The Physical Education Initiatives
Goal: $14.8 Million

The trustees and the physical education department have completed a careful study of physical education facilities in relation to instructional and interscholastic programs. They have determined that there are a number of improvements that must be made to ensure continued excellence in physical education. Because the needs are extensive, rigorous choices have been made about what can be funded at this time. The first phase of improvements is included in The Exeter Initiatives, addressing the two spaces on campus that have fallen furthest behind competitive standards.

A New Squash Center
Goal: $12.8 Million

Exeter has had only three temporary regulation courts to support its squash program since secondary schools followed colleges in adopting the international game standards more than ten years ago. Thanks to early leadership gifts, Phase One of this project is funded and will convert seven of the existing squash courts (which do not meet competitive regulations) into six new international courts and will construct an additional four exhibition courts for competitive play. Phase Two, when funded, will construct a mezzanine viewing area and another six courts for a total of 16. New entrances will make both the competition and mezzanine levels accessible to other areas of the Love Gymnasium complex. The new squash center will be of a standard that allows Exeter to host national and international competitions.

Phase one has been completed >>

Renovation of the Love Gym Pool
Goal: $2.0 Million

The Love Gym pool has not kept pace with the evolution of competitive swimming, diving and water polo. This project will eventually rebuild the competition pool to the higher standards. In addition to restoring Exeter's ability to host interscholastic competitions, the new pool will greatly enhance our ability to attract the finest swimming, diving and water polo student-athletes.

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Profile: The Fisher Family on Keeping Exeter Unrivaled

Don and Doris Fisher P’72, ’75, ’79, with sons (l to r) Bill Fisher ’75, John Fisher ’79 and Bob Fisher ’72. Doris is a former trustee of Phillips Exeter Academy.

Among them, the Fisher brothers — Bob ’72, Bill ’75 and John ’79 — spanned almost a decade at Exeter, creating a family connection to the Academy that is as strong and vital today as ever. “I’d have to say that Exeter stands unrivaled compared to any educational experience before or since,” reflects John. “Perhaps because of our formative ages, my brothers and I all left with a greater awareness of who we were and what we were capable of.”

The brothers thrived at the Academy, each, in his turn, becoming involved with the squash and tennis programs. “Athletics at Exeter were tremendously important to my brothers and me,” says John. It was these positive experiences on Exeter’s courts, in addition to many others both inside and outside the classroom that have inspired not only the brothers, but their parents, Don and Doris, to give back. To honor their strong connection to the Academy and its athletic programs, the Fisher family has recently provided a generous lead gift to initiate the construction of a new, state-of-the-art squash center at Exeter.

“Exeter is such a unique place in terms of everything it stands for and offers,” says John; “That’s something you want to continue, something that should be nourished so that the opportunity will exist for generations to come. It’s up to us to keep the tradition going.”

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