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By Darryl Gangloff
Hotchkiss’s annual Taft Day rivalry showdown was held in Lakeville on Nov. 8. Bearcats roared to a thrilling 10-2-2 victory as the loud and proud Blue Mob cheered for our field hockey, volleyball, girls soccer, boys soccer, and football teams against the Rhinos.
While Hotchkiss athletes battled on their home fields, the Boys and girls JV and varsity cross country teams traveled to Taft on Taft Day to compete in the New England Division 1 Championships. All four teams defeated the Rhinos on the road to add to Hotchkiss’s winning tally.
“Congratulations to our teams for the most successful Taft Day in terms of victories. It was a lovely day. Well done, leaders of Blue & White,” Head of School Craig W. Bradley said.
Congratulations to all Bearcats for your impressive teamwork and School spirit! GO BLUE!
Pictured above, the varsity volleyball, football, field hockey, boys soccer, and girls soccer teams competed at home on Taft Day.
Taft Day Sports Tally
Wins vs. Taft
- Varsity field hockey: 2-1
- Varsity volleyball: 3-1
- JV volleyball: 3-0
- Girls JV soccer: 2-1
- Boys JV soccer: 3-2
- Boys thirds soccer: 3-1 (ending their season with a historic 10-0-2 undefeated record)
- Boys varsity cross country at New England Division I Championships: 7th place
- Boys JV cross country at New England Division I Championships: 9th place
- Girls varsity cross country at New England Division I Championships: 8th place
- Girls JV cross country at New England Division I Championships: 10th place
Losses vs. Taft
- Varsity football: 27-42
- Boys varsity soccer: 0-3
Ties vs. Taft
- Girls varsity soccer: 1-1
- JV field hockey: 1-1
Spirit Week Excitement
Taft Day was the culmination of a fun-filled Spirit Week featuring the themes Greek Life, Twin Tuesday, Country vs. Country Club, Throwback Thursday, and Blue Out, as well as an energetic pep rally. Students gathered around a bonfire on Friday night, Nov. 7, for a final burst of Bearcat Pride before Taft Day. View Spirit Week photos.
Young alumni from the Classes of 2012-25 joined us in New York City, top photo, and Boston, bottom photo, for a Hotchkiss-Taft Challenge Kickoff Party.
Young Alumni Win Hotchkiss-Taft Challenge
Young alumni in the Classes of 2012-25 came together to win the Hotchkiss-Taft Challenge with the highest number of donors! Thanks to their generous support, we surpassed our goal of 300 gifts to The Hotchkiss Fund. The Class of 2012 led the way with a 23% participation rate. Many young alumni joined us for kickoff parties in New York City and Boston and showed us their roar!
The Hotchkiss Dramatic Association performed Pippin Nov. 7-9, including Taft Day.
Theatre and Art Add to Taft Day Festivities
Taft Day attendees also enjoyed a fantastic performance of the Hotchkiss Dramatic Association's production of Pippin, which kicked off their 2025-26 season. Mark your calendars for Frankenstein Feb. 13-15, 2026 and Romeo & Juliet May 8-10, 2026. View photos of Pippin.
Visitors also stopped by the Tremaine Art Gallery on Taft Day to view Wish You Were Here, featuring works by Fern Apfel and Colleen McGuire. The exhibit is on display through Jan. 25, 2026, with an artists’ talk on Thursday, Nov. 13, at 7 p.m. and an opening reception on Saturday, Nov. 15, from 4 to 6 p.m. View a 3D tour of the exhibit.
Class of 2025 Returns to Campus
Members of the Class of 2025 returned to Hotchkiss to cheer for the Bearcats during Taft Day and posed for photos with Carita Gardiner, their beloved class dean.
