Athlete of the Issue: Will Machnik

CURTESY OF DEERFIELD COMMUNICATIONS

Playing both sports since he was a child, Will Machnik ’26 is a four-year starter and senior captain of Deerfield’s Boys Varsity Football Team. On top of this achievement, Machnik currently enters his second year of captainship on the Academy’s Boys Varsity Baseball Team, for which he also is been a four-year starter. During his time at Deerfield, Machnik emphasized that through traditions such as ‘Milk and Cookies’ and everyday team activities like team dinner, football facilitates the formation of incredibly close bonds between teammates and coaches. He mentioned that one of his goals as a captain is to continue fostering this team culture. In order to do such, Machnik noted that “everyone has a big role on the team… the kind of leader I try to be on the team is one that makes sure everyone CURTESY OF DEERFIELD COMMUNICATIONS . is held accountable and stepping up where they should be.” When further asked about his leadership style, Machnik described his tendency to “encourage players to do the right thing and help them better themselves along the way.” He described this trait as one of his strengths as a captain. Varsity Football Co-Captain Barret Adams ’27 described Machnik’s leadership as “reliable,” noting that “he always makes sure everyone is included on and off the field.” Adams, playing both baseball and football with Machnik, further added that he has cultivated team culture by developing meaningful connections with all his teammates. Additionally, Adams believes that Machnik’s proctorship in the sophomore dorm Scaife “adds to the team bonding” and helps him build purposeful relationships with the underclassmen on the team. Boys Varsity Baseball Head Coach and College Advisor Patrick Moriarty described Machnik as a student who “leads by example on and off the field.” Moriarity further added that Machnik possesses a “strong moral compass,” which contributes to his stability as a leader. Moriarty noted that Machnik “buys into the program’s philosophies and principles,” which has allowed him to “perform his best in big games.” Continuing on the topic of the baseball team’s philosophy, Moriarity said that throughout his time on the team, Machnik’s leadership set an example for his peers; through his actions, Machnik encouraged his teammates to engage in the team’s culture and practice good sportsmanship. Regarding Machnik’s leadership on the football team, post-graduate student Michael McColgan ’26, the starting quarterback for the 2025-26 Boys Varsity Football Team, commended Machnik for being someone who is “very caring for the team and always supporting everyone, whether he is on the field or off the field.” On top of Machnik being described as making an effort to form meaningful relationships with his teammates and coaches, he also leads both teams through his performance and role on the field. During the football season, Machnik plays both corner and running back, which McColgan described as especially commendable. Moreover, McColgan attributes Machnik’s leadership on the field to his ability to “play both sides of the ball without complaint.” The role Machnik plays on the football field is distinctly different from that which he plays during baseball season. In the spring, Machnik acts as the Boys Varsity Baseball starting catcher. On the baseball field, Machnik is responsible for keeping the ball in play and working to prevent steals on the field. On top of scoring in recent football games and the Academy’s win against the Loomis Chaffee School’s Varsity Football Team, one of Machnik’s most recent athletic achievements includes his dual-sport commitment to Williams College. When asked about his recruitment process, Machnik stated, “I just took football and baseball as far as I could and was open to being recruited for both of them.” He recalled, “Football was my top priority and that’s what got me into Williams originally, and then baseball followed soon after that.” While Machnik anticipates a strong future at Williams, he also expressed continued excitement and hope about the rest of the football season. He further noted that he looks forward to the predicted success during the baseball season.