Athletics

A Record of Health and Wellness

The athletics program at Ellis is strategically designed to support student growth outside of the classroom while complementing Ellis’ academic program. A variety of sports are offered each season, and by participating, girls uncover hidden talents and discover physical activities they love. They experience the joy of teamwork, grace in defeat, and the thrill of winning. Athletes also develop physical strength, mental toughness, time-management skills, and stress-reduction techniques that last a lifetime.

Our coaches are champions of integrity and resilience, and they encourage girls to become exemplary student-athletes. They prepare their teams for the season by challenging them to make it through tough practices that set them up for success in intense competition. Throughout the season, coaches will often re-evaluate team and individual goals to support girls as they grow in their athletic abilities. What is most appealing about Ellis’ robust athletics program is the fact that, as an all-girls school, girls’ teams receive 100% of the resources allocated to athletics and a girls’ team can always be found on the main playing field or court during prime practice and competition times.

Each team and athlete is fully supported to feel successful and accomplished at the end of the season—regardless of their win/loss record. From this, Ellis girls develop into fiercely strong athletes who thrive on healthy competition and develop leadership skills that will impact their ability to use their voices and talents to solve complex problems, work with diverse groups of people, and bring about positive change in their communities.

List of 3 items.

Lower School (Grades 3 & 4 Only)
Fall
- Field Hockey
Winter
- Basketball
Spring
- Lacrosse
Middle School
Fall
- Cross Country
- Field Hockey
- Soccer
Winter
- Basketball
- Swimming
Spring
- Lacrosse
- Tennis
Upper School
Fall
- Cross Country
- Field Hockey
- Soccer
- Tennis
Winter
- Basketball
- Swimming
Spring
- Lacrosse
- Softball
- Track & Field

Athletics News

List of 4 news stories.

Katie Johnson Announced as New Athletic Director
2/15/2022
Katie Johnson has been named the next Athletic Director of The Ellis School, effective July 1, 2022.
Senior to Run Cross Country and Track at Collegiate Level
2/7/2022
Meghan McNabb, Class of 2022, will go from Tiger to Griffin when she joins the Division II Cross Country and Track and Field teams at Seton Hill University this fall. Meghan, who plans to enroll in Seton Hill’s 5-year Integrated Master’s program for Nutrition and Dietetics, signed her National Letter of Intent and celebrated her commitment on campus alongside her classmates and fellow Upper School community members.
Alumnae Inducted into Athletic Hall of Fame
11/10/2021
The Ellis School is proud to announce that Emma GILMORE Kieran ’96 and Liz JOHNSON Barnes ’81 have been inducted into the Ellis Athletic Hall of Fame.
Alumna Inducted Into PA Track and Field Hall of Fame
5/19/2021
Ellis alumna Heather HANCHAK Moss '97 has been elected to the Pennsylvania High School Track and Field Hall of Fame. An outstanding sprinter at Ellis, Heather’s athletic accomplishments include:

A World-class Athletic Field

In 2014, Ellis celebrated the grand opening of our new state-of-the-art turf field. Our new 72,600 square foot regulation-sized field is lined for soccer, field hockey, and lacrosse, and looks and feels like natural grass. The mix of turf and sand at Ellis was specifically chosen to minimize injury risk to young athletes. The field is a source of tremendous school pride, not just for our athletes, but for every member of our community. Though sports are not required, 70% of Ellis Middle and Upper School students play a team sport. This is much higher than the national average of 40% for girls (Women’s Sports Foundation).

Training and Equipment

Ellis athletes train under the supervision of certified athletic trainers from UPMC Sports Medicine. Our trainers assist with conditioning and injury management and oversee every game. They are nationally certified both on the state level and by the National Athletic Trainers Association Board of Certification. Our UPMC Sports Medicine team provides onsite medical care and rehabilitation programs for all Ellis athletic teams. They also offer on-campus concussion baseline testing by season and grade level. Uniform and safety equipment lists are detailed on the MyEllis intranet site. Every sports season begins with a “Meet the Coach session” where coaches provide detailed information about practice and games and set the tone for an exciting season.