{"id":11673,"date":"2022-05-05T18:34:23","date_gmt":"2022-05-05T18:34:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/downey\/?page_id=11673"},"modified":"2025-06-25T16:00:45","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T23:00:45","slug":"athletics-join","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/downey\/athletics-join\/","title":{"rendered":"Athletics – Joining & Expectations"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”off|phone” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#9D2235″ height=”65px” max_height=”65px” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”5px||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”5px||5px||false|false” sticky_position=”top” global_module=”11631″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_menu _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” menu_id=”120″ active_link_color=”#FFC917″ menu_text_color=”#FFFFFF” background_enable_color=”off” menu_font=”|600|||||||” custom_padding=”||||false|false” cart_icon_color=”#FFFFFF” search_icon_color=”#FFFFFF” menu_icon_color=”#FFFFFF” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ menu_style=”centered”][\/et_pb_menu][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ top_divider_color=”#E0E0E0″ top_divider_height=”50px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ use_custom_gutter=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Join Downey High School Athletics<\/h1>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

B<\/span>y participating in athletics, students will learn cooperation, respect, sportsmanship, hard work, and commitment to others.<\/span><\/p>\n

We encourage all students interested to try out for a team and\/or show their support at games and competitions. Go Vikings!<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/downey\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/76\/2022\/05\/EmbeddedImage2.jpeg” alt=”DHS athletics swimmer” title_text=”EmbeddedImage2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” height=”250px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#F4F4F4″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ _builder_version=”4.10.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_module=”11634″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Benefits of Athletics Participation<\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/downey\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/76\/2021\/04\/volleyball-510px.jpg” alt=”teamwork girls volleyball team huddle” title_text=”volleyball-510px” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_toggle title=”Prepares You For The Future” open_toggle_background_color=”RGBA(0,0,0,0)” closed_toggle_background_color=”RGBA(0,0,0,0)” icon_color=”#5A0C1C” open_icon_color=”#5A0C1C” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h4″ title_font=”||||||||” title_font_size=”16px” custom_padding=”5px|15px|10px|15px|false|false” border_radii=”off||||” border_width_all=”0px” border_color_all=”#E0E0E0″ border_width_bottom=”1px” border_color_bottom=”#5A0C1C” border_style_bottom=”ridge” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Research shows that people who play high school sports get better jobs with better pay, reports <\/span>The New York Times<\/a>. The lessons learned in athletics, combined with the knowledge that student-athletes must do well in school to participate, motivates their persistence and drive for success. <\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Teaches Collaboration and Teamwork” open_toggle_background_color=”RGBA(0,0,0,0)” closed_toggle_background_color=”RGBA(0,0,0,0)” icon_color=”#5A0C1C” open_icon_color=”#5A0C1C” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h4″ title_font=”||||||||” title_font_size=”16px” custom_padding=”5px|15px|10px|15px|false|false” border_radii=”off||||” border_width_all=”0px” border_color_all=”#E0E0E0″ border_width_bottom=”1px” border_color_bottom=”#5A0C1C” border_style_bottom=”ridge” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Sports in school teach student-athletes how to collaborate and how to operate separately but together \u2014 an essential skill for the competitive workplace they will one day serve.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Elevates Academics” open_toggle_background_color=”RGBA(0,0,0,0)” closed_toggle_background_color=”RGBA(0,0,0,0)” icon_color=”#5A0C1C” open_icon_color=”#5A0C1C” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h4″ title_font=”||||||||” title_font_size=”16px” custom_padding=”5px|15px|10px|15px|false|false” border_radii=”off||||” border_width_all=”0px” border_color_all=”#E0E0E0″ border_width_bottom=”1px” border_color_bottom=”#5A0C1C” border_style_bottom=”ridge” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

The <\/span>NFHS<\/em><\/a><\/span> found that the average GPA of a high school athlete was 2.84, while a student who doesn’t participate in sports had an average GPA of 2.68.<\/span> <\/span>Student-athletes are encouraged by their teammates and coaches to succeed. They develop a competitive nature both on the field and in the classroom.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Expands Leadership Skills” open_toggle_background_color=”RGBA(0,0,0,0)” closed_toggle_background_color=”RGBA(0,0,0,0)” icon_color=”#5A0C1C” open_icon_color=”#5A0C1C” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h4″ title_font=”||||||||” title_font_size=”16px” custom_padding=”5px|15px|10px|15px|false|false” border_radii=”off||||” border_width_all=”0px” border_color_all=”#E0E0E0″ border_width_bottom=”1px” border_color_bottom=”#5A0C1C” border_style_bottom=”ridge” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

