FAQ
SPHS Athletics FAQ
South Pasadena High School (SPHS) believes that athletics play an integral role in the mental and physical development of young adults, and we are committed to providing our students the best possible athletic environment from our experienced and dedicated coaches and trainers to offering excellent athletic facilities and equipment.
Renovated in 2021, SPHS’s state-of-the-art facilities include quality areas for training and performance, such as new and updated sports facilities for all competitive sports, training and weight rooms, and a sports film room. Supported by a spirited parent booster club, SPHS student athletes enjoy participating in competitive athletics and develop many skills including sportsmanship, self-discipline, and teamwork.
Recent investments in coaches, trainers, and updated training and competition spaces have produced high-caliber teams that are appealing to student athletes who seek to develop athletic and life skills in a competitive environment and to the many supporters who enjoy watching high school interscholastic competition.
The SPHS Athletics Department offers varsity team participation in 22 CIF-sanctioned programs. In 2022-2023, 87% of the teams/individual athletes made postseason CIF appearances. We look forward to many more successful seasons in the future.
Go, Tigers!
Q: Do high school coaches recruit players outside of the District to play on SPHS teams?
A: High school coaches do not actively recruit players outside of the District to play sports at South Pasadena High School. Students looking to attend SPHS may:
- Matriculate from South Pasadena Middle School;
- Transfer from a private school if already living in the school district;
- Move into a residence within the school district;
- Apply for an interdistrict permit after being released from the school district of their residence
Once a school change has been initiated and approved through the SPUSD Interdistrict transfer process, the student is entitled to participate in all extracurricular activities, including athletics. Athletic guidelines for transfer students are based on the California Interscholastic Federation Administrative Guidelines for CIF-Member Schools. SPHS adheres to all CIF guidelines for transfer students.
Q: Does a student need to be proficient in a sport to tryout?
A: High school athletics is competitive athletics. All students are encouraged to tryout for a sport for which they have an interest. Not all students that tryout earn a spot on the team. The level of proficiency varies with each sport. Most sports have different levels such as varsity and jv that allow for participation by students with varying proficiency levels.
Q: How is playing time determined for in season student athletes?
A: *See answer above for Does a student need to be proficient in a sport to tryout?*
Playing time is not equal for all student athletes. Each season brings new players and new roles. Each program’s coaching staff determines who plays and how many minutes based on a number of criteria including: experience, level of proficiency, minimum grade requirements, teamwork including participation/effort; and leadership among other factors.Q: What are the CIF sitting out periods (SOP) for student athletes who transfer into a high school program?
A: Please review the Administrative Guidelines for CIF-Member schools for additional details about sitting out periods. SPHS teams follow CIF guidelines related to sit out periods.Q: May students who are not enrolled in the District participate in SPHS Athletics summer programs?
A: Students who have the intent to enroll at South Pasadena High School may participate in Summer Programs as long as both the school that they were previously enrolled in and SPHS have finished the academic school year. Students may only take part in a Summer Program at one school.
Q: Are SPHS coaches evaluated and how frequently?
Q: Is there a summer commitment with athletic teams?
Q: What is the season for each sport?
Winter Sports: (mid Nov. thru mid Feb.): Boys & Girls Basketball, Boys & Girls Soccer, Girls Water Polo.
Spring Sports: (mid Feb. thru mid May): Coed Badminton, Baseball, Softball, Boys & Girls Swimming, Boys Tennis, Boys Volleyball, Boys Golf, Boys & Girls Track.
Q: Do students receive PE credit for participating on an athletic team?
A: Yes, students that participate in a complete sports season earn 5 PE credits.
Q: What is the time commitment for each sport?
A: During the season of sport, teams usually practice 2 hours per day, 5 days per week.Some teams practice after school while others practice in the early evenings. Also, some teams hold Saturday workouts. Practices during the competitive season are mandatory.
Q: Is it possible to play two sports?
A: It usually is not possible to play two sports during the same season. However, it is very possible to play two or three sports during the school year. If students play more than one sport, during the summer, you can workout with each team. The coaches will help set up a schedule where your time is shared with each team.
Q: Is it possible to participate in Athletics and be a member of the Band?
A: Yes. It can work out. Band competitions and athletic competitions sometimes fall on the same day. When this happens please communicate with both programs in advance to determine what event you will attend.
GO TIGERS!