Harker's Lower School Athletics Brochure

Lower School Athletics | GRADES 4-5

by

the numbers

FALL

Late-Aug.-Mid-Oct.

Flag Football Swimming

Girls Softball

EARLY WINTER

Mid-Oct.-Mid-Dec.

Boys Basketball

Girls Soccer

LATE WINTER

Jan.-Mid-Mar.

Boys Soccer

Girls Basketball

SPRING

Mid-Mar.-Mid May

Girls Volleyball Baseball Track Meet

LOWER SCHOOL ATHLETICS

Athletics are an important part of any adolescent experience – from learning new physical skills and sportsmanship to simply enjoying the activity and competition.

Many students play sports for the sheer love of the game. But in our sports programs at Harker, on top of the thrill of competing and having fun with friends, students experience benefits that support their academic, social and emotional growth in lower school. Our coaches, teachers and club leaders work together to ensure our students are performing well in their academics and extracurricular activities. We schedule practices and club meetings at different times so that your student can be on the swim team and the debate team without skipping a beat.

The lower school program is structured to provide all interested students with an educational, enjoyable and appropriate experience. In order to accomplish these goals, we have created a structure that combines interscholastic opportunities for the most advanced students and a spirited and instructional intramural program for students who need to concentrate more on sport development.

INTRAMURAL PROGRAM

In the lower school we will form an instructional and developmental intramural program in sports were we have ample enrollment. These programs may combine students from grades 4-5 in order to make it viable and fun for all. The goal of the intramural program is to help and support the developing athletes in order to better prepare them for an interscholastic experience in the future and to meet the needs of recreational athletes.

• Practices are held Monday – Friday, 3:45-5 p.m. Students are expected to attend practice daily but mandated attendance days are, Tuesday,

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Go Eagles!

COACHES

Harker’s coaches do more than just coach their sports. They serve as role models and mentors, helping our student athletes develop into well-rounded individuals who are ready to lead teams, compete and succeed in the world.

With experience in collegiate, professional and international sports teams, all of our coaches are qualified to offer your teen an excellent athletic experience. They are also supported with professional development opportunities to continue their growth in coaching our student athletes.

They hold NFHS (National Federation of State High School Associations) coaching certifications, comprising extensive training in areas including:

• coaching fundamentals

• first aid and CPR

• concussion awareness.

THERESA SMITH

Lower School Athletic Director

Theresa Smith has been at Harker since 1990. She coached the upper school girls volleyball team to the CCS championship in 2019 and the Northern California championship in 2007, and has amassed more than 350 wins as the varsity coach. In 2007 she was awarded the Positive Coaching Alliance Double Goal Coach award. Ms. Smith was inducted into the St. Francis High School Hall of Fame in 1992, one of only two female all-around athletes ever so honored. Most recently the 2021 CCS Volleyball Coach of the Year and the 2021 California Volleyball Coach of the Year. She played volleyball, basketball and softball at De Anza College, and attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo on a full volleyball scholarship, playing basketball there as well. She was chosen as the Peninsula Times Tribune’s High School Athlete of the Year in 1983 and played on the USA Amateur Olympic volleyball team that won the gold medal in Australia in 1990. Contact: