The Woodward Academy athletic program officially began in 2003 when an extracurricular strong man competition between dorms was turned into a structured weight lifting club. Two years later (’05), three powerlifters traveled to Texas where they competed in the USAPL High School National Championships for the first time and Woodward Academy crowned it first National Champion. The impact of that accomplishment had a ripple effect across campus that is still being felt today.
Organized athletics was a dream for a lot of staff, but questions of whether it was feasible or not were persistent. Who would they compete against? Where would they play? Can a school for juvenile delinquents play high school athletics against public high schools? The answer to that question is an overwhelming yes and the Knights have had great results competing in high school athletics.
For many, playing on a Woodward Academy team marks the first time participating in an organized sport. But not only do the Knights compete, they excel. Every sport has had stand out performances and students at Woodward Academy have qualified for state, received post-season accolades, and even been crowned champions. Even more important than winning is how athletics has helped showcase what Woodward Academy is as a school. Over the past 10 years, the coaching staff have put sportsmanship first and the players have responded. Every year, officials and fans from opposing schools reach out to express how impressed they are with the various Woodward Academy teams. Today, the Knights are not viewed as a school for delinquent males, but as a school with a powerhouse athletic program with the most polite and respectful athletes on the field.
