We are a program that is 16 athletic programs and 41 state championships strong. We are a Division 2 school in the Virginia Independent School Athletic Association (VISAA). Our teams compete in the Blue Ridge Athletic Conference (BRAC).

Participation in sports at The Covenant School is both a privilege and an important part of a child’s education. We believe that sportsmanship, hard work, teamwork, and fair play are the building blocks of a sound athletic program. While winning is valued, there is an overriding emphasis on character formation. Over 75% of our students participate on at least one athletic team, while many students participate on several teams. This high participation rate reflects the inclusive nature of the athletic program, the quality of the coaching staff, the camaraderie of our teams, and the enjoyment that athletics provide. 
The Eagle Fund is Covenant's first-ever fundraising initiative focused on Athletics.

Meet the Athletic Director

Patrick Estes brings a wealth of experience in athletics and leadership to Covenant. As a former football player for the University of Virginia, Patrick was drafted by the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers, where he played for three years. In alignment with Covenant’s mission, Patrick will develop and implement a strategic plan for the Athletic Department that will serve as the roadmap for the pursuit of athletic excellence. Patrick is married to Lauren, a second-grade teacher at our Birdwood Campus, and they have three children, all of whom attend Covenant: Kaleb (’27), Noah (’28), and Reese (’30).

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  • 17

    Athletic Programs

  • 42

    State Championships

  • 75

    Conference Championships

  • 78

    Christian Coaches

  • 3.4

    Average Athletic GPA

  • 97

    Collegiate Student Athletes

  • 1

    Olympic Gold Medalist

  • 542

    Adoring Student Fans

    • Ashley Taylor

      Associate Athletic Director

Ashley Taylor has a B.S. in Neuroscience from The College of William & Mary, where she was also a 4-year member of the Women's Basketball team. She went on to receive a M.Ed. from The University of Virginia. Ashley worked as an Early Intervention and Preschool Speech Therapist in Syracuse, NY after graduate school. A Charlottesville native, Ashley attended The Covenant School through the 6th grade. She brings coaching experience at the Middle and High School levels, as well as ministry experience with Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Upward Sports. Her hope is to encourage student-athletes to daily pursue their identity in Christ and to glorify Him with their God-given abilities, both on and off the playing field. She has recently worked alongside a group of student-athletes to start Covenant's first Fellowship of Christian Athletes Huddle, which meets biweekly at the Hickory Campus.

    • Randall Pitts

      Associate Athletic Director

Randall Pitts will serve as an Associate Athletic Director for middle and high school sports. Randall brings more than twenty years of experience in the education field as a teacher and coach. He holds a B.S. in Health and Physical Education from Longwood University and a Master of Education in Administration and Supervision from James Madison University. Randall wants to successfully establish and grow meaningful relationships with all coaches, students, parents, other ADs, and official organizations, such as VIAAA. Randall is married to Elizabeth and they have two children who attend The Covenant School: Christian (‘34) and Ellie (‘37).  

    • Jon Vaughan

      Athletic Trainer

Jon Vaughan has had the joy of being an athletic trainer for 20 years, with experience at the professional, collegiate, and high school levels. He is board certified nationally and state licensed by the Virginia Department of Health Professions. He graduated from James Madison University and continued his professional studies with the National Academy of Sports Medicine and Kinesio University. Jon served as the Head Athletic Trainer at Gallaudet University, the global leader in the education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing students; he is currently a member of the USA Deaflympics medical team and is an active advocate and ally within the Deaf community He also served as a clinical instructor for the athletic training programs at George Washington University, George Mason University, Shenandoah University, and Central Michigan University and he is currently a preceptor with the UVA. He comes to us with cultural experiences from his work across the globe. Jon aspires to recognize the Imago Dei in each student-athlete and show the love of God through sports medicine.

    • Ed Nordenschild

      Strength and Conditioning

Ed Nordenschild joins Covenant Athletics as our first-ever Strength and Conditioning Coach after more than 30 years of practicing at the collegiate level, including over 20 years at UVA. Nordenschild earned a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from the University of Texas-Arlington in 1993 and a master’s degree in kinesiology with a specialization in exercise physiology from the University of Texas in 1995. Coach Nordenschild is responsible for the planning and implementation of fitness goals for individual student-athletes and their teams. He is certified with the National Strength and Conditioning Association and the United States Weightlifting Federation.

Athletic News

This Week's Games

Coaching Opportunities

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The Covenant School

Birdwood Campus | Lower School | Pre-K–Grade 5 |
1000 Birdwood Road Charlottesville, VA 22903 | 434.220.7309

Hickory Campus | Middle and Upper School | Grades 6–12 | 175 Hickory Street Charlottesville, VA 22902 | 434.220.7329
Located in Charlottesville, VA, The Covenant School is a non-denominational, private, Christian day school for Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12. Students benefit from a challenging academic program, visual and performing arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.
Copyright © 2023, The Covenant School