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A headshot of Sam Borkovic
  • Voices
Meet the New Director of Student-Athlete Well-being
Sam Borkovic

Sam Borkovic explores how her work in this new role supports gender-equitable athletic programming and a holistic approach to student-athlete wellness.

 

I am standing in the Warner Arena. The Ragin’ Ravens and Ravenscroft families are holding up their pointer fingers, waiting in anticipation. There is a collective sigh of relief as our serve goes in. We are mesmerized as the rally unfolds — then cheers erupt! We won 25-20! The undefeated varsity girls volleyball team are TISAC champions, defeating crosstown rival NRCA in three sets to take the conference title. The team is ecstatic, tears are flowing, hugs are shared and families celebrate. It is a beautiful culmination of months of hard work and development for the program, and as the new Director of Student-Athlete Well-being, I have gotten to witness this growth.

Ravenscroft has a long and established history of supporting student health and wellness. We are a leading example within the independent school community for our policies, practices, principles and programs. We furthered this investment in Framing Our Future, our 2022 strategic plan, which specifically calls for us to expand clinical support for our students, provide additional support to the student-athlete experience and recognize gender equity in sports. Through generous funding from members of our community, the position of Director of Student-Athlete Well-being was created earlier this year.

In this role, I serve as a clinician embedded within the Athletics Department. This model is similar to our three divisions, where the counselor serves on the leadership team as a mental health expert and voice on student affairs. My prior experience as a counselor allows me to meet with student-athletes and teams about their performance. Another essential use of my time is to consult and partner, working closely with the Athletic Department — including coaches, athletic trainers, and mentors and student leaders in S.A.L.T. — as well as the Physical Education Department, the counseling and health team, and, of course, families. This partnership with various members of our community ensures our student-athlete experience is holistic and comprehensive. 

 

This graphic shows the many aspects of the student-athlete experience with which Director of Student-Athlete Well-being Sam Borkovic engages.

In addition to mental health services within athletics, I am charged with highlighting gender-equity initiatives and resources for underrepresented groups in sports. We know that participation in girls sports, particularly ball-oriented games, has declined in recent years. This trend is happening across schools, both public and private, on the national level. Athletics, however, is a tremendous vehicle for the Lead From Here framework and for forming positive self-efficacy and self-worth. By enhancing our sports programs for girls, more student-athletes will have the opportunity to deepen their sense of self, build meaningful relationships with their teams and influence their community in positive and healthy ways. I am really excited about the steps we have taken thus far in this space and am thankful for the financial backing by donors to make program ideas, resource wishes, and development opportunities a reality. 

Six Fun Facts About Sam Borkovic

Here are just a few of the initiatives we have underway as a result of this new position:

  • Team of the Week spotlight emails to students in Middle and Upper School and faculty and staff

  • Girls in Sports Showcase for each season

  • TISAC Girls in Sports Symposium — more details to come

  • Celebration of National Women and Girls in Sports Day, Feb. 2 in conjunction with the Winter Pep Rally

  • NCFC Leaders in Sports Career Panel for Upper School students, Feb. 29

  • Senior Athlete Recognition Ceremony, in conjunction with the Spring Pep Rally

The Girls in Sports Day showcased fall-season sports including varsity volleyball, top right, and varsity field hockey, at bottom.

Athletics is a cocurricular part of the Ravenscroft education. This new position further enables us to add services to our community and build a more comprehensive student-athlete experience. We recognize the complex and interdependent world our student athletes are embarking on and want to ensure they have the fundamental skills and resources to be leaders wherever they go after Ravenscroft. 

Read more about the positive impact of sports on girls — and how Ravenscroft is prioritizing gender equity in athletic programming — in this Spring 2023 feature, “School Celebrates Female Athletes as Title IX Hits 50.”

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