For most students, the end of a sports season means more time off. For some of Milton’s athletes, however, the end means something different. From early-morning football training to pickup basketball games in the ACC, many Milton student-athletes treat the off-season not as a break but as an opportunity—a chance to improve game mechanics, fitness, and team chemistry, all of which will define the teams’ success upon their return.
Many fall and winter teams organize official spring training to get ahead during the offseason. Connor Noel ’27, co-captain of the Varsity Boys’ Basketball team, emphasized how “One of the most effective ways to get a team to be a team is through community and connection.” Noel commented on the strong efforts the new captains have made to foster not only team chemistry on the court but also a deeper sense of community beyond the field. Noel continued, “As captains, [Spencer Booth ’27], Ryan [McLaughlin ’28], and I attempt to get the team together at least two times a week to get in the gym or play pick up five on five.” Booth added, “These practices are intentional and competitive, as all of the guys who play basketball as their main sport are there.”
The football team’s rigorous training schedule demonstrates the athletes’ remarkable dedication to the sport. Football co-captain Jon Cerullo ’27 noted, “We have two captains’ [practices] at 6:15 a.m. on Tuesday and Thursday, then two lineman workouts at 6:15 a.m. on Monday and Wednesday.” Players consistently show up on the field and in the gym multiple mornings a week for stretching, conditioning, working on positioning, and training weights. The captains’ self-initiated training offers a testament to the football team’s devotion and discipline. Boys’ Varsity Squash co-captain Adam Amin ’27 noted that the squash team “sometimes holds captains’ practices for our players, but regardless, there are many players who show up to the courts with their friends and train for a couple of hours.” Amin added, “I also encourage that athletes work out in the gym to work on their strength and stability,” both of which are important for the game.
Like players on the squash team, athletes across many teams engage in training outside of sanctioned practices. Varsity Boys’ Hockey captain Chance Bolton ’27 remarked, “In the fall, we all partake in Coach Darling’s strength training program.” Bolton adds, “team members are heavily encouraged to train outside of team practices.” Michael Shaw ’27 also described the team’s efforts: “There isn’t official training with the team, but that isn’t to say we don't work out or train together. I see guys on the team a lot in the gym during the spring.” Players are also encouraged to sign up for spring skills sessions that take place outside of school. Shaw estimated that around half the team goes to those. Despite the hockey team’s lack of official training, players still report an enduring sense of team cohesion during the spring sports season.
Similarly, the runners on Cross Country also engage in significant individual and team training during their offseason. Girls’ Cross Country co-captain Avery Gaffney ’27 noted that continuing to run and staying fit is especially vital for them. “Going into the season with that base already built allows us to push ourselves further and harder during the season,” she said. “Consistent running also helps prevent injury, taking away from that initial stress when people start again.”
Boys’ Cross Country co-captain Emmett Burghardt ’27 highlighted a relevant team tradition: “At the beginning of summer, the captains send out a spreadsheet for athletes to track their summer miles and compete with one another for prizes at the end of the season.” Although mostly training solo, cross-country runners still describe a strong sense of camaraderie throughout the offseason. Additionally, Boys’ Varsity Soccer captain Ethan Fine ’27 emphasized the belief that the offseason is “a really important time to focus on growing individual parts of a player's game, therefore giving themselves every advantage possible going into the season.” Fine claimed, “We encourage personal technical work, group pick-up sessions, and individual gym work as well.”
Whether practicing technical skills, weightlifting, stretching, or even running a pickup game with a few friends, athletes show discipline, motivation, and initiative during the offseason, laying the groundwork for their upcoming seasons.