• Which team sports qualify for P.E. credit?
• Basketball
• Crew
• Rugby
• Related page: PE at Berkeley High

My son will be attending Berkeley High next year as a freshman. We are trying to figure out how to get P.E. credit for team sports (he doesn't want a sport in which he could get hurt or that requires many hours each week--apparently that eliminates crew and lacrosse). Can anyone help? We'd like to know which team sports offer P.E. credit and if they meet fall, spring, or year-round, how many hours of commitment are required per week, and whether anyone can join the team or if tryouts are required. I tried calling the Athletics Department and emailing them as well, but I was told only that there is no centralized information repository for the 27 team sports available at Berkeley High. Does one really have to figure out who the coaches are for the teams and call each one? I don't see how any student who is taking two languages and the assigned classes can fit in P.E. within a 6-period day. Any advice is most appreciated. Maureen

BHS has one of the, if not the, largest number of athletic teams in the country, so I imagine you'll find something that appeals. I think all of them have tryouts and if there isn't a freshman team there may even be some strong competition for spots. Then there are the games or meets: sometimes on weekends and sometimes more than once each week on a weekday. So it's not a quick, low output, easy substitution for PE. I do think it's a good way for a kid to make friends and get involved, however. I'd start with figuring out where your child has skill or interest. My son ran X-Country in Fall just to get in shape for soccer which was in Winter. He got credit for 2 team sports in the same year. I believe kids need 4 semesters of PE to graduate.

By the way-- school is an 8 period day, at least for now. -Winifred

HOWEVER, in retrospect, now that he is a senior, I have to admit that I am a total convert to the idea of team sports, and I am so grateful for the advice I got from others encouraging me to let him play no matter what. I'd say that his participation in sports has been the single most valuable aspect of his entire 4 years at Berkeley High. Here's why:
1. He's learned that hard work really does pay off. He is not a natural athlete, so he's had to work really hard to be good enough to get game time. His skills have improved so markedly through sheer determination and effort that he has gone from being a bench warmer most games to playing most games and really contributing.
2. Self esteem obviously derives from the above.
3. He learned how to lose.
4. Cameraderie among the team members (including JV, and the girls' team) has meant that he's always felt very comfortable at BHS, and part of a social circle. Not only that, but former players who've already graduated and are in college now are GREAT motivators for not-very-academic high schoolers.
5. Drugs and alcohol have not been a big problem because he can't abuse them and also play such a demanding sport.
6. He isn't a pudgy clumsy adolescent anymore. he's in great shape and interested in taking care of his body - in fact he is the first family member on my side in 3 generations to have visible muscles!

I think every kid can benefit from playing a sport and I highly recommend it.

Basketball

Last year, my son tried out for the 9th grade basketball team at BHS. It was very competitive, and he didn't make it, but we commended him for putting out his best effort. The students are required to get a doctor's clearance before trying out, and the tryouts last 4-5 days. Students who don't make the team can take basketball as a P.E. course, both during the school year and during summer school at BHS. If offered this summer, incoming 9th graders can enroll in summer school. My son has enjoyed these classes. Also, I understand that one of the basketball teachers at BHS offers a summer camp, and the YMCA downtown offers basketball during after school hours. -- Anonymous