Since its establishment over 50 years ago, the school gained a reputation for its athletics, raising questions about when and how this tradition began. Is it the immense amount of goals scored and winning buzzers going off, or is it the school spirit that locked our “sporty” reputation into place? The school was recently named the No. 1 public school in the country for athletics, speaking to its legacy as one of the best athletic high schools in the state. 

High school sports are a unique kind of excitement. The hyped up fans piling into the student section while parents cheer from above creates an unmatched atmosphere. At the school, this energy is a standout feature of sports games. 

“I just think that high school football is so popular that unless you’re truly terrible, I think you’re gonna get people to show up,” Nicholas Diaz (10), alumnus, varsity boys basketball assistant coach and Special Education teacher, said. “So if you’re average or better, I think you’re going to have a good crowd. And we have a nice, big stadium. It’s a great atmosphere, [and] I think it can attract a lot of people.”

For Chase Rogowski (11), a varsity basketball and football player, the energy of the games is a major driving force behind the school’s reputation. 

“The energy at [football and basketball] games are great,” Rogowski said. “You can tell when you step onto the court or the field. The student section is always packed, and when you’re playing, hearing [the crowd] can help you feel connected to the school through our sports.”

The student section is a key component of fan attendance, as students attend not just for the action — the game winning hail marys and pick sixes — but simply for the fun of it. Throughout the school’s athletic history, student school spirit has been at a constant high.

“I would definitely highlight that the school spirit and the class spirit was off the charts when I attended,” Pilar Dieter (‘93), a three varsity sport alumna and student parent, said. “Classes would be represented by wearing different colors. There was a lot of focus and energy around the spirit of the school and the class identity that came into it.”

Comparing the school’s student sections over the years, the school always thrived on chaos and excitement. 

“I feel like we got good crowds then, and we still get great crowds,” Diaz said. “I feel like it’s just been at a really high level the whole time. I think what’s really helped it now is the social media thing. Like, obviously kids are on Instagram and Tiktok and all that kind of stuff. I think showing video clips of games and showing pictures and cool edits. I think that’s a really good way to get kids excited about going to games and having big, exciting crowds.”

The expanding fanbase over the years can be attributed to the launch of various social media accounts. These platforms play a crucial role in inviting and updating fans on game highlights, dress codes and schedules. 

Football often draws the most attention, primarily because of its ample promotion by both students and teachers through word of mouth. Additionally, football holds a prominent status as a staple of the American high school experience.

“There’s nothing like going to a football game on a Friday night,” Jacob Gilliam (‘17), English teacher, varsity boys basketball assistant coach and alumnus, said. “And, there’s just a different feeling with Friday night lights.”

Although Friday night lights in Ed Burke stadium often draw the biggest crowds, it is not the only successful sport on campus. Many other teams have made their marks by winning titles, even if their supporters only consist of cheering grandparents. 

“There’s a lot of very good athletes that have come through here, NFL, NBA, pro baseball,” Diaz said. “I could go on and on, we’ve just had a history of really good athletes, and we’ve had really good teams. We’ve won a lot of championships, you’ve seen the banners in the gym. They really ran out of space.”

If anything defines a “sports school,” it’s the ever-shrinking CIF and state championship banners in the Olive Garden and learning commons. Moreover, the school’s reputation has undoubtedly increased competition among students striving to qualify for sports teams. 

“In [present times], I hear that hundreds of kids show up to tryouts for sports [such as soccer and basketball],” Dieter said. “Even in youth sports before high school, the club teams are so competitive. The amount of time needed to be invested in sports, and to even be considered to play at the high school level is astonishing. There were definitely not as many people trying out for teams [back then] as there are now.”

The cardinal and gold reputation stands strong, backed by a rich history of success that spans across numerous achievements within the school. From athletic to academic achievements, our outstanding legacy continues to define our school’s ongoing success. 

“I think that because there’s been so much success individually with the teams, that gives the reputation,” Diaz said. “I think we have the most CIF titles in San Diego. So, like, we kind of just have earned being labeled [a] sports school.”

Each season brings new sports, and with them, different definitions of success. 

“I think we’ve always had kind of a proud tradition athletically,” Gilliam said. “Obviously, the football games earlier in the year have kind of been like a big thing, and that’s always been something that the community rallies around. And then, people have always kind of taken a liking during the winter to basketball and going to those games.” 

While football, volleyball and basketball are more of the common spectator sports, each sports’ enjoyment can vary based on what people like to play and watch. For Rogowski, spring sports are especially exciting. 

“Spring sports are huge here,” Rogowski said. “All the teams work really hard. Football gets the attention, but every team works very hard.”

Each team’s accomplishments never fully rely on the players alone, the coaches play a crucial role as well.

“I think because we have so many good coaches in so many different sports, it’s been really consistent,” Gilliam said. “They know how to bring out the best in the athletes, and they’ve been a key factor in our success.”

One of those coaches is Jake Ashby (‘13), the varsity football offensive line coach and Intro to Business teacher, who was once a student-athlete at the school. Ashby, now guiding the varsity football team alongside his father, Scott Ashby, the head varsity football coach, understands the deep-rooted connection between athletics and the school’s culture. 

“When I was a student here I played baseball and football … I felt the energy and excitement, but now as a coach, I see how much further we’ve come,” Ashby said. “The school spirit, the competitiveness, it’s all grown. We’ve built something really special here,” Ashby said.

Ashby also highlighted the role of student-athletes in maintaining the school’s athletic legacy. 

“The kids we have now are incredible. Their commitment to sports and their work ethic is great. They push each other to be better and to honor the school’s traditions.”

Despite the overwhelming focus on athletics, Ashby emphasizes that it doesn’t diminish the academic rigor of the school. 

“Sports are definitely a huge part of our culture, but they don’t overshadow everything else,” Ashby said. “We are still fantastic academically, and we have tons of extracurricular activities to keep students engaged. It’s about finding that balance of competitiveness, both in our sports and in the classroom.”

For Rogowski, that balance is key. 

“Being an athlete at Torrey is a lot of work,” Rogowski said. “You have to maintain your grades and represent the school well … you learn a lot about responsibility and hard work.”

Looking ahead, Ashby is optimistic about the future of the school’s athletic programs. 

“I think we’ve only scratched the surface,” Ashby said. “The kids we have now are going to raise the bar even higher, and I’m excited to see where we go next.”

Although the school is notorious for its sports, it doesn’t take away from being ranked the second best high school in SDUHSD.

“Sports are definitely a huge part of our school culture, and I don’t think it necessarily takes away from anything else,” Gilliam said. “I mean, we’re still fantastic academically, and there’s so many great extracurricular activities on campus, but I do think that there’s just a competitiveness in this community that’s really cool and fun to be a part of.”