Andrew Gascho, athletic director, strides purposefully through the hallways, his demeanor reflecting a quiet confidence. Not one for overtures, his face lights up when asked about his approach to athletics at Eastern Mennonite School.
“At EMS, joining a team is about more than just learning a sport. The team stands by you, ensuring that there are no failures, only learning experiences. This support creates genuine personal growth and skill development,” Andrew explains. “Being part of a team means understanding what it feels like to be involved in something greater than yourself,” he adds, recalling how his own journey as a student athlete profoundly shaped his life. At the heart of this philosophy is community. EMS holds high aspirations for its athletes, believing that success is a natural outcome of a strong team culture.
Joy, passion, and personal transformation for the real world are emphasized over the final score. The athletics programs K-12 aim to prepare students to thrive in team settings. In line with the Eastern Mennonite tradition, EMS takes a counter-cultural stance in a world where money, time, and winning often overshadow other values. Instead, students are encouraged to embrace multiple and emerging identities. They can excel in several sports, participate in musicals, sing, play instruments, spend time with family and friends, and engage in experiential learning. All contribute to their well-being and character development, skills we all hope to achieve to live a balanced life.
Many coaches are alumni of EMS, deeply understanding and embodying the values that are difficult to teach but vital to instill. “Alumni coaches who have been impacted by positive team experiences they had at EMS who are now coming back to coach so current students can have those life-changing experiences.”
In this intentional, mature, and team-focused environment, EMS cultivates student athletes who succeed both on and off the field. As Andrew says to athletes, “We are going to love you through the learning.” The lessons they learn here-about resilience, leadership, joy, and collective success—prepare them for a future where they can excel in any endeavor they choose.
