Help Us Hit Our Stride
TRACK RENOVATION PROJECT DEAR PAST AND PRESENT TATNALL TRACK AND FIELD AND CROSS COUNTRY ATHLETES AND PARENTS: Since the early 2000s, The Tatnall School running program has distinguished itself as a nationally recognized and respected high school program that is marked by a consistent history of sportsmanship and unprecedented success. During the last several years of competition, our program has produced 203 individual and relay state champions, set 64 Delaware state records, won 45 state championship titles, and earned 34 All-American performances. While we are very proud of every single one of these accomplishments, none of them would have been possible without our supportive parents, willing student-athletes, dedicated coaching staff, and outstanding training facilities, which include Tatnall’s eight-lane, all-weather performance track. As a result of all of the hard work over the years, student-athletes from our program have received more than 50 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) partial or full athletic scholarships, and countless students have benefited from the camaraderie, leadership, and expectation of excellence that have become cornerstones of our program. Over the years, it has never been about how fast our runners can run, but rather how passionately they are willing to pursue their dreams. As we look toward the future of our program, we have to consider the future of the Tatnall track facility. Although the track was resurfaced during the summer of 2016, we must also pay close attention to the aging structural foundation of the track, the inadequate drainage, and the perimeter enhancements that will contribute to the safety of our runners and the longevity of our revered facility. The renovation of our 50-year-old track facility is essential to our continued success, as it will provide the foundation for scores of current and future Tatnall student-athletes to work toward realizing their dreams and becoming a part of something extraordinary. We encourage you, our past and present parents and athletes of our running program, to help us realize this dream of upgrading our track facility at Tatnall. The Board of Trustees approved initial funding that allowed us to complete Phase I at the end of 2017. In preparation for Phase II of this critical project, the track program needs your support. The Board is also in agreement about the necessity of this project and, in order to move this project forward and ensure the future of the track program, the Board has challenged us to raise $700,000 (70% of the overall project cost) before we take this project to the larger Tatnall community and break ground on Phase II. As we prepare for the next steps of this essential renovation project, we are asking our community to bring the Tatnall Track and Field facility and our running program to the next level. Thank you for all you have done in the past for our program. Please join us in this next exciting phase!
Patrick Castagno Coach, Tatnall Running Program
Help Us Hit Our Stride TRACK RENOVATION PROJECT Support Tatnall’s Track and Field program by making a commitment equal to your ability and at a level commensurate with your support of The Tatnall School and all that is has provided your family. Your ongoing generosity enables Tatnall to continue its history of excellence in shaping students’ futures. To show your support today, please contact the Tatnall Advancement Office at advancement@tatnall.org or (302) 892-4333. Thank you! NAMING OPPORTUNITIES Naming opportunities are a unique way to leave a lasting mark on The Tatnall School. For additional information about the various naming opportunities associated with the track project, please contact the Advancement Office.
$25,000
HIGH JUMP APRON
$25,000
SHOT PUT CIRCLE
$25,000
DISCUS CAGE/CIRCLE
$50,000
TRACK LANE NAMING (8 LANES AVAILABLE)
$75,000 SCOREBOARD
The Tatnall School 1501 Barley Mill Road Wilmington, DE 19807
Advancement Office (302) 892-4333
The Tatnall School @TatnallSchool
Help Us Hit Our Stride TRACK RENOVATION PROJECT RUNNING PROGRAM AT-A-GLANCE
203 64 51 45 35 34 30 12 7 4 4 3 2 2 2
Individual and relay state champions Delaware state records NCAA partial or full athletic scholarships State team championship titles Individual state champions All-American performances
“ Tatnall’s running program taught me how to be a selfless leader, a fearless competitor, and, most importantly, how to dream in all aspects of life.” – Sam Parsons ’12, North Carolina State University ALL-AMERICAN/PRO ATHLETE ADIDAS RUNNING “ Tatnall’s running program has been the most defining experience of my life. Coach Castagno and his staff have built a program that creates successful individuals in all aspects of life. The running program not only shaped me into a competitive athlete, but it also taught me many valuable skills such as tenacity, teamwork, passion, and patience.” – Henry Paul ’14, Lehigh University
DISC Conference cross country championships Time State Coaching Staff of the Year Consecutive appearances in the Nike National Cross Country Championship Time Cross Country Nike regional girls team champions Penn Relay championships National high school records Tatnall girls 3rd in the nation, Nike Cross Nationals - Oregon National championship relays
“ I remember the smell of the Tatnall track and the feel of sitting down by the track shack, stretching, and looking down the homestretch. I remember my first workout on that track back in 7th grade. I didn’t know at that point the effect that red track surface would have on my life. Every personal best performance and every tough workout helped shape me into the person I am today—constantly driven and motivated to never be haunted by the ‘ghost of what might have been.’ I gave my all, my best, every time I stepped on that track, and shook hands with the challenge of the day. Now every time I find myself faced with a new challenge in my life or a new opportunity for growth, I face it head-on, I rise up, and I conquer. That’s what Tatnall Cross Country and Track has meant to me.” – Katie Kershner ’08, University of Richmond
Student-athletes who have gone on to run professionally
COACHING ACCOLADES
2008
National High School record for girls fastest team top 5 average in XC 5K—18:01
2009
Tubby Raymond award (State Coach of the Year), Delaware Sportswriters and Broadcasters Association
2011 2011
National Cross Country Coach of the Year (XCNation) Gill Athletics Coach of the Year for the Mid-Atlantic Region of the U.S.
“ Tatnall running gave me some of my greatest memories, friends, and skills for overcoming adversity. Together with wonderful coaches and teammates, I learned how to set high goals and work towards them, which is something I now try to continue doing every day.” – Reagan Anderson ’13, Vanderbilt University
Help Us Hit Our Stride TRACK RENOVATION PROJECT “ The Tatnall running program gave me some of my best friends to this day, a chance to challenge myself physically and mentally, and the opportunity to travel around the country. Most importantly, it taught me to be confident in myself and in the power of a team. This program was an incredible experience for me and one for which I will always be thankful.” – Juliet Bottorff ’08, Duke University ALL-AMERICAN/PRO ATHLETE ADIDAS RUNNING
“ The Tatnall running program has changed my life in more ways than I can say. It provided me the opportunity to attend Georgetown University, travel, and compete against the best in the country—and meet amazing people along the way. The skills I learned while running at Tatnall were formative in shaping who I am today and how I approach challenges. Hard work, dedication, resilience, humility, and what it means to be a team player are just a few of the things I’m so grateful to have learned while running at Tatnall. I feel so proud to be part of the legacy and so thankful for all that Coach Castagno and the program gave me.” – Haley Pierce ’12, Georgetown University THE MOST DECORATED RUNNER IN TATNALL’S HISTORY
“ The thing that makes the Tatnall Cross Country and Track team so impressive is leadership. Led by Coach Castagno and a remarkable group of Assistant Coaches, I was able to push my body where it had never gone before. No other time in my life can I say that I was surrounded by such remarkable individuals who pushed me to be my best every day. When I ran competitively in college, nothing came close to the camaraderie and team spirit I experienced at Tatnall.” – Rebecca Salter ’13, University of Virginia
Help Us Hit Our Stride TRACK RENOVATION PROJECT
PROJECT SPECIFICS Tatnall will complete the track renovation in three separate phases. Phase I was completed in 2017. Each remaining phase will improve the track’s existing structure and functionality while also enhancing the space for athletic success and community involvement. As we look toward the future of our nationally recognized program, we are counting on you to help bring the Tatnall Track and Field facility to the next level. Your support will ensure the safety and success of our runners, and contribute to the longevity of our revered facility.
Phase I:
• Install a stone dust walkway, trench drain, and concrete pads for potential bleachers. • Repair existing catch basins. • Connect trench drain to existing storm system. • Sod all disturbed areas.
Phase II:
• Install concrete walkway perimeter, trench drain, new synthetic track surfacing, storm management system, and upgraded discus cage and shot put area. In Phase II, new long jump landing pits, electrical conduits, lowlevel lighting systems, a new scoreboard, concrete pads for bleacher seating, and a six-station water bar will also be installed. • Remove all existing track facilities inside of the track as well as the existing fence fabric and posts to make room for updated fencing and gates.
Phase III:
• C onstruct a new athletic building between the track and the soccer field. This twolevel building will have storage space, concessions, and air-conditioned restrooms on both levels.