For over a century, athletics have been an important thread in the fabric of the Harley community. Like the school itself, the program has grown, adapted, and evolved—always with the same goal in mind: to provide students with meaningful experiences that build character, teamwork, and pride.

In 1947, the Harley Tigers joined the Conference of Upstate Private Schools (CUPS), competing against regional independent schools including Pebble Hill, Lima, Park, Allendale, Lakemont, Industry, and DeVeaux. These matchups quickly became part of the rhythm of school life, and with competition came rivalries. None was more spirited than Harley’s rivalry with Allendale.

Conger Gabel ’62, P ’92, ’94, ’97, GP ’27, ’30, ’30, ’32 remembers the playful intensity of those years. During soccer season, Harley students would sneak over to Allendale’s field under cover of darkness to burn a giant “H” into the grass. Not to be outdone, Allendale students would later arrive at Harley to burn a massive “A” into our field. It was mischievous, competitive, but you could feel the school spirit in each of the teams.

A decade later, athletics at Harley entered a new era. In 1958, Dick Chapman P ’76, ’78 (Physical Education, 1958-66, 1967-82) joined the Physical Education department and soon became Athletic Director. Chapman believed athletics should be an integral part of student life, and under his leadership the program expanded dramatically. His vision led to the construction of a new field house and swimming pool in 1969, creating opportunities for more students to compete and grow through sports.

Around that same time, the school began formally recognizing athletic excellence. In 1968, the Ralph S. McKee Athletic Trophy was established to honor the student who demonstrates the greatest dedication, leadership, and ability in athletics. The first recipient was Peter Hamblin ’68, setting the standard for generations of Harley athletes to follow.

Then, in the fall of 1972, a historic shift took place.

Harley and Allendale Columbia—once fierce rivals—joined forces and merged their athletic programs. Competing together as the Harley-Allendale Columbia Braves, the partnership created new opportunities for student-athletes at both schools. HAC joined Section V athletics, being a part of the Wayne-Finger Lakes League for over 20 years and competing across a broad region of New York State.

For decades, HAC teams built a reputation for excellence. In 1997, another defining moment arrived when students from both schools voted to change the team name from the Braves to the Wolves. From that moment forward, the teams became known as the HAC Wolves, and the community proudly rallied as the Wolfpack.

Over the years that followed, HAC athletics flourished. Teams captured Section V and State championships in sports including swimming, cross country, track and field, tennis, and volleyball, and over the years we’ve added (golf) and subtracted (field hockey, bowling, football) a few sports. Just as importantly, HAC athletes consistently earned Scholar-Athlete honors, reflecting the program’s commitment to balancing academic excellence with athletic achievement.

In recognition of one of the program’s most influential leaders, the Dick Chapman Perseverance Award was established in 2022. The award honors members of the Harley community who embody Coach Chapman’s spirit of dedication and resilience. The first recipient was Ben Friedberg ’22.

Today, HAC fields teams in a wide range of sports—from baseball, basketball, and soccer to cross-country, tennis, golf, volleyball, swimming, and track and field.

Now, the next chapter in that story is about to begin. HAC Athletic Director, Mike Taillie (2022-present) shared this news several weeks ago:

Dear HAC Families,

Since the inception of the Harley-Allendale Columbia (HAC) athletic partnership, our mission has been to provide an inclusive, meaningful, and character-building experience for our student-athletes. Today, we are excited to share a significant evolution in that journey.

Starting in the Fall of 2026, the HAC Wolves will officially move from the Wayne-Finger Lakes League to the Private-Parochial League (PPL).

This transition is the result of a long-term strategic review aimed at enhancing our student-athletes’ experiences. By joining the PPL, we are aligning our program with schools that share our geographic footprint while also gaining flexibility in our schedule and competition.

The benefits of this move include:

· Prioritizing Wellness and Academics: HAC will now have the flexibility to compete with schools that are located within the immediate Rochester area. Shorter travel times mean students spend less time on buses and more time in the classroom and with their families after school.

· More “Home” Games (Even Away): With opponents located closer to our campuses, it will be easier for parents, guardians, friends, and alumni to attend away games and cheer on the Wolves without a long commute.

· Balanced Scheduling: The PPL offers greater flexibility, allowing us to better coordinate athletic schedules with the rich array of arts, music, and extracurricular programs that define the Harley and Allendale Columbia experiences.

While our league is changing, the core of HAC Athletics remains the same. We will continue to compete in Section V. This means our teams remain eligible for sectional championships and state-level play.

We are incredibly proud of our coaches and athletes for their hard work during this transition. We look forward to seeing you in the stands—closer to home—starting in the 2026-2027 season!

Go Wolves!

Sincerely,

Michael Taillie and Cory Lamberton (HAC Assistant Athletic Director, AC)