Athletics

The same community spirit that prevails in academic and residential life is also the guiding force behind athletics at Cate. Participating in athletics is not only critical for good health but also teaches invaluable life lessons in teamwork, peer support, and self-discipline. Working out—from a casual jog with friends to a fierce battle in a championship game—plays a key role in building the sense of community that is so much a part of the Cate experience. The goal is for every Cate student to develop a lifelong appreciation for sports and to learn to incorporate them into their everyday lives.

The Cate athletic facilities offer something for everyone. There are two gyms, a state-of-the-art aquatics center with two pools and training center, numerous playing fields, an all-weather track, a fitness center, and tennis and squash courts. Cate also has a fully-equipped ropes course on campus, a climbing wall and bouldering house, quick access to its own 1200 acres of backcountry, and it’s only three miles from the Pacific Ocean.

There is a place for everyone in the Cate afternoon sports program and everyone participates, from the nationally-ranked athlete to the enthusiastic dabbler who just wants to try something new. Students can compete in a full range of team sports or challenge themselves with individual activities like Tae Kwon Do or dance. Cate also offers an outdoor program for students, one of very few of its kind in the nation. Taking advantage of Cate’s spectacular setting and location, the program meets four afternoons a week and offers sessions in surfing, hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, and rock climbing.

Cate provides plenty of challenge and opportunity for the competitive athlete. Despite its small size, the School has brought home numerous championships in both its local Condor League and in the statewide California Interscholastic Federation (CIF). Individual students regularly place on CIF teams and are often chosen for All-American teams. In fact, many Cate graduates have gone on to play college sports at the highest level.