The mentoring that occurs between student-athletes provides invaluable leadership skills.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Senior student-athletes set examples both in the field of play and off that help younger students practice and carry the heavy responsibility of leadership.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Increases Time Management” open_toggle_background_color=”RGBA(0,0,0,0)” closed_toggle_background_color=”RGBA(0,0,0,0)” icon_color=”#5A0C1C” open_icon_color=”#5A0C1C” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h4″ title_font=”||||||||” title_font_size=”16px” custom_padding=”5px|15px|10px|15px|false|false” border_radii=”off||||” border_width_all=”0px” border_color_all=”#E0E0E0″ border_width_bottom=”1px” border_color_bottom=”#5A0C1C” border_style_bottom=”ridge” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Adding a school sport to the busyness of life and academic rigors is worth the effort, but it does require good time management skills. To achieve success in their sports and on their report cards, student-athletes must learn to maximize their time and focus to achieve. Coaches, side by side with supportive teachers, make this essential skill obtainable.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Constructs Positive Character Traits” open_toggle_background_color=”RGBA(0,0,0,0)” closed_toggle_background_color=”RGBA(0,0,0,0)” icon_color=”#5A0C1C” open_icon_color=”#5A0C1C” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h4″ title_font=”||||||||” title_font_size=”16px” custom_padding=”5px|15px|10px|15px|false|false” border_radii=”off||||” border_width_all=”0px” border_color_all=”#E0E0E0″ border_width_bottom=”1px” border_color_bottom=”#5A0C1C” border_style_bottom=”ridge” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Some of the benefits of team sports are referred to by Education.com <\/a>as the three P\u2019s: persistence, patience and practice. While there are numerous character-building opportunities through school sports, learning to commit to practice times, to sometimes sit on the sidelines and to simply persist in doing something again and again produces character traits that will last a lifetime.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWinning and losing gracefully are hallmarks of people equipped to live in and lead a civil society. And learning to treat people with dignity, especially under the pressure of competition, is one of the most valuable life lessons sports can offer,\u201d says the Positive Coaching Alliance<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Improves Fitness Levels” open_toggle_background_color=”RGBA(0,0,0,0)” closed_toggle_background_color=”RGBA(0,0,0,0)” icon_color=”#5A0C1C” open_icon_color=”#5A0C1C” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h4″ title_font=”||||||||” title_font_size=”16px” custom_padding=”5px|15px|10px|15px|false|false” border_radii=”off||||” border_width_all=”0px” border_color_all=”#E0E0E0″ border_width_bottom=”1px” border_color_bottom=”#5A0C1C” border_style_bottom=”ridge” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

An active lifestyle is healthier than a sedentary one. A student on the move benefits from sharpened senses and less idle time. According to a report from the NFHS, a 2006 study on female athletes discovered that female students who are given more opportunities to participate in athletics in high school show healthy improvement in their weight and body mass numbers.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” module_id=”principal” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#333333″ background_color_gradient_direction=”173deg” background_enable_image=”off” custom_padding=”0|0px|20px|0px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” top_divider_color=”#FFFFFF” top_divider_height=”70px” bottom_divider_color=”#FFFFFF” bottom_divider_height=”50px” bottom_divider_flip=”horizontal” background_color_phone=”#efefef” background_last_edited=”off|desktop” background_enable_color_phone=”on” background_enable_image_phone=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”20px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Expectations of our Student Athletes<\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_layout=”dark” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

As a Downey High School student-athlete, you are required to represent, uphold, and practice the principles of Victory with Honor. This program is based on the \u201cSix Pillars of Character\u201d of the Character Counts Program that is practiced district-wide.<\/p>\n

As part of a Viking athletic team, you will be required to maintain a minimum G.P.A of 2.0 and be looked like a model of student discipline. You will be asked to participate in fundraising efforts on campus and in the local community. The effort of the coaches is to instill and nurture the concepts of responsibility, discipline, and teamwork in each student-athlete.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”20px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Athletic Eligibility<\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_layout=”dark” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Athletes are held to the highest standards academically, below are the other requirements:<\/p>\n

\n