Dear GW Community Members,
The GWHS Athletics Board was established in late 2023, with a vision of fostering fairness, equity, community, and self-expression among our student-athletes.
Our board is comprised of GWHS’ Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Brendan Netherton and a handful of GW parents committed to moving athletics forward at the school. We are working to:
• make sports participation accessible to every student, regardless of experience or ability to cover costs to participate (athletic fees, uniform/warm-ups, team travel fees)
• attract more students to athletics, knowing that joining a sports team helps students develop strong relationships with teammates and coaches, and to feel valued and recognized for their contributions to their team(s)
• attract more students to athletics, knowing that sports participation supports academic performance and mental health
• provide students the opportunity to compete to the best of their abilities and to win championships in their respective sports.
The GW Athletics Committee is raising funds in a few ways. In the past, our sports teams raised money independently. Starting this year, our boy-girl team pairs have begun to raise money together for their two teams. The committee also maintains a general athletics fund, from which we distribute money to teams equitably, and specifically to maintain compliance with Title IX rules regarding fairness related to gender.
We are seeking your contribution to this general fund, administered by Mr. Netherton, with the support of the board and Principal Dackri Davis. All coach requests for funds follow a new streamlined format. Our records of funds directed to each team are being documented clearly and transparently. Our general funds are being spent in a variety of ways – foremost on basics, such as maintaining current and safe equipment and facilities across our various sports. As we work to create a level playing field between GW and the schools against which we compete, we want to invest in significant upgrades to some of GWHS’ sports facilities. (For example, we are one of few DPS high schools with only one gym, which limits practice time for some sports.) Ultimately, by raising the bar for athletics, we build a stronger sense of community, pride, and commitment. A strong athletics program supports GWHS’ overall mission to help students thrive academically and personally, to feel like they belong, and to achieve great things while in high school and after graduating.
As you consider contributing to GW Athletics, please see the sponsorship packages on p. 3?, which are available to individuals, families and organizations. Please contact Mr. Netherton at to discuss our sponsorship options.
To donate directly – no amount is too small – please click the link below to become a sponsor today!
Click Here: Donate or Become A Sponsor
Thank you for your support of GW Athletics!
Brendan Netherton, AP, AD
Kelly Dwyer, President (parent)
Brian Mulvany, VP/Treasurer
Jill Eleson, Communications