Covenant Names New Athletics Department Team

We are grateful for the leadership we have now assembled. Their varied gifts and experiences, along with their unified commitment to our gospel-centered mission, will ensure the growth and success of Covenant Athletics for years to come. 

At the forefront of this team is our new Covenant Athletic Director, Mr. Patrick Estes. Patrick brings a wealth of experience in athletics and leadership to Covenant. As a former football player for the University of Virginia, Patrick was drafted by the NFL’s  San Francisco 49ers, where he played for three years. In alignment with Covenant’s mission, Patrick will develop and implement a strategic plan for the Athletic Department that will serve as the roadmap for the pursuit of athletic excellence. Patrick is married to Lauren, a second-grade teacher at our Birdwood Campus, and they have three children, all of whom attend Covenant: Kaleb (’27), Noah (’28), and Reese (’30).

Patrick’s selection is the result of a comprehensive nationwide search that began in late March and included the careful evaluation of over sixteen qualified candidates from Virginia, New York, Massachusetts, Ohio, Tennessee, and Georgia. We also relied heavily on a search committee comprised of Covenant parents, coaches, and administrators. The members spent hours evaluating candidate resumes and profiles, interviewing promising candidates, and praying for the school and God’s wisdom throughout this process. I am grateful for the committee members’ dedication and commitment to our school.

Patrick will work closely with members of our senior administration as we continue to effectively engage our students and shape their understanding of the Gospel of Christ. Because a strong athletic program is critical to that mission, Patrick will work alongside our Director of Advancement and Community Engagement, Dan Kuecker, as we launch our Eagle Fund this fall to build support for our continued commitment to excellence in athletics. 

In addition to Patrick’s robust leadership, we are pleased to welcome two more members to the Athletics Department team.

Ashley, a Charlottesville native, was a multi-sport high school athlete and Division I college basketball player, who brings both middle and high school coaching experience from Upward Sports and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Throughout Ashley’s life, she has seen the tremendous value athletics can provide in the development of young men and women. Ashley is excited about her new role and looks forward to elevating our athletic programs based on Covenant’s core values.

Randall brings more than twenty years of experience in education as a teacher and coach. Randall holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Physical Education from Longwood University and a Master of Education degree in Administration and Supervision from James Madison University. Randall wants to successfully establish and grow meaningful relationships with coaches, students, parents, other athletic directors, and official organizations, such as VIAAA. Randall is married to Elizabeth and they have two children who attend Covenant: Christian (‘34) and Ellie (‘37).

We are grateful for the growth of our Athletics program and for these individuals as we seek to teach the next generation to live well.

Go Eagles!