Exeter, NH (May 7, 2008)—On Sunday, May 4, at Phillips Exeter Academy’s Saltonstall Boathouse, a new crew shell was christened in honor of former staff member, Alfred J. Stanley. Stanley served as groundskeeper and custodian from 1992–2006. A lifelong resident of Exeter, Stanley was at the private christening with family, friends, current and former boatmen, crew coaches, and members of the boys and girls crew squads. See photos of the christening...

Initially hired as groundskeeper, Stanley quickly transferred to a custodial position, where he remained for most of his more than 14 years as an employee of the facilities management department. Before PEA, Stanley served for many years as a store manager of First National Stores.

During his time at the Academy, Stanley loved following all athletic teams; watching games in all seasons.  He knew many students, and enjoyed nothing more than watching them play on game days. In addition, he volunteered his free Saturdays in the spring to travel with the boys and girls crew teams, and assist the boatman at away races.

Math instructor and boys junior varsity crew coach, David Swift, says Stanley was well-known by many athletes at the boathouse. “Digger was especially close to the 1996 and 2002 boys’ first varsity eights. Both of those crews won the New England Interscholastic Regatta and entered the U.S. Junior National Rowing Championship—winning in 1996 and placing fourth in 2002. Digger knew every one of these boys well; and they, in turn, appreciated Digger’s encouraging words before and after their races. We are delighted to see a new shell christened the “Alfred J. Stanley,” he says.

A complete list of upcoming events is available on the Phillips Exeter Academy public events line at (603) 777-4309 and on our website at http://www.exeter.edu/. To learn more about athletic events, visit out website at http://www.exeter.edu/athletics/3165.aspx. For directions to Phillips Exeter Academy, call (603) 777-4330. To learn more about upcoming events at Exeter, check the News & Events section of the website. To learn more about PEA Athletics, go to http://www.exeter.edu/athletics/3165.aspx.

Phillips Exeter Academy is a coeducational, independent preparatory school that was founded in 1781 and originated the system of instruction known as Harkness teaching in 1931. In the spirit of its charter to foster both goodness and knowledge, a Phillips Exeter Academy education will now be free to any admitted student whose family income is $75,000 or less. Committed to educational excellence, the school meets all demonstrated financial aid needs of its admitted students, making the Academy effectively “need blind.” The diverse student body comes from a wide variety of geographic, economic, racial and religious backgrounds approximately from 45 states, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands and 23 foreign countries.