Athletics

Athletics at Bush

Learning and Growth for all Athletes

To view team schedules and scores, rosters, and photos, please visit bushblazersathletics.com.
Athletics plays an essential role in The Bush School community, whether students are active participants or general supporters of the program. Dedicated coaches make the athletic experience a time of learning and growth for all athletes. The coaching staff emphasizes fundamental technical, tactical, and emotional skills needed to succeed in interscholastic play while developing  positive values and social competencies such as sportsmanship, teamwork, perseverance, time-management, and ethical judgment. Participants are able to apply the outcome of these invaluable life lessons on and off the playing fields; during their time at Bush and beyond.
 
Bush follows a no-cut philosophy, which allows any student who shows commitment, demonstrates a desire to develop as an individual athlete and team player, and understands the importance of being a positive contributor to be placed on a team. Athletes at The Bush School are asked to work hard, to regularly engage in their team activities, and most importantly to have fun.

Bush Athletic Director Jo Ito

The Blazers Athletics Program is an essential part of the overall student experience at The Bush School. We consider the work with our student-athletes as an opportunity to have a positive impact on their lives through emphasizing learning of fundamental sports skills and strategies, teamwork, and most importantly character development. Our school-wide commitment to being a diverse, and inclusive community that is focused on ensuring each participant is seen, valued, and heard, is at the heart of what we do.

Bush Athletics Information & Stats

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  • Athletic Department Staff: Six

    Jo Ito, Athletics Director
    Lisa McCullough, Assistant Athletics Director
    Mel Harrow, Associate Athletic Director 
    Grace Katt, Head Athletic Trainer
    Megan McKinney-Rickey, Fitness Center Specialist
    Floyd Webb, Gym Manager
  • Average Number of College Level Athletes Per Year

    7
  • Average Number of Coaching Positions

    Upper School - 67
    Middle School - 34
    Lower School - 15
  • Number of Teams

    Upper School - 22
    Middle School - 20
    Lower School - 4

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  • 2022-2023 By-the-Numbers

    • 62 All Conference Honors
    • 12 Athletes Earned All State Honors
    • 2 Emerald Sound Coaches of the Year
    • 1 State coach of the Year
    • 2 Emerald Sound Conference MVP’s
    • 5 Broken School Records (Track and Field)
    • 1 Golf State Medalist
  • Approximately 70% of all Middle School & Upper School students participate in at least one sport

  • Most Recent Championships (2023-2010)

    2023 Boys Doubles State Champions
    2022 Boys Cross Country 1A State Champions
    2022 Boys Soccer State Champions
    2022 Boys Soccer Conference Champions
    2022 Girls Cross Country Conference Champions
    2022 Boys Tennis Doubles State Champions
    2022 Boys Tennis Doubles District Champions
    2022 Boys Tennis Double Conference Champions
    2022 Girls Golf Individual Bi-District Champion
    2022 Girls Golf Individual Conference Champion
    2021 Boys Soccer Conference Champions
    2019 Girls Cross Country Conference Champions
    2018 Girls Track & Field High Jump Bi-District Champion
    2017 Boys Soccer Bi-District Champions
    2017 Boys Soccer Conference Champions
    2017 Girls Track & Field High Jump Bi-District Champion
    2016 Boys Cross Country Bi-District Champions
    2016 Boys Cross Country Conference Champions
    2010 Girls Soccer State Champions

Connect With Us@BushBlazers

    K-12 Athletics at Bush

    The Bush School athletics program works within the rules of the WIAA and the Emerald Sound Conference to provide athletic opportunities and competition for students of all gender identities. While most sports are offered separately for boys and girls, the Athletics Department staff is committed to working collaboratively with each family to determine options that best suit their student-athlete’s journey.

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    • Upper School

      Upper School athletics develop young adults physically, emotionally, socially, and ethically. Upper School teams strive to be competitive with the top athletic teams in the league. More importantly, Upper School athletic participation provides student-athletes with exceptional opportunities to reach new heights, overcome adversity, experience moments of glory and tough losses, and learn to be a good teammate, which are important steps in the students’ character education. Upper School students and coaches are expected to embody the school’s philosophy — trying your best and exhibiting good sportsmanship supersedes winning at all cost.

      The no-cut philosophy is continued in the Upper School program. Students who are interested in playing a sport and who are willing to make a commitment to their team will have the opportunity to participate. During the tryout period, students are encouraged to show their coaches that they are dedicated to the program’s philosophy and expectations, and that they will make their best effort to be a contributing team member. Tryouts serve as a platform for athletes to show coaches where they can perform best in terms of a team, position and/or role.
       
      Upper School teams generally practice five days a week and compete two to three times per week. The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) governs most upper school sports (exceptions: Cross Country Skiing, and Ultimate). The Bush School is a member of the Emerald Sound Conference (ESC), competing at the 1A level.
       
      Sports Offered:
      • Fall: Cross Country, Boys Golf, Girls Soccer, Boys Tennis, Girls Volleyball, Boys Ultimate
      • Winter: Nordic Skiing, Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball,
      • Spring: Girls Golf, Boys Soccer, Girls Tennis, Track and Field, Girls Ultimate
    • Middle School

      Middle School athletics teach fundamental technical, tactical, and emotional skills, which students can apply throughout their athletic career at The Bush School. Coaches are focused on providing a challenging, supportive, and fun environment. The targeted outcomes are students who are well equipped to succeed at the junior varsity and varsity levels, and who have developed a love for sports and physical activity, which will last beyond their years at The Bush School.
       
      Middle School teams generally practice two to three times a week and compete once or twice a week. The Bush School is a member of the CrossTown Middle School League. The league does not keep track of scores or standings. Its main focus is providing “healthy and fun activity through competition, good fellowship and sportsmanship”.

      Sports Offered:
      • Fall: Cross Country, Boys Soccer, Girls Soccer, Girls Volleyball
      • Winter: Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball, Co-ed Tennis
      • Spring: Golf, Track and Field/Running Club,  Boys Ultimate, Girls Ultimate
    • Lower School

      Bush Lower School athletics teaches students basic skills while emphasizing teamwork, cooperation, sportsmanship, and the joys of athletic participation and being part of a team. Lower School teams generally practice two to three times a week and compete in contests coordinated by the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO)

      Sports Offered:
      • Cross Country (Fall, First through Fifth Grade)
      • Basketball (Winter, Fifth Grade)
      • Running Club (Spring, Third through Fifth Grade)
    The Bush School is an independent, coeducational day school located in Seattle, WA enrolling 715 students in grades K–12. The mission of The Bush School is to spark in students of diverse backgrounds and talents a passion for learning, accomplishment, and contribution to their communities.

    3400 East Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98112    (206) 322-7978
    The Bush School does not discriminate in matters of employment, recruitment, admissions, or administration of any of its programs on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, gender, or sexual orientation. In addition, The Bush School does not discriminate in matters of employment on the basis of age or marital status.
    © 2022  The Bush School