Athletic programs blossom at art schools

CIVA is not just for art geeks anymore.

Colorado Springs School District 11 charter school CIVA (Character, Integrity, Vision and the Arts) dipped a tentative toe into athletics this past spring with an Ultimate Frisbee team. The school, about 200 strong, placed 10th in the state out of 32 teams.

It's a strong start for what the school administration hopes will forge a new, more complete identity for what is "not just an art school," said incoming junior Diana Richter. She is one of the 32 football players out of the 150 students at the school who can change that image this fall.

Establishing a school identity with a football team was a motivating factor behind CIVA and two small area high schools - Discovery Canyon and The Vanguard School - adding sports.

"We hope to create an identity around athletics that will contribute to the spirit of the school and a more well-balanced student body," said principal and football coach Randy Zimmerman.

CIVA officials and students also hope it aids personal development; a key tenet to the school's formation in 1996.

"Teaching students to push themselves to their highest level physically is a way of increasing their discipline, which can be translated into academics and the arts," Zimmerman said.

It also means it's something kids want that can be taken away.

"It helps me concentrate," said junior CJ Evans. "You can't play unless you pass your classes."

The non-Colorado High School Activities Association-sanctioned 11-man football program is well under way with its homecoming scheduled against Resurrection Christian at Garry Berry Stadium and a game against Faith Christian at St. Mary's Grace Center.

Other games are being scheduled.

This won't be a one-time experiment for CIVA, which has a budget of $50,000 to support football, girls volleyball, boys and girls basketball and Ultimate Frisbee.

"Someday we may require students to participate in sports," Zimmerman said. "We are all about teaching students to overcome perceived limitations, by challenging them to do new things and supporting them along the way."

One school with a full year of varsity sports already is District 20's Discovery Canyon, which had its first state champion in wrestler Nick Adams.

Participation was exceptional with 102 out of the 121 students participating including 20 in three sports, said athletic director Sharon Lauer. With no upperclassmen, the freshmen got to participate at the varsity level right away in a number of sports on the K-12 campus. The school only has 1,250 students in a building that can hold 2,500. That will change in coming years.

With 350 students in grades 9 and 10, the school will participate at the 3A level this fall and eventually reach the 4A level as two more classes are added by 2011.

For The Vanguard School, adding sports was more than just adding to the experience. It was a big part of retaining students, making it well worth $75,000 a year.

"We wouldn't be able to attract students or sustain the high school without offering activities," said athletic director Dina Fuqua. "It's not always about the books."

After 11 years as a K-8 school, the high school arm of the Cheyenne Mountain Charter Academy opened in 2006 and began offering cross country in fall 2007. That was followed by basketball in the winter and track in the spring.

"At this stage they're just thrilled to have the opportunity to play on a competitive A or 2A level," Fuqua said.

For all three schools, the students get a unique experience. They're among the few who get to pick their school colors, team nickname and logo.

"They have opportunities that may not have been open to them in other scenarios," Lauer said. "We're developing leaders here. Being a four-year senior is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

-

CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0260 or josephpaisley@gazette.com