The Hewitt School can finally claim home field advantage. At the start of the school year, it was announced that rented the Lenox Hill Neighborhood House gym to be the new location for home games and an additional space for practices to take place. This gym is located on 70th Street between First and Second Avenues, approximately eight blocks away from Hewitt.
Alanna Levitt ’18, believes “everyone involved in sports is very excited about the new gym.” However, she feels that the location is a “little less convenient” than just staying at the Hewitt School’s gym for home games.
The renting of the Lenox Hill gym will have a big impact on Hewitt’s athletics because it will help to increase student attendance at games and promote school spirit. It will primarily be used to host games and practices for volleyball, basketball, and badminton. Hewitt has taken a big step by expanding its campus; however, to some, it may feel like a hassle to get from one place to the other.
Nora Mead ’19, thinks that it was a “good idea for Hewitt to invest in a new gym.” As a member of the JV Volleyball team, one downside that she notes is that the new gym “is not always air conditioned.” She feels that especially for athletes, “it is essential for it to be [air conditioned], especially when it’s hot outside.” However, Nora agrees that the new location will motivate her to “attend more games when I am not on a sports team.”
The Lenox Hill gym provides athletes with the space and comfort they need to do their best during the games. Director of Athletics, Ms. LeVine reports how it is “mentally beneficial for preparation and training in the same gym. While at the same time, creates school pride to have a place that we can host games at.”
Ms. Le Vine also noted that this gym is closer to our school in comparison to the gyms of Hewitt’s competitors, so it’s easier than ever for students to come and support their friends.
Adding on to Ms. Le Vine’s point, Head of the Upper School, Ms. Stevens says that she has already “witnessed more school pride and spirit as a result [of the gym].”
Overall, the renting of the Lenox Hill gym is already serving as an asset to Hewitt athletics. It will not only provide athletes the facility for practices and games, but it will also encourage more school spirit and excitement. Go Hawks!