Overbrook Catholic School and St. Cecilia Academy, located on the Dominican Campus in West Nashville, have announced the launch of a K–12 athletic model beginning with the 2026–27 school year. The new structure creates a seamless pathway from introduction to athletics through higher levels of competition for boys and girls. 

The two schools have shared a campus since 1957, and while it is not uncommon for Overbrook Catholic faculty and staff to coach athletic teams at St. Cecilia Academy and vice versa, the K-12 Athletic Program initiative will deepen the longstanding partnership between the two schools by establishing a unified vision for developing student-athletes from kindergarten through 12th grade. This shift marks another major stride for athletics on the Dominican Campus following the recent announcement of the new Athletic and Wellness Center at St. Cecilia Academy. 

Over the past year, St. Cecilia conducted an extensive search for athletic leadership and identified Brad Bishop as the new SCA Athletic Director for the 2025-26 school year. As the schools finalized plans for a unified K–12 athletic model, Bishop emerged as the natural choice to lead the initiative and was appointed Senior Athletic Director, K–12. 

A Nashville native with more than 20 years of experience, Bishop has had a long career in coaching, sales, marketing, and education. Most recently, he was a faculty member at James Lawson High School, where he served as the varsity girls’ basketball coach and took that team to five region playoffs since 2019. Other coaching roles include positions at Hillwood High School, Hillsboro High School, Harpeth Hall School, St. Matthew School, and Trinity Basketball AAU. In 2020, he was named 12-AAA Coach of the Year.   

As Athletic Director for K-12, his responsibilities will expand to include athletic strategic vision and alignment across Overbrook Catholic and St. Cecilia. The new structure builds upon strong leadership already in place at each school. Bishop will lead the athletic department including Francis Horn (SCA), Ben Spiegelman (SCA), and David Marmolejo (OCS), each of whom will remain dedicated to their respective school communities. 

“One of the reasons I joined the Dominican Campus was due to the strong sense of community and the emphasis on developing well-rounded students grounded in faith. I believe athletics plays a key role in this development, and I’m eager to work tirelessly to raise the athletic program to complement the high academic standard of excellence that is already in place at Overbrook Catholic and St. Cecilia,” says Bishop. 

Through this K–12 model, students will experience more intentional progression in athletics from their earliest years through graduation. Coaches across both schools will share a common philosophy for skill development, sportsmanship, and character formation, creating continuity for student-athletes and stronger connections between the two school communities. At Overbrook Catholic School, boys and girls from kindergarten through 6th grade will be introduced to sports that are offered at the high school level in an age-appropriate way, preparing them for continued growth in junior high, high school, and beyond.  

Sister Dominic Quinn, O.P., President of Overbrook Catholic School and St. Cecilia Academy, shares, “This is an important step forward in strengthening the athletic program from kindergarten through 12th grade on our campus, and ensuring it has continuity through strong leadership—leaders who understand the role that athletics has in the development of young people and the opportunities that it offers to deepen the work of the mission of Catholic education, specifically in the area of striving for excellence through the practice of the virtues.” 

As an extension of the mission of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia, who lead both schools, student-athletes will be formed in mind, body, and spirit through competition, teamwork, and discipline. They will use their God-given gifts to the fullest, learn from challenges, and remember that their worth is rooted in being created in God’s image and in the love, service, and virtue they manifest.