Shipley girls’ basketball team celebrates inaugural Swamp Night, Senior Night
Bryn Mawr – The Shipley girls’ basketball team celebrated not one, but two special nights Jan. 29. Not only was it Senior Night, but it was also the school’s inaugural Swamp Night.
“Senior Night is always special for the Shipley community because it allows us to celebrate the careers of girls who have played with us for four years,” Shipley girls basketball coach Kevin Costello said before a packed crowd inside Yarnall Gymnasium following a 65-60 non-league win over Penn Wood Jan. 29. Prior to the game, the Shipley girls’ basketball team honored seniors Courtney Redcross, Emily Talluto and Maya Overton.
The Shipley girls’ game, which preceded the Gator boys’ 52-41 non-league win over Strawberry Mansion, culminated an evening full of events that brought an entire school community together for the inaugural Swamp Night.
With new and exciting things happening on campus including the recently completed construction of the Commons Center, the administrators with the student body echoing their sentiments felt it was an appropriate time to turn things inward and embrace Shipley pride.
“For the past eight years we held community nights benefiting different organizations and with so much excitement happening at Shipley we felt it was natural to have a Shipley Pride night,” said Maria Stroup, co-director of community life. “We feel that if you feel good about yourself you are more prone to give to others and this way everyone accomplishes the same goal.”
“When we met about a theme for community night a staff member thought we should celebrate Shipley Pride and then someone else yelled out ‘Swamp Night,’ which is the Shipley student section at athletic events. We approached the upper school athletic board and everyone was on board,” said Chet Blair, co-director of community life. “We are here for our students and anytime we can do something that they are on board with it’s a win-win for everyone.”
In past years, admission to the game was collecting clothes or canned food goods. This year, the community service efforts took place in advance of the basketball doubleheader where the students held a clothing drive to benefit Our Closet in Springfield (an organization founded by one of the families whose students attend Shipley).
“It was so awesome to see everyone come out tonight and support us,” said senior guard Emily Tallutto, who is the co-Student Athletic Head that helps Athletic Director Mark Duncan plan and organize events and build excitement around Shipley events like Swamp Night. “One of the biggest reasons I love Shipley is the community atmosphere that Shipley fosters. I love Super Saturday and this was just an indoor version of Super Saturday.”
Tate Gallagher, who is the other co-Student Athletic head, echoed Tallutto’s sentiments: “I thought it was great the administration reached out to Emily and myself for our input. It was nice we could base this event around two big basketball games. It’s a great idea and I hope the school continues to implement this theme.”
With the idea of bringing the lower, middle and upper schools together and the centerpiece of the event being the basketball games accompanied by a pizza and pasta dinner, the administration and students managed to involve all of the schools with the various events including sign making, face painting and a showing of the movie Inside Out for K-3rd grade students.
A packed house not only brought out excitement and a pair of wins for the basketball teams, it also brought a sense of pride for everyone who is part of the Shipley community.
“If the kids are more excited than the administrators, then we must be doing something right,” said Stroup.
Talluto echoed Stroup’s sentiments: “Tonight was fantastic. It was great seeing my teachers come out with their families. They are always supportive of us. Everyone put so much work into this night and I hope everyone had fun. My little sister is a freshman on the team and since I am going to college locally I can’t wait to come back next year.”
