Many varsity athletes at Phillips Academy will have to make new spring break plans. Budget cuts at PA have forced the cancellation of many spring trips. Spring break training trips for the Girls Varsity Lacrosse, Boys Varsity Lacrosse and Boys Varsity Baseball teams have been cancelled, and administrators have reduced the budget for the annual Cantata Choir and Academy Orchestra spring tour. ?Lacrosse players planning to attend the annual spring vacation trip to Disney World learned at the end of fall term that the trip would not occur this year. Many of the players were dismayed. Jack Walker ’09, Captain of the Boys Varsity Lacrosse team, said, “The cancellation of the spring lacrosse trip [was] a huge disappointment. The trip was a fun and effective team bonding opportunity.” Anthony Morlani ’09, Captain of Varsity Baseball, said that the cancellations have left teams scrambling for practice venues. “[The spring baseball trip] enabled Andover athletes to get a head start on the season in a warm climate that is unlike the inclement March weather in New England,” said Morlani. He continued, “Unfortunately, with the cancellation of several athletic trips this year, athletes must find other venues to better prepare themselves for the upcoming season.” Administrators also modified the budget for the annual Cantata Choir and Academy Orchestra tour. Cantata and the orchestra had originally planed to tour in Vienna, Budapest and Prague, but the school took Vienna off the agenda in order to meet the budget restraints of the Financial Aid Office. Christopher Walter, Instructor in Music and Director of Chorus, said, “For many [participants of the tour] this is a huge expense. Financial Aid has helped as much as [it] can. The school has been very generous in letting this continue,” said Walter.? Walter said that planning for the tour began about a year ago with the help of World Cultural Tours, a tour company. Since the tour involves extensive planning and multiple performances, it was difficult to cancel, he said. Despite the cancellations, faculty and students have tried to remain positive. Walker said that the cancellation of the trip might prove more beneficial in terms of practice. “Although we were saddened by the news as a team, we are aware that coming back to school early for spring term and practicing on our field could potentially be a more productive use of our time as a team,” said Walker. “Spring break is fun, but being back on campus would be all business. I have full confidence that we will see results if we come back to campus early,” he added. Stephen Carr, Varsity Boys Lacrosse Coach, said, “The school administration made the decision and given the current economic climate and the larger school priorities, I understand the choice.” He continued, “I know our guys are disappointed. But I think if we all look at it in the context of what is happening around the country, I think the school’s decision makes sense and sends the right message.” ?Members of the Cantata tour are thankful the tour was not cancelled.? Katie von Braun ’09 said, “It’s the only time during the year that [the orchestra] gets to collaborate with the chorus.” ?According to Walter, “The tour is an integral part of the music program. It’s something that people look forward to, build up to and work for.”
