessly to cultivate skill, confidence and the will to win. Coupled with our educationally based athletic model, our student athletes are pushed to reach their full potential, and our teams learn to achieve and win at a level not often associated with smaller schools. At Sayre, Spartan pride runs deep. Our student athletes are continually challenged to make their mark in everything they do and athletics are no exception.Discover our approach to athletics that is uniquely Sayre. We are Spartan strong! Loading from Vimeo... At Sayre, student-athletes don’t have to choose between sports and academics—they can excel at both. This video highlights the experience of our female athletes in middle and high school, showcasing Sayre’s supportive and welcoming environment where multi-sport athletes thrive. With strong mentorship, a focus on leadership and time management, and a culture that prioritizes academics, Sayre empowers girls to compete, grow, and lead—on the field, on the court, and in the classroom. Sayre Coaching and the Student-Athlete Richard Little Director of Athletics rlittle@sayreschool.org O. (859) 254-1361, ext. 221 Rob Goodman '89 Associate Director of Athletics rgoodman@sayreschool.org O. (859) 254-1361, ext. 227 Why Sayre Athletics? Spartan Programs Spartan Teams Spartan Coaches Spartan Facilities Resources Athletic Program Mission - At Sayre, playing a sport goes well beyond wins, losses and the accumulation of skills or recognition. We understand the potential that athletic participation teaches invaluable life lessons. In addition to reaching, one’s potential as an athlete, we also work to cultivate positive values, meaningful character development, teamwork, time management, resiliency and the value of sacrifice and commitment. Through both success and failure, and along with other meaningful challenges that athletes face, our student athletes can expect a rich and rewarding experience. Open Participation - We encourage every student that attends Sayre to play at least one sport. Any student with the desire to play and a willingness to make the necessary commitment to a team is welcome regardless of experience or skill level. At Sayre, we do not routinely hold try outs or make cuts unless a team or program has space or other limitations that necessitate limiting numbers. The Ability to Play Multiple Sports - Playing more than one sport is commonplace at Sayre and as a result, we can offer our students a wide array of competitive athletic options. Even with the demanding academic and athletic schedules, our students routinely manage to excel both in the classroom and with their respective teams. In fact, many of our student athletes would tell you that their grades improve when they are playing a sport. Improved focus and time management skills are exercised during any athletic season. Competition - Our teams play in competitive schedule and routinely test themselves against some of the best teams in the state of Kentucky. Our teams train hard, are well coached and expect success. Resources - Our training and athletic facilities are first rate and offer our student athletes every opportunity to excel in their chosen sport. The Next Level - Many of our student athletes have athletic aspirations that extend beyond High School. At Sayre, our athletes have a tremendous track record and often go on to compete for colleges across the country. In 2023, 15% of the senior class signed letters of intent to compete athletically at the next level. What We Offer Numerous athletic programs in Lower School, Middle School and Upper School Competitive opportunities in multiple leagues and tournaments throughout the year Meaningful character development, teamwork, and resiliency Talented and dedicated coaching staff who are committed to helping athletes reach their potential and learn to achieve both on and off the field Lower School Programs Our lower school athletic programs are centered around participation, skill development and cultivating a joy for sports. Sayre provides information to families about local youth programs and camps. Sayre partners with other local and national youth organizations to offer after school programs such as Girls On The Runs and USTA tennis clinics. Our Future Spartans basketball program offers a unique opportunity for younger athletes to work closely with Upper School students in a fun, participatory environment. Teams play in the winter months and are comprised of 1st – 5th grade Sayre girls and boys. Our Multi Sports Camps and Future Spartans programs are instructional and take place throughout the year. Girls On The Run (GOTR) and our USTA tennis clinics are after school programs that take place 1-2 times per week in the fall and the spring. We recently added a cheer program that meets twice a week during the fall and winter. Participants have the opportunity to cheer at football and basketball games. Middle School Programs In Middle School our athletic programs shift to an interscholastic model. Starting in 5th grade, we begin to develop students into student-athletes by prioritizing the balance of academics and athletics. Teachers and coaches work together throughout the season to ensure the success of student-athletes academically. Winning games and matches are desirable, but building skill sets and having a positive environment is our greater emphasis. Beginning of 7th grade, with approval from the coach and Director of Athletics, athletes may have the opportunity to compete at the high school level in x-country, golf, basketball, tennis, cheer, soccer, lacrosse, swimming, diving, track, and baseball. Upper School Programs Sayre Upper School is a member of the Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) and as such competes in the 42nd District, 11th Regional, Statewide tournaments, and All A which is a mid-season statewide tournament of smaller “A” sized schools. Sayre offers a broad range of individual and team sports. Many of our teams offer a JV and varsity team and are open to all students regardless of skill and ability. Sayre strives to provide the best coaching, facilities, and equipment possible to provide the best opportunity for success. At Sayre, we encourage students to participate in as many sports as possible. Boys Golf Boys Middle School Golf Boys Middle School Soccer Boys Varsity Soccer Cross Country Football Girls Freshman Volleyball Girls Golf Girls JV Volleyball Girls Middle School Soccer Girls Varsity Soccer Girls Varsity Volleyball JV Football Boys 7th & 8th Grade Basketball Boys Freshman Basketball Boys JV Basketball Boys Middle School Basketball Boys Varsity Basketball Girls JV Basketball Girls Middle School Basketball Girls Middle School Volleyball Girls Varsity Basketball Indoor Track and Field Swimming and Diving Boys Freshman Baseball Boys JV Lacrosse Boys Middle School Lacrosse Boys Varsity Baseball Boys Varsity Lacrosse Boys Varsity Volleyball Girls JV Lacrosse Girls Middle School Lacrosse Girls Varsity Lacrosse Middle School Tennis Middle School Track and Field Tennis Upper School Track and Field Richard Little Director of Athletics BA West Virginia University '93 M Ed University of Virginia '99 Rob Goodman '89 Associate Head of Athletics Head Boys Basketball Coach Head Boys Golf Coach BA University of Kentucky '97 Chad Pennington Director of Football BA Marshall University '99 Ron Wetzel Head Girls Golf Coach University of Charleston Griffin Miller '11 Head Boys Soccer Coach BA University of the South, Sewanee '15 MA University of Kentucky '22 Mike McKinney Head Girls Soccer Coach BA Eastern Kentucky University '89 MD University of Kentucky '93 Residency Wright State University '97 Brad Carter JV Boys Basketball Coach Northern Kentucky University '02 Eric Kinder Head Girls Basketball Coach BS University of Kentucky MS University of Kentucky Leigh Nahra Head Girls Volleyball Coach BA Eastern Kentucky University '98 Angeleyshka Curbelo Head Swim Coach BA Saint Peter's University '22 MA Palm Beach Atlantic University '24 Kyndal Knight Head Diving Coach BA University of Kentucky '22 MA University of Kentucky '23 Stewart Stevens Head Cross Country Coach BA University of Kentucky '14 MBA University of Kentucky '15 De'Shaw Henderson-Brown Head Track & Field Coach Head Indoor Track & Field Coach BA Art Institute of Atlanta '12 Kevin Clary Head Baseball Coach BS Transylvania University '88 MA University of Kentucky '90 M Ed Eastern Kentucky University '02 Randy Lambert Freshman/JV Baseball Coach BA '98 Jon Simon Head Boys Lacrosse Coach Wittenberg University '02 Anna Cook Head Girls Lacrosse Coach BA Washington & Jefferson '16 Ron Harper Head Tennis Coach BS Asbury College '91 MS University of Kentucky '07 Jacob Neely Head Boys Volleyball Coach BA University of Nevada '12 MA University of Nevada '14 MA University of Kentucky '17 PhD University of Kentucky '19 Andrew Turner MS Boys Golf Coach BA University of Kentucky '16 MA University of Kentucky '19 Brett Wheeler MS Boys Soccer Coach MS Girls Volleyball Coach BA University of Kentucky '16 MA University of Kentucky '19 Daniel Wagner MS Girls Soccer Coach MS Girls Basketball Coach BS Babson College '99 US Soccer National D License '22 US Soccer National C License '25 Dante Ward 5th & 6th Grade Spartan Basketball Coach BS Phoenix University '08 MS Fresno Pacific University '14 Michael Corio 7th & 8th Grade Spartan Basketball Coach BA University of Kentucky '23 Kailan Flynn Head Cheerleading Coach AAA University of Kentucky '22 Katie Mooney Middle School Tennis Coach BA Miami University '00 MA Smith College '02 PhD University of Kentucky '22 Calvin Perez Middle School Boys Lacrosse Coach University of Kentucky '27 Kaity Shafer Middle School Girls Lacrosse Coach University of Kentucky '26 Sayre Athletic Complex Sayre School Campus Other Practice Facilities The Sayre Athletic Complex (SAC) is located on a 50-acre site, 15 minutes from the main campus, and includes four soccer and lacrosse fields, baseball and softball diamonds, 10 tennis courts, and a cross country course. Map of the SAC 300 Canebrake Drive Lexington, KY  40509 FROM DOWNTOWN LEXINGTON: Start out going east on Main St. Main St becomes Richmond Rd. Continue on Richmond Rd past Jacobson Park and the Exit 104 interchange of I-75. Turn left  onto Canebrake Drive between Days Inn and Red Roof Inn. Continue down the hill and proceed .1 mile past the tobacco barn. The entrance to the Sayre Athletic Fields is on your right. FROM I-75: Take Exit 104 towards Athens. Turn left onto Canebrake Drive between Days Inn and Red Roof Inn. If traveling north on I-75, headed to Lexington - Take exit 104 (Lexington-Athens-Boonesboro exit). Turn left onto Athens-Boonesboro Road, which then becomes Richmond Road. Richmond Road leads into downtown Lexington and becomes Main Street. At the intersection of Main Street and N. Limestone, turn right. The school is three blocks up on the right. If traveling south on I-75, headed to Lexington - Take exit 113 (Lexington-Paris). - Turn right onto Paris Pike/Broadway. At the intersection of Broadway and Short Street, (approx. 1 1/2-2 miles, shortly after passing Transylvania University) turn left onto Short St. At the end of Short St, turn left onto Limestone. The school is one block up on the right. If traveling east on I-64, headed to Lexington - Take exit 113 (Lexington-Paris) (same as above) If traveling west on I-64, headed to Lexington - Take exit 113 (Lexington-Paris) (same as above) From Nicholasville Road - Nicholasville Road becomes Limestone as it proceeds toward downtown. After crossing Main Street, the school is three blocks up on the right. From Harrodsburg Road - Harrodsburg Road becomes Broadway as it proceeds toward downtown. After crossing Main Street, turn right onto Short Street. At the end of Short Street, turn left onto Limestone. The school is one block up on the right. Champions 2061 Lexington Road Nicholasville, KY 40356 The Yard 117 Westhampton Drive Lexington, KY 405011 Next Level 340 Richmond Avenue Lexington, KY 40502 Centenary United Methodist Church 2800 Tates Creek Road Lexington, KY 40502 Calvary Baptist Church 150 East High Street Lexington, KY 40507 Tower Hill 404 Sporting Court Lexington, KY  40503 Transylvania Natatorium 361 North Broadway Lexington, KY 40508 Transylvania Athletic Complex 555 West 4th Street Lexington, KY 40508 Student-Athlete Participation Agreement Parent Athletic Agreement Sayre Athletic Code Transportation Rules and Guidelines Sayre Emergency Action Plan (EAP) - Gym Sayre EAP - SAC Sayre EAP - Adjunct Locations Sayre Mental Health Management Plan Sayre Concussion Policy Student Injury Report MS KHSAA Participation Form US KHSAA Participation Form X by sayrespartans View this profile on Instagram sayreathletics • Instagram photos and videos