MaxPreps Student SectionChaminade (West Hills, Calif.) High School was founded in 1952 on the former site of the Cheviot Hills Military Academy in West Los Angeles by members of the Marianist Province of the Pacific. They were seeking to expand their educational mission into Southern California. Hoping to become a prestigious Catholic institution, sports were one of the last things on their minds.
However, after moving to West Hills in 1962, extra-circular activities, such as sports, were starting to become a more realistic goal at