It's Bigger than "Just Sports"

“The more energy you place into that atmosphere, the stronger the connection they feel.” – Dwon Clifton

By: Olivia Elliott

The gym hums with energy, games animate the court, and music sets the rhythm — it’s Moonlight Madness, one of the athletic department’s main events to kick off the winter sports season. Behind the scenes are Dwon Clifton, Carrie Rice, and the New Garden Friends School (NGFS) athletics department, whose dedication turns every moment into a space where students, families, and staff connect, cheer, and celebrate together.

Clifton’s journey to becoming NGFS’s athletic director is rooted in a lifetime love of sports. As a student athlete at Clemson and UNCG, he experienced firsthand the commitment, accountability, respect and effort that come with being part of a team. Later, working with Baylor University, he honed his leadership skills and learned how to build programs that emphasize connection, engagement, and community.

At New Garden, he brings that experience to the athletics program, and it is visible in every game, practice, and event. “Simply, it’s about them. It's about connecting in a way that provides the right substance for these student athletes, and it really takes a village,” he said. “The more energy you place into that atmosphere, the stronger the connection they feel.” 
Under his leadership, the athletics department has created a framework where students, families, and staff come together to support one another and carry lessons learned from sports into everyday life.

The athletics department has cultivated more than just competitive teams; they’ve built a family-like community where students, coaches, and families support one another, across all sports. Whether it’s basketball cheering on volleyball, volleyball showing up for soccer, or the entire cross country waiting at the finish line for the last runner, these moments create a culture of connection, respect, and encouragement.

Clifton explains, “The biggest thing is connection… Sports has always been a place that has allowed for very organic and real connection. When it's done right, that is what keeps them wanting to come back.” 

Students echo that sentiment. Shane Read Drake, a 10th grader at NGFS shared, “Seeing the other teams on the field and on the court, you can just feel that energy… coming to support them… it’s actually made me more interested in those sports.” 

Tedder Rice, an 11th grader at NGFS adds, “It’s like everybody is just a big family, and the support that basketball gets from volleyball, and volleyball gets from basketball, soccer gets from volleyball, soccer gets from basketball, just the family-like support system that everyone is built on is super important.”

Recognition and celebration are also key parts of the New Garden athletics experience. Clifton says, “The past contributions of time, resources, the cheers, and showing up for a game, it all has an extreme impact on their lives.” Whether it’s cheering for a teammate’s big play, celebrating a hard-fought win, or simply acknowledging effort at the end of a game, these moments reinforce the sense of community. 

Clifton emphasizes the lasting impact of these moments: “He will remember winning a conference championship and the gym being packed,” he says, nodding to Rice on his left. “She’ll remember spiking the ball and hearing everyone go crazy. Staying after the game, with the music still playing and her friends still here, and now it looks like PE… and the adults in the room choosing to keep the lights on a little longer, giving them time to just stay connected,” he adds, gesturing toward Read Drake on his right. 

By creating spaces where students feel celebrated, valued, and a sense of belonging, the athletics department strengthens connections and helps every athlete feel like an essential part of the family. In doing so, it brings our mission to life as an inclusive educational community that honors and develops each person’s gifts. This approach provides students with unique opportunities and meaningful connections with both peers and community members; one of many things that makes New Garden a truly special place. 

Connection doesn’t happen in isolation; it thrives when the entire community is involved. Families, friends, and volunteers all play a critical role in creating the vibrant atmosphere that makes events like Moonlight Madness so memorable. “If I’m a parent of a kid who’s participating, if I’m a parent of a kid who’s a friend of a kid that’s participating, I want to pour into that community and into that experience,” Clifton said.

Every effort, from cheering in the stands to volunteering at the concession stand, taking tickets at admissions, or helping run games, contributes to the energy that students feel on the court and field. Even seemingly ‘small’ acts of participation: like parents volunteering as line judges, or keeping the clock during a volleyball game, make a significant impact in a program that relies on shared support.

Community support extends beyond athletics, too. Clifton notes that student athletes themselves show up for other programs, like drama performances, reinforcing the sense that being part of the New Garden community means caring, contributing, and connecting. Through the dedication of families, volunteers, and staff, the athletics department fosters an environment where students feel supported, celebrated, and inspired to engage both on and off the field.

At New Garden, athletics isn’t just about winning games; it’s about teaching students to care, both on and off the court. Clifton explains, “We have a philosophy. We want to teach kids to care about life, and care about sports, but really, teaching them to care about sports, we’re teaching them how to care about life. The commitment, accountability, respect, and effort that they give… that is the acronym of CARE for us.”

Through participation in sports, students learn valuable lessons in character and resilience. Winning isn’t the overall goal; acquiring a strong sense of commitment, accountability, respect, and effort is. “Being able to step on a court of competition and walk away with the respect of your opponent because of how you engaged in competition is the ultimate goal,” Clifton notes. By emphasizing these values, the athletics program encourages students to approach challenges thoughtfully, embrace accountability, and develop habits that extend far beyond the game.

Clifton also emphasizes the long-term impact of this approach: “I think what it is really going to take is for us to push our mission, teaching them to care about sports, teaching them to care about life through sports. I think that will fill them with enough substance to make them want to stay connected even when they’re gone.” By integrating athletic growth with life lessons, the program helps students develop both skill and character, preparing them to engage meaningfully with their community now and in the future.

The energy and care cultivated in New Garden athletics doesn’t stop at the gym doors. Events like Moonlight Madness provide a visible reminder of how connection and community extend across the entire school. By creating opportunities for students, families, and staff to engage, Clifton and the athletics department are fostering a culture where support, respect, and celebration are part of daily life; not just game day.

This culture also strengthens connections with the broader New Garden community. Families, alumni, and volunteers see their contributions: whether cheering, fundraising, or giving time, directly impact students’ experiences and growth. 

The result is a self-sustaining cycle: the more the community invests, the more students thrive, and the more everyone feels a part of something larger. Through this approach, Clifton and the athletics department demonstrate that sports are not just about competition, but about building lasting relationships, celebrating effort, and creating a school culture that inspires care and engagement for years to come.

Moonlight Madness isn’t just the kickoff to the winter sports season — it’s a celebration of connection, community, and character at New Garden. Under Clifton’s leadership, the athletics department has created an environment where students, families, and staff come together to cheer, support, and thrive.

Don’t miss the excitement: Moonlight Madness will take place on Friday, November 7 this year, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. Come experience the games, the music, and the spirit of a community that shows up for its student athletes… and see firsthand how connection and celebration set the tone for a season full of growth and achievement.