Athenian Athletics: Summer and Fall 2021

Team First

We encourage all students to participate and represent the Owls in interscholastic athletics.
At Athenian, we develop student-athletes who are positive role models with a strong sense of fair play and commitment to their school, teammates, and coaches. Athenian coaches stress team over individual achievement, fostering social bonds across grade levels. In addition to sports-specific skills, students develop self-discipline, self-esteem, and ability to work as part of a team.  The interscholastic athletic program is an integral part of the education program at Athenian and approximately 80 percent of Upper School students participate in at least one sport.

Athletics at Athenian: Summer and Fall 2021

What a year it has been! We are excited to announce that we will be able to return to a more traditional schedule this summer with our open workouts in anticipation for our fall athletics program. Our league and conference is planning to launch a robust interscholastic athletic schedule for 2021-2022. 

Summer is upon us, and we are looking forward to meeting all of our the new students this coming fall as well as reconnecting with our returning students. Summer programs will be open to both Middle School and Upper School students. 

Upper School Athletics

As summer begins, we wanted to give you some information on upper school fall sports and upper school/middle school summer open workouts. The summer moves quickly and the first day of upper school fall practice will be here soon. The information below will help you and the coaches coordinate your summer and end of the summer plans. 

The upper school fall season begins on Monday, August 16 and will include Cross Country, Men’s Soccer, Women’s Tennis, and Women’s Volleyball. We understand that some of you may still be on vacation during the first week of practice and that the boarders will not arrive on campus until the following week. Please communicate with the coaches if you cannot attend the first week of practice, and please try and plan your vacations around these dates if possible.

Boarding students, we are eager for your arrival and though the dorms do not officially open until August 23, we would like to partner you with a host family for a week to help support you in attending the pre-season practices. Please let us know if you would like to arrive early for athletics and live with an Athenian family for one week. Contact Josie Chapman with questions.

Middle School Athletics

The Athenian Middle School competes with other schools in interscholastic athletics in a number of sports, including: Ultimate Frisbee, soccer, basketball, volleyball, and flag football. Practices take place during the school day’s elective period and games occur after school. You and the students will receive more information about all athletic opportunities in the fall. Please reach out to the Middle School Athletic Director Nabil Saad with questions.
Our priorities will not be fully realized in a year or two, and maybe not even five. We are, however, committed to moving boldly toward our vision for the school, one that fulfills our promise to each generation through a curriculum that is dynamic, experiential and relevant, and a culture that supports a deep sense of belonging and shared commitment to our founding pillars and diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice (DEIS).

Summer Athletics at Athenian

Athenian offers summer sports-specific training opportunities run by the team coaches. These opportunities are for current and incoming Middle School and Upper School Athenian students. 

COVID-19 protocols are still in place. We are still requiring masks to be worn for all indoor sports, but we no longer require COVID-19 testing for fully vaccinated participants. If you are not fully vaccinated, we will require you take an antigen test before arriving at the gym and show proof of a negative test. Families will need to provide their own antigen test, which can be purchased over the counter at CVS or online at www.cvs.com. Outdoor sports will not require antigen tests for those that are not fully vaccinated. Those that are fully vaccinated will not need to wear a mask for Cross Country/Run Club while running, but everyone must arrive on campus with masks.

Run Club (no cost):
We will be preparing for the cross-country season! All runners planning to join us this summer should send an email to Zach Holt (zholt@athenian.org) to let him know when to expect you initially. You will also be added to the Athenian XC email list and will receive the training plans via email.
  • Dates: June 14-July 15 and July 26th-August 13 
  • Days/Times: M/T/Th 7:30 AM – 8:50  AM
  • No Run Club the Week of July 5
  • Location: Main Hall 

Fee-Based Programs:

Women’s Volleyball, Women’s Basketball and Men’s Basketball.
Cost: $100 for unlimited attendance. Payment will be through the Athenian Business Office via incidentals. All programs are subject to change based on signups.

Women’s Volleyball:

This summer we will be offering fun open gym times for volleyball players. There will be plenty of opportunities for players to work on skills and team play, it will be fun and action-packed! All skill levels are encouraged to participate. Please contact Jennifer Plumley for more information. 
  • Dates: June 15–July 29
  • Days/Times: T/Th 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
  • Location: Athenian MPR (Small Gym, with AC)
  • No open gyms the week of July 5
  • Register here

Women’s Basketball:

Join the Athenian Girls Basketball Coaches as they hoop it up and improve your basketball skills! Specialized drills will help you become better at shooting, ball-handling, passing, and defense. The 12-session clinic is not limited to just on the court basketball drills and coaching. Attendees will also receive conditioning and strengthening sessions throughout the clinic. Drills will be videotaped to provide additional feedback. Please email Dave Rosenberg with questions.
  • Dates: June 14th – July 28th
  • Days/Times: M/W 4:30-6:30 PM
  • Location: Athenian Gym
  • No open gyms the week of July 5
  • Register here

Men’s Basketball:

Come out and join the Men’s Basketball coaches for Open Gym time! We are looking forward to some action packed gym time this summer. We will skill, drill and play. It’s a great opportunity to work hard on skills, team drills and lots of game like playing. All skill levels are encouraged to participate. For more information contact Jordan Boreman.
  • Dates: June 15–July 29
  • Days/Times: T/Th 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
  • Location: Athenian Gym
  • No open gyms the week of July 5
  • Register here
Our priorities will not be fully realized in a year or two, and maybe not even five. We are, however, committed to moving boldly toward our vision for the school, one that fulfills our promise to each generation through a curriculum that is dynamic, experiential and relevant, and a culture that supports a deep sense of belonging and shared commitment to our founding pillars and diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice (DEIS).

Physical and Emergency Release

All student-athletes must have their Physical/Emergency Release form completed and turned in in order to participate in the fall, winter and spring sports seasons.  Please make your physical appointments early and turn these forms in to the school nurse or registration office. This form is in your online registration packet. Those who have a current physical on file can participate. 

Any new Sophomores or Juniors planning on playing a sport must fill out a selection of forms in order to be eligible to play. Many thanks if you have already completed this. All new 10th and 11th graders, please click here to fill out the necessary paperwork.

Our priorities will not be fully realized in a year or two, and maybe not even five. We are, however, committed to moving boldly toward our vision for the school, one that fulfills our promise to each generation through a curriculum that is dynamic, experiential and relevant, and a culture that supports a deep sense of belonging and shared commitment to our founding pillars and diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice (DEIS).

Athenian School Coaching Staff

Below you will find contact information for our 22-23 school year coaches. You can view the sports schedules on the athletics calendar of the school’s website here.

Athletic Director: Darek Cliff (dcliff@athenian.org)
Assistant Athletic Director: Zach Holt (zholt@athenian.org) 
Middle School Athletic Director: Nabil Saad (nsaad@athenian.org)
Basketball: Jordan Boreman (jboreman@athenian.org)
Basketball (Women's): Kavi Reddy (kreddy@athenian.org)
Baseball: Matt Crudale (mcrudale@athenian.org)
Cross Country: Zach Holt (zholt@athenian.org)
Golf: Matt Powers (mpowers@athenian.org) and Bill Carrozzella (wcarrozzella@athenian.org)
Lacrosse: Kavi Reddy (kreddy@athenian.org)
Soccer: Matt Zahner (mzahner@athenian.org)
Soccer (Women's): Adam Thorman (athorman@athenian.org)
Swimming: Darek Cliff (dcliff@athenian.org)
Tennis (Women’s): Glen Oetman (goetman@athenian.org)
Tennis (Men’s): Glen Oetman (goetman@athenian.org)
Track and Field: Zach Holt (zholt@athenian.org)
Volleyball (Women’s): Jennifer Plumley (jplumley@athenian.org)
Wrestling: Ted Webb (twebb@athenian.org)
Our priorities will not be fully realized in a year or two, and maybe not even five. We are, however, committed to moving boldly toward our vision for the school, one that fulfills our promise to each generation through a curriculum that is dynamic, experiential and relevant, and a culture that supports a deep sense of belonging and shared commitment to our founding pillars and diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice (DEIS).

Teams & Schedules

List of 1 items.

  • Representing the Owls

    Interscholastic Athletics
    Athenian competes with approximately 30 schools in the North Coast Section Division 5. Athenian teams are consistently invited to the North Coast Section end-of-season tournaments, placing in the top half of our division. In recent years, Athenian’s athletic success has brought home numerous league championships and we continue to be one of the stronger athletic programs in the North Coast Section Division 5. Our success has afforded many of our student-athletes to continue playing at the college level.

Athletic Facilities

Athenian is proud to be home to some of the best athletics facilities in the area. Our Middle and Upper School students enjoy the use of a turf soccer field, pristine baseball and softball fields, a swimming pool, two gyms, an athletics & fitness center, and a one-mile trail. We partner with the Blackhawk Tennis Villas and Diablo Golf Course for our tennis and golf teams as well as a local school’s track for track and field.

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  • Owls in College

    Once an Owl, Always an Owl
    Since 2011, our student-athletes have continued playing their sport at the following schools:

Natalie K. '16

From this newfound drive and determination, I have seen significant improvements in my swimming that I never thought was possible and a sense of accomplishment, no matter the outcome, because I know I have done my best. This lesson (from my coach) has transcended beyond the swimming pool and I’ve applied it to all aspects of my life. I have tried to challenge myself and try new things whether it is by committing to talking twice in every class or go completely out of my comfort zone and decide to participate in a community service trip in South Africa this coming summer.

Athletic Department

List of 3 members.

  • Photo of Darek Cliff

    Darek Cliff 

    Director of Athletics
    925-362-7206
  • Photo of Nabil Saad

    Nabil Saad 

    PE Teacher and Assistant Athletic Director
    925-362-7246
  • Photo of Zach Holt

    Zach Holt 

    Assistant Director of Athletics
    925-362-7254
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