Building Confidence, Connection, and Community

At Mount Vernon, athletics is more than competition—it’s connection, growth, and belonging. That vision takes root earlier than most people realize, thanks to Mustangs in Training (MIT), a Lower School athletics initiative designed to give students an opportunity to explore, play, and discover their passions while building meaningful relationships with Middle and Upper School student-athletes and coaches.

MIT was inspired by an earlier program Brad Dehem ran earlier in his career, as a football coach as a way to connect younger athletes with varsity players. When he came to Mount Vernon, he saw an opportunity to expand on that idea and make it more intentional. Brad Dehem, Athletic Director, shares:

“At another school, I started a youth flag football program where older players coached the little ones. It was fun, but it made me realize that if we were in charge of the whole athletic experience, we could create something much bigger here—something intentional from the very start in Lower School.”

Today, MIT offers Lower School students exposure to a wide range of sports, including soccer, football, wrestling, cheer, lacrosse, baseball, softball, volleyball, track, cross-country, basketball, and agility and conditioning, each program tailored to the developmental stage of the children participating.

Unlike many youth leagues or one-off community sports programs, MIT is embedded in the fabric of the Mount Vernon experience. Brad explains:

“Our head coaches aren’t just responsible for one team—they’re program directors from kindergarten through twelfth grade. MIT gives them a chance to build relationships early, so by the time a child is in seventh grade, they already feel like part of Coach Dungan’s Basketball program or Coach Edwards’ football program.”

Rooted in Purpose

MIT reflects the core purpose of Mount Vernon Athletics: We are a relationship-driven athletic program empowering students to grow and excel through preparation, practice, and performance. Each session, drill, and game-day experience is carefully crafted to build confidence and connection—not only with peers, but also with older Mustangs and the larger school community.

More Than Skills: A Sense of Belonging

From the beginning, MIT has been designed to do more than teach the rules of the game. Each season includes “Experience Days,” events where Lower School athletes join varsity teams on the field, court, or track. Rita Williams, Director of Mustangs In Training, Assistant Athletic Director & Middle School Athletic Director says:

“Experience Days are exciting, hands-on opportunities for MIT athletes to connect with varsity teams and be part of the action on game day. These special events are all about building school spirit, making memories, and forming real connections between younger students and our Mount Vernon athletes. It’s also a meaningful way for our older student-athletes to lead, mentor, and connect with younger Mustangs.”

Parents have noticed, too. Stories circulate of children finding new role models, discovering new sports, and feeling inspired by seeing themselves reflected in varsity athletes. Brad shares:

“At a dads’ meeting last year, before I could even start talking, they wanted to talk about Mustangs in Training. One father shared how meaningful it was for his son to see a varsity baseball player who looked like him. Those moments stick—they make kids believe,

‘That could be me one day.’

”

These moments underscore the deeper purpose of MIT: to cultivate a sense of belonging and identity, not just skills.

Exposure, Joy, and Growth

MIT is a Kindergarten through G5 program, and each sport varies in what is offered for each grade level. MIT’s structure ensures that young athletes get the right opportunities at the right time, with activities tailored to suit their developmental stage and skill level as they progress through Lower School. Brad emphasizes:

“MIT is about giving kids permission to try everything. Even if baseball is your thing, go try wrestling or lacrosse. The goal isn’t specialization—it’s joy, confidence, and discovery.”

Student Spotlights: MIT Athletes

MIT Agility & Conditioning –Mila Tabor, Grade 3, MIT Agiltiy & Conditioning
“Agility and Conditioning was fun! I got to run, jump, and do things the big kids do. It made me feel strong!”

Cross Country – Arthur Dreger , Grade 4, MIT Cross Country
“Running in MIT Cross Country is so much fun! I get to run with my friends, and the coaches make it really exciting. I even got to do a mile run with the middle school cross country team and parents cheering at the finish line, iit felt like a real race! I also wanted to participate in MIT Cross Country because I’m excited about being on the Middle School Cross Country team and want to get ready for it.!”

MIT Cheer – Nadia Arriagada, Grade 1, MIT Cheer
“I loved cheer! Learning the cheers was fun, and cheering with the big girls at the game made me feel so happy.”

Rita adds, “It’s not just about skill development, it’s about creating an environment where kids feel confident, curious, and excited to keep learning.”

Guided by Commitment

MIT also embodies the commitment that defines Mount Vernon Athletics: to cultivate an athletic community built on a team-first culture and sustained through empathy, respect, integrity, resilience, excellence, and fun. Every practice is designed to balance skill-building with joy. Rita notes:

“We build skills, confidence, friendships, and a love for the game. Drills are age-appropriate by design, and every session is built around fun. Because when kids can’t wait to come back, that’s when we know we’re making a real impact.”

Coaching With Purpose

Another hallmark of MIT is that it is led by many of the same passionate and masterful coaches who shape Mount Vernon’s varsity and Middle School programs. This reflects the school’s approach to coaching and training: We design competitive programs led by growing, masterful, and passionate coaches who are focused on the skill development, health & well-being, and leadership growth of all student athletes.

Whether it’s varsity soccer coach Lamar Howard guiding Lower School players through a World Cup–style entrance or the cheer squad mentoring the youngest students, MIT ensures that children are learning from those who live and breathe Mustang culture.

Laying the Foundation for the Future

Even in just two years with a full schedule, MIT is already showing signs of long-term impact. Students who try lacrosse or wrestling for the first time in Lower School often carry that passion forward into Middle and Upper School athletics. The program is also helping Mount Vernon athletics strengthen its identity as a K–12 community, where the sports family includes everyone, from five-year-olds to seniors preparing for their final varsity season.

Looking ahead, Brad envisions:

“I’d love to see MIT include more opportunities to compete—maybe Saturday intramural games or quick exhibitions before varsity matches. It would give our younger Mustangs a chance to showcase their skills in front of the whole community.”

Purpose Through Play

Ultimately, Mustangs in Training isn’t just about athletics. It’s about instilling courage to try new things, building meaningful relationships across grade levels, and cultivating a deep sense of belonging. Brad concludes:

“At the end of the day, MIT is about belonging. We want every child to feel like they’re part of the Mount Vernon sports family and confident enough to try new things. That’s how you build not just athletes, but resilient, joyful learners.”

At Mount Vernon, every Mustang—whether five or fifteen—is part of a sports family. MIT ensures that journey begins with joy.