Athletics

OLPH offers a well balanced Physical Education Curriculum for all students in grades K-8 as well as a middle school athletic program under the management of our Athletic Director,  Melissa Martinez.  OLPH is a member of the Archdiocesan Interscholastic Athletic League. 

We will be offering the following sports for the 2019-2020 School Year: 
 
FALL: Volleyball A and B Squads, Football, 8-man soccer (co-ed max of 14), Cross-Country
WINTER: Basketball Girls and Boys A and B squads
SPRING: Golf, Track, Softball, Baseball
 
Soccer try-outs will be Mon. August 12 (3-5pm) and Tues. August 13 (4-6pm)
Volleyball try-outs will be Wed. and Thur. August 14-15 (4-6pm).  The girls will report to the gym immediately after school.   
Football practice will begin Mon. August 5 @4:30pm.
Cross Country Practice Dates and Times TBD   
 
All athletes must have a current physical on file before trying-out for any sport.  Cross-Country, Track and Golf are open to incoming 5^th grade students.  We will be offering at least one date this summer where students can sign-up to come and get a physical.  As soon as this date is locked in, information will be sent out to sign-up.   
 
As many of you know, AIAL voted to move 11-man soccer to a winter sport to align with the high schools.  After receiving input from multiple parties, OLPH will participate in 8-man soccer this fall.

SCHOOL SPORTS PHILOSOPHY
The middle school sports program is provided to help foster spiritual, moral, intellectual, social and physical development in our students by offering a competitive team sports environment. Our sports policy strives to balance the drive to win and succeed in athletic competition with the Christian principles that are the foundation of our educational program.
 
We encourage all students to consider participation in our athletic programs as opportunities arise throughout the year.
 
The OLPH Athletic program provides a variety of experiences that enhance the development of favorable habits and attitudes that will prepare students for adult life. The interscholastic athletic program shall be conducted in accordance with existing Archdiocesan Interscholastic Athletic League (AIAL) and OLPH policies, rules and regulations.
 
While OLPH takes great pride in winning, it does not condone “winning at any cost.” It discourages any and all pressures which might lead to neglecting good sportsmanship and good mental health. At all times, the athletic program must be conducted as an educational activity of learning.
 
The goal of the OLPH Athletic Program is to assist students in the development of Christian character through their participation in sports.
 
Parents and players are obligated to acknowledge the fact that “Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School athletic programs are competitive.”

PERFORMANCE AND PLAYING TIME
The OLPH Catholic School Athletic Program is a competitive program.  The coaches of each sport have full discretion when determining playing time and control of continued membership on a particular team.
 
The student-athlete will learn:

• To work with others.  A person must develop self -discipline, respect for authority, and the spirit of hard work and sacrifice.  The team and its objectives must be placed higher than personal desires.

• To be successful.  Our society is very competitive.  We do not always win, but we succeed when we continually strive to do so.  You can learn to accept defeat only by striving to win with earnest dedication.

• To develop sportsmanship. To accept any defeat like a true sportsman, knowing we have done our best, we must learn to treat others as we would have others treat us. We need to develop desirable social traits, including emotional control, honesty, cooperation and dependability.

• To improve.  Continual improvement is an essential component of good citizenship. As an athlete, you must establish a goal and you must constantly try to achieve that goal. Try to improve in the skills and knowledge required and those personal traits that enhance the success of a team.

• To enjoy athletics.  It is necessary for athletes to enjoy participation, to acknowledge all of the personal rewards to be derived from athletics, and to give sufficiently of themselves in order to persevere and improve the program.

• To develop desirable personal health habits.  To be an active, contributing citizen, it is important to obtain a high degree of physical fitness through exercise and good health habits, and to develop the desire to maintain this level of physical fitness after formal competition has been completed.