Josh Loeffler ’99 was most recently named the Assistant Coach/Chief of Administrative Staff for the Cincinnati men's basketball team.
How did you choose a career in college coaching?
I have loved sports as long as I can remember and I don’t think I ever could envision life without involvement in athletics on some level. The push toward coaching came, I think, from the incredible relationships that I have been lucky to have with my coaches. This started with my father, who coached my whole life, and continued with the great mentors I had leading our teams at Friends. Bob Tattersall, Brian Fahey, Jon Huxtable, and their assistants like Bill Harman, Dick Kittle, Rob Tattersall, Jim Friel, and others were incredible people to be around. They always made me want to be better and to do my best for the people around me. I think I realize now how special that is – not many kids get to have great coaches in three high school sports. They became and are still incredible role models and I want to be as good a coach and mentor as they were. You know, the real reason I wanted to come to Friends in sixth grade is because Coach T took my brother and I around on a tour of all the athletics facilities when we came to an admissions open house. I just knew I wanted to play for him. Best decision ever.
What are your current interests and passions?
I really spend the majority of my time outside of basketball and the university with my kids. We have a six and two year old so we are pretty busy with them. I am really lucky in that I have a job that incorporates so many things that I love. I get to interact with student-athletes, coach, watch a ton of basketball, support other teams at the school and stay really active. I still play basketball when I can. I have always enjoyed interacting with people so I try to meet up with friends and family as much as possible.
How has WFS impacted you since graduation?
First and foremost, I just wouldn’t be where I am without Friends. I transferred in and was immediately challenged to grow as a person and student. And then, my teachers and advisers were just incredibly important in helping me move on from Friends and gain admission to Swarthmore. I would not be working at Johns Hopkins if Friends hadn’t pushed me to become a better student and person. I think that there are two things that I appreciate most from my experience at Friends that help me today. First, is the influence WFS had on me to be open to new or different ideas and ways of thinking and to embrace people from all backgrounds. WFS constantly pushed us to be accepting and empathetic. Secondly, my teachers and coaches at WFS were tough but cared about me. I think they taught me that you can demand excellence without compromising values and while treating people well. I try to carry that with me at all times.
What are your favorite WFS memories?
It’s really the little moments that were barely moments with friends and teachers at WFS that I remember. Sitting in Mr. Brown’s advisory talking about nothing, being in the locker room goofing off after football practice, trying to talk my way out of being told to leave the library for not being quiet…these are the things that really stand out. WFS, really, was a pretty incredible place to grow up and that is largely due to the people there.
Sixth graders recently spent time off campus for a morning of service activities in the local community. These trips included volunteering at the Food Bank of Delaware, Faithful Friends Animal Rescue, Rockland Place, Guardian Angels Daycare, and Alapocas State Park.
During Earth Day at WFS, preschoolers worked on beautifying their playground and fourth graders picked up trash around the athletic facilities. We thank these students for their stewardship!
The lower school recently received soil from WasteWell, a local company that collects the lower school's compost. Students used the soil to re-pot classroom plants and will also contribute soil to the school garden!
Before the Class of 2024 heads off on their senior explorations next week, they attend a series of seminars ("Senior Seminars") aimed at giving them tools for adulthood.
The WFS Model UN Club, accompanied by faculty advisor Nick Childers, recently sent a delegation of five students to the inaugural Tower Hill Model UN Conference.
Upper school environmental science students built model carbon capture algae farms as part of their study of climate change mitigation. They developed ways to measure algae growth using microscopes and a spectrophotometer.
Congratulations to our community members who performed at last night's Informal Concert! This concert is designed to showcase the talent of our students, parents, and faculty in an informal, yet serious, chamber concert or recital format.
Wilmington Friends School hosted its second 275th Anniversary Webinar series on Monday, April 8, titled “Leadership, Teamwork, and Quaker Values from the World of Sports."
Congratulations to eighth graders Maya Dobson, Lindsey Forman, Cooper Miller, Victor Montejo, Levi Sawdon, and Sofia Velastegui-Fratticci who contributed to IMAZINE 2023, the annual Delaware Libraries teen literary and artistic magazine! Click here to check it out.
Congratulations to the cast and crew of the upper school play, Radium Girls! This fast-paced ensemble piece featured 14 student actors playing multiple roles to create more than 30 characters. Bravo!
WFS welcomed Drew Smith, the Executive Director of Friends Council on Education, to campus to lead a discussion among our community members titled “275 Years of Quaker Education: What's it all about? Quakerism 101 for Parents.”
Each year, 3rd grade students utilize computer-aided design software (CAD) to replicate a renowned landmark from the various states that they are studying in Social Studies
Statement of Nondiscrimination as to Student Enrollment
Wilmington Friends School admits students of any race, color, gender, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students of these schools. Wilmington Friends School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national and ethnic origin in administration of their educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs.