The Inter-Academic Athletic League Directors of Athletics named 13 student-athletes as recipients of the annual Inter-Ac AD’s awards. The AD’s Award is presented annually to a senior girl and/or senior boy who has been a multi-sport varsity athlete and has exemplified dedication to their team and school. Recipients are considered to be outstanding representatives of the Inter-Ac League in sportsmanship and leadership. 

The AD’s Award began as the Willard Award in 1997 and from 1997-2010 the award recognized accomplished three sport athletes within the Girls Inter-Ac League. After the Boys and Girls’ Leagues merged in 2013, the award became the AD’s Award. Boys were first recognized with this award in 2019.

The recipients for Germantown Academy were Sarah Marvin '23 and Walker Schwartz '23.

Sarah Marvin – Germantown Academy
Sports: Lacrosse (capt.) and Field Hockey
College Attending: Trinity College – Lacrosse
 
Throughout my time at GA, athletics have been a truly crucial part of my experience. Playing in the Inter-Ac against some of my closest friends while being challenged in a competitive environment has shaped me into the player and person I am today. GA has instilled leadership, dedication, and most importantly helped me to foster connection with my teammates. I want to thank my parents, siblings, coaches, teammates, and GA for always supporting me. – Sarah Marvin
 
Although field hockey isn’t Sarah’s primary, or even her secondary sport, she was a huge asset to our team and program over the past four years. Her quiet persistence and raw athleticism combined to make her a great hockey player. Whether she was facing an injury, an opponent, or a hard training session, she did so with grit and good-natured humor. Simply put, she’s the kind of person that will improve any team that she’s on. – Coach Jackie Connard - Field Hockey
 
Sarah Marvin leads with her actions. She works hard and puts her heart into everything she does. She's a force on the field and inspires her teammates to play their best and brings the team together with her selflessness and dedication. – Coach Diana Shumar - Lacrosse
 

Walker Schwartz – Germantown Academy
Sports: Lacrosse (capt.) & Ice Hockey (capt.)
College Attending: Cornell University – Lacrosse
 
Germantown Academy sports have given me great joy and opportunity and will always be a huge part of who I am, now and into the future. – Walker Schwartz
 
Walker Schwartz is an exceptionally gifted student-athlete. I have been fortunate to have had the perspective of knowing/seeing Walker grow through Germantown Academy’s Lower, Middle and Upper Schools - as well as witnessing his growth as a hockey player from his early days at Wissahickon Skating Club to his time with the Jr. Flyers organization to captaining the high school team here at Germantown Academy.
 
As a freshman, he was an impact player and someone we could rely on for goal scoring, play making, and ensuring that Germantown Academy was able to control and dictate the pace of games. In the league final of his freshman year, he scored a short-handed goal that will forever be etched in our collective memory not only for the skill and poise he demonstrated, but also for how it propelled us to that victory. He has always been recognized as a First Team All-League selection in his high school career with opposing coaches often wondering if he had graduated yet so that his teams wouldn’t have to defend him. He led our team in most offensive categories throughout his 4 years, but also demonstrated a strength and willingness to play the game the right way and to do the work that didn’t always show up on the scoresheet. He did a tremendous job captaining the team in his senior year and ensured that our locker room had a collective, inclusive, and competitive feel to it. Walker comes from a great family, and I appreciate his ability to balance his will to win with humility and awareness to do the right thing. Walker is an excellent choice for this award, and it has been an honor and privilege to coach this young man. - Matt Rominger - Ice Hockey Coach
 
Walker Schwartz introduced himself to me as "a hockey player that likes to play lacrosse in the offseason." Since then, he has had an impressive career on the lacrosse field. He was named First Team All-League as a sophomore. After the culmination of his junior year, he was named First Team All-league, All-State in Pennsylvania, and All-American. He is currently on the short list of individuals considered to be the best high school lacrosse player in the country as a senior.
 
Walker has started every lacrosse game since he entered the Upper School at Germantown Academy and has never missed a practice. He is an intense competitor that is seemingly incapable of giving anything but his best when he is on the field, and one of the most selfless and humble individuals off the field. He naturally leads with his voice and his actions. His teammates and coaches have the utmost respect for him as both a competitor and a person. He carries himself with a worth ethic that is matched by his integrity and humility. Walker will be attending Cornell University next fall as a recruited member of their men's lacrosse team. - Billy McKinney - Lacrosse Coach