Brentwood Academy Podcast

This month, athletic director Jason Matthews spends time with three Brentwood Academy programs that work hard all fall, often without much of a spotlight.

First up is cross country. Coach Marshall Smith talks about the mentors who got him into running, including BA legends Charlie Harper and Ed Hessey. He also explains how a sport that looks individual becomes a team effort. Runners Levi and Avery describe heavy training weeks and how they push through the hardest part of a race, which for Levi means Joshua 1:9. They also explain where the boys’ “Butter Squad” got its name. With the state meet less than a month away, Coach Smith says what a successful season would look like.

Next, the show goes to the sideline on a Friday night. Cheerleaders Sadie and Bailey compare game-day cheer with competition, talk about the third-quarter light show, and describe the 12-plus hours a week it takes to defend a state title on the way to nationals.

To close, dance captain Tatum and Sara Elaine McNew talk about the team’s unity, its second season performing on the football sideline, and the “coming for it” mindset the team is bringing to state and nationals.

Join us as we celebrate the Eagles who pursue excellence in body, mind and spirit, to the glory of God.

What makes Brentwood Academy such a special place to learn, grow, and belong? It starts with the people.

In Who We Are, we take a closer look at the faculty and staff who bring Brentwood Academy's mission to life every day. Through personal stories, meaningful conversations, and reflections on their calling as educators, we explore the values that shape our community and the relationships that make the BA experience unique.

At Brentwood Academy, four defining attributes guide who we are and how we serve: Christ-Centered, Relationally Invested, Servant Teammates, and Committed to Growth.

More than words, these attributes reflect a shared commitment to nurturing and challenging each whole person—body, mind, and spirit—to the glory of God.

The Brentwood Academy experience is shaped by much more than academics, athletics, and the arts. It is shaped by people who intentionally invest in the lives of students and one another.

In this Who We Are series, we go beyond the classroom to hear directly from BA faculty and staff about their experiences, their passion for Christian education, and the values that guide their work.

Throughout the series, we explore:

Christ-Centered: How faith in Jesus Christ provides the foundation for our purpose, relationships, and daily work.

Relationally Invested: Why meaningful connections with students, families, and colleagues are central to the Brentwood Academy experience.

Servant Teammates: How a spirit of service, collaboration, and encouragement strengthens our school community.

Committed to Growth: Why continued learning, personal development, and a willingness to grow matter for both educators and students.

At the heart of every conversation is a shared purpose: preparing students for lives of faith, learning, and service.

Learn more about Brentwood Academy: www.brentwoodacademy.com

In this episode of This Month in Eagle Athletics, Athletic Director Jason Mathews takes us inside three Brentwood Academy fall sports programs to hear from the coaches and student-athletes who are putting in the work, building strong teams, and representing BA both on and off the field of competition.

We begin with Eagle Volleyball, where Coach Dearing and members of the team talk about the chemistry that has made this group special, memorable moments from the season, and the determination it takes to battle through long rallies and tough matches. They also reflect on the energy of the first Eagle Rally, Coach Dearing’s milestone 850th career victory, and what it means to wear BA across your chest and compete for something bigger than yourself.

Then, Jason heads out to the soccer field with Director of Soccer Otey Smithson, who shares how a young and aggressive girls soccer team continues to grow throughout the season. They discuss emerging leaders, the technology being used to measure player performance, the incredible distance players cover during a match, and what the Eagles need to do as they prepare for postseason play.

Finally, Head Golf Coach VJ Galpooti joins the show to talk about a season defined by perseverance, strength, and fun. He shares the impact of senior leadership, Lauren Cleater’s memorable individual victory at the Father Ryan Invitational, the promising young players coming through the program, and how Brentwood Academy’s new Golf Center is helping take player development to another level.

Across every conversation, one theme stands out: BA Athletics is about more than wins and losses. It’s about relationships, leadership, perseverance, growth, and competing together as Eagles.

In this episode:

• The chemistry and competitive mentality behind BA Volleyball
• What it means to compete for your team, your school, and the glory of God
• The atmosphere and impact of the Eagle Rally
• Coach Dearing’s 850th career victory
• Girls Soccer’s young talent and developing leadership
• How technology is helping BA track soccer performance
• The importance of finishing strong heading into postseason play
• Golf’s senior leadership and emerging young talent
• Father Ryan Invitational victory
• The impact of BA’s new Golf Center
• Why even individual sports become team experiences at Brentwood Academy

This Month in Eagle Athletics is a special series of the Brentwood Academy Podcast celebrating the coaches, student-athletes, teams, and stories that make Eagle Athletics special.

Middle school is a season of tremendous growth, discovery, and transformation. In this special episode of the Brentwood Academy Podcast, former Middle School Director and current BA Board of Trustees member Nancy Brasher, Interim Head of School Jenny Cretin, and Middle School Director Susan Cobb reflect on the joys and challenges of these formative years, the importance of steady and caring adults, and the role Christian education plays in helping students discover who God created them to be. Together, they share the heart behind BA’s middle school experience and the people, relationships, and faith that make it so special.