Fifty years ago, 89 students arrived in Lakeville and ushered in a new era of women and girls at Hotchkiss. Throughout the 2024-25 academic year, Hotchkiss will reflect on their inspiring legacy, pay tribute to the achievements of students who followed in their footsteps, and gratefully acknowledge all members of the Hotchkiss community who boldly helped steer the School forward.

By Erin Reid P’01,’05

For more than 30 years, John C. Virden III ’64, P’89,’91 served Hotchkiss in various positions, including associate head of school, dean of students, college advisor, and teacher. Perhaps most notable was his role as a coach and steadfast supporter of girls' athletics.

Virden entered Hotchkiss as a prep. “I hadn’t thought much about going to Hotchkiss, but my father always envisioned me there. At times, I missed my family and wanted to leave, but due to my dad’s support, I always ended up staying,” he said, referring to his father, John C. Virden Jr. ’41, P’64, GP’89,’91. It was the right decision as Virden developed several lasting friendships, including a special bond with Jody Nachman ’64, P’91,’93,’00, GP’21,’23. He was also a member of the Student Council and was active in varsity swimming, baseball, and football.

Virden majored in economics at Lake Forest College and never considered working in education. But after marrying a Lake Forest undergrad, Martha Recht, in 1969, he took a job teaching math in a public school, followed by 11 years as a math teacher at Lake Forest Country Day School. He was also Lake Forest's business manager during his final five years at the school.

When the news that the Hotchkiss Board of Trustees had voted to admit women and girls, who first came to campus in the fall of 1974, reached Illinois, Virden was pleased. “I was proud of their decision and wished it had been so when I was a student.”  

An opportunity to return presented itself in 1981 when Rusty Chandler ’53, P’82,’85,’87, GP’10,’14,’16,’22,’27 asked Virden if he’d consider running the Hotchkiss Annual Fund. “We decided to move our family to Lakeville—the fact that Hotchkiss had become coeducational was a defining factor as we hoped our girls would qualify for admission. By the time they applied, we knew Hotchkiss would be a great place for them with the quality of the faculty, the curiosity and positivity of the students, and the outstanding facilities. The timing was perfect.”

Virden loved athletics, though he admits his career was sometimes “less than stellar—I learned humility from a Hotchkiss football season of 0 wins, 11 losses! I was in awe of some of the talented athletes I ‘coached’ and was sympathetic to those who worked hard to contribute to the team’s success. ‘Sportsgirlship’ mattered, and winning did not play a decisive role, although I preferred that! We played games well, to be sure, but never lost sight that it was only a game.”

As a coach, he was a natural. Virden started the girls varsity squash team in 1984, leading them to eight Founders League Championships. In 1987, he began his 16 years as head coach of girls varsity tennis, capturing the Founders League Championship seven times.

Former co-director of athletics and longtime coach Robin Chandler ’87 said, “It was a privilege to work with John. Over 22 years, I learned so much, watching him as dean of students, advisor, coach, and my longtime assistant coach with the field hockey team. His care in developing players as athletes and teammates went well beyond the athletic arena, something I always deeply admired.”

Virden received the Martin Williams Souders Memorial Award from the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council in 2015, one of only two awards given annually to a graduate of a New England independent school “who has a distinguished record in sports and who has since made a distinguished record in life through his/her high ideals, leadership, and accomplishments.”

Building character was a significant goal for him, on and off the field. His time as dean of students brought some substantial challenges. “I tried to be fair in the Discipline Committee to respect the rules while at the same time helping kids to understand that we all make mistakes. I hoped those who made mistakes could move on to feel good about themselves. It is character that perseveres and has the greatest impact on young lives.”

Former Head of School Robert H. “Skip” Mattoon Jr. offered the following tribute: “When I arrived at Hotchkiss in the fall of 1996, I had the good fortune of having John just down the hall. I’d already sensed the depth of his commitment, but I soon realized how profound his dedication was. From the heavy student traffic into and out of his office, I could see students sought his advice. As chair of the Discipline Committee, John was both sympathetic and firm. When the verdicts for disciplinary action reached my desk, I almost always concurred. But even in the few cases when I did not, my working relationship with him remained strong. John made my job immeasurably easier by handling many issues, large and small.”

Mattoon also praised Virden for his coaching skills. “By the time I arrived, he had established his credentials as a coach of girls squash, tennis, and field hockey. No doubt this drive was fueled in part by his wife, Martha, and their two daughters, Sarah ’89 and Marnie ’91, but John’s commitment to girls’ athletics was genuine. I witnessed this while watching many games. I particularly enjoyed the team of Robin Chandler and John Virden, two alumni children, as they led the girls field hockey team to one victory after another.”

Virden says he will be forever grateful for his Hotchkiss experience and is happy that his life trajectory brought him home to Lakeville. “The mentors who showed me a better way from 1960-64 and from 1981-2015 were, and in many ways still are, so important to my growth as a man and professional. I would like to cite and thank three people, among many, who made singular impacts on my life: George Stone, Christy Cooper P’08,’11, and Rusty Chandler.”