Virginia Episcopal School

VES is a co-ed college preparatory school for boarding and day students in grades 9 – 12. In our intentionally small, diverse and engaging community—260 young men and women and 40 faculty—we guide students to strive Toward Full Stature in their academic, ethical, spiritual and personal growth.

400 VES RoadLynchburg, Virginia24503
434.385.3600

Athletic Facilities

Philip L. Van Every Athletic Center

VES's home base for athletics in the state-of-the-art Van Every Athletic Center. This facility features:

  • Robert "Rock" I. Lee, Jr. '45 Court for basketball and volleyball
  • 2 side courts for practice sessions and training
  • Cardiovascular training equipment, free weights and strength training machines
  • Fitness assessment room
  • Indoor baseball training 
  • Table tennis program
  • Locker rooms for boys, girls and visiting teams
  • Athletic administrative offices
  • Memorabilia room
  • Mezzanine that overlooks the center court 

The VES volleyball and basketball teams enjoy the benefits of the Rock Lee court, and our lacrosse and soccer teams take advantage of the side courts in inclement weather. The center court fabrication prevents injuries by providing “bounce back,” or shock resistance, to lessen fatigue on players’ knees and ankles, enhances performance, increases ball responsiveness, and offers a clean, sophisticated look.

Strength and conditioning trainers who are highly regarded in the region work with many of our teams and student-athletes in this facility. VES also hosts summer basketball and sports camps in the athletic center.

Van Every also features a full set of banners recognizing individual and team conference and state champions across every sport.

Barksdale Gymnasium

Barksdale Gym was refreshed in 2019 with a look that honors the style and design of the facility in the 1920s. The gym was originally a gift, made in 1919, by Ethel du Pont Barksdale  in memory of her late husband, Hamilton M. Barksdale. Together, they were the school’s largest benefactors from its founding to the early years of WWII.

Led by head coach Alex Rivenburgh and assistant coach Chris Bright, our wrestling program is in action each winter when our student-athletes hit the mats, and pin opponents on their backs to see the sign hanging above them: “IF YOU CAN READ THIS, YOU’RE IN TROUBLE.” An exciting venue to watch a match, fans cheer the wrestlers on from the catwalk above.

 

Johnson Field at Pope Stadium

Our multi-sport athletic stadium includes an all-weather, six-lane outdoor track ringing Johnson Field, a brick field house with press box, stadium seating for 200-plus, and restrooms. 

Here, our football and boys lacrosse team play their games, and our track and field team practices and competes on the track, in hurdles, pole vault, high jump, discus and shot put.

Walking into the bowl of Pope Stadium for a game is an exciting moment, as is watching the football team rush the field from the hill.


Buck Langhorne Field at Meador Park

It has been said that “baseball is a game so fine, that it is only played on diamonds.” At VES, Buck Langhorne Field at Meador Park is no doubt a gem.  The home of VES Baseball is considered to be one of the finest playing surfaces in the Central Virginia area, with a bluegrass and perennial ryegrass infield turf and a fescue outfield providing the ultimate in spring baseball playing conditions.  

With dimensions set at 320’ down the lines and 340’ to dead center, “The Buck” is finely balanced between being known as a “hitter’s paradise” and a “pitcher’s best friend.”  Featuring beautiful in-ground brick dugouts, a full-sized batting tunnel, two pitching machines, three bullpen mounds, a state-of-the-art sound system and a newly refurbished scoreboard, the confines of Buck Langhorne Field at Meador Park create a functional, elegant and warm atmosphere for players and fans alike to enjoy the great game of baseball.

The baseball field was given by Lady Astor at the outset of WWII in memory of her brother, William Henry “Buck” Langhorne. Meador Park was given in honor of Max Meador at his retirement in the spring of 2002 by Janet and Bradford ’70 and Bradford Sauer Jr. ’99. 

 

Craighill Tennis Center

The Craighill Tennis Center includes eight concrete hard courts and a backboard for practice drills. Bleachers and benches accommodate fans.

 

Playing Fields: Soccer, Lacrosse, Field Hockey and Football

Moore Field, adjacent to Van Every Field House, is home to our girls field hockey and girls lacrosse teams.

Three dedicated soccer fields serve our boys and girls soccer teams. And our boys lacrosse team competes on Johnson Field.

The football team practices on a dedicated field next to our baseball complex.

Golf Home Course: Poplar Grove

The team practices on our home course of Colonial Hills Golf Club.

The 18-hole regulation-length course rating is 70, and features spectacular views, well-manicured bent grass tees and greens, Bermuda grass fairways, rolling terrain and water hazards. The course has a few quite challenging holes but is enjoyable for all skill levels. 

The club has a 12-tee driving range, practice and putting greens and a chipping area.