Athletics at Sidwell Friends

Being at Sidwell has helped me become more active because I got to try out many sports, and when I finally got to choose one I really enjoyed it. … It’s not just exercising and getting fit—it’s learning to be on a team, which is really important even with group work in the classroom. Being on a sports team helps me use those skills and apply it to the classroom. – 8th Grade Student

MEET THE DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS

Michael Square

squarej@sidwell.edu

Michael Square joined Sidwell Friends School as the David Pearson ’52 Athletic Director in 2022. Michael previously served at George Washington University as a member of the senior leadership team as the senior associate athletics director of internal operations. He has had broad management responsibility for the department’s operations, budget, strategic plan execution, diversity and inclusion programs, and NCAA and Athletic 10 Conference compliance. He was sports administrator for several men’s and women’s teams and represented the Atlantic 10 Conference on the NCAA's Strategic Vision and Planning Committee.

Michael also served as chair of the advisory board for Return On Inclusion, a national program for coaches and athletic administrators dedicated to developing inclusive leaders and fostering a culture of belonging.

Before joining George Washington in 2018, Michael served as assistant athletics director at a private K-12 School in Miami, Florida and as an adjunct professor in the School of Business at Miami Dade College in Homestead, Florida. From 2007 to 2017, he held several positions of increasing responsibility at the University of Miami, most of them focused on human resources management, inclusion strategies for the university, and the administration of medical education programs.

Michael holds an MBA from Nova Southeastern University and is a 2004 graduate of the University of Miami, with a degree in sports administration and business. A distinguished student athlete, he played defensive end on the University of Miami Hurricanes football team, including on the undefeated national championship team of 2001. At the end of that season, he was named to the Big East Conference All-Freshman team. A native of Houston, Texas, Michael was a three-year letter winner in football, basketball, and track in high school and a highly recruited student athlete.

From 2004 to 2018, Michael coached football and boys’ and girls’ basketball at several South Florida high schools, working with numerous students who went on to play at the university level.

VALUES OF OUR ATHLETICS PROGRAMS

COMMITMENT

I will be disciplined in my pursuit of excellence and the success of my team and my teammates. I will play with purpose and pride and push myself and my teammates to be the best that we can be.

LEADERSHIP

I will lead by example and hold myself and my teammates accountable to the highest standards of conduct on and off the playing field. I will work to bring out the best in others and keep my teammates on the right track.

INCLUSION

I will work each day to create a space of equal opportunity for everyone, of respect for others and for self, of common goals, and of open communication.

PERSEVERANCE

I will compete with discipline and grit and every day demonstrate my loyalty to the team by showing that I am in control of my attitudes, my efforts, and my body language.

SPORTSMANSHIP

I will respect the game, my teammates, our opponents, the referees, and the fans before, during, and after any competition, regardless of the outcome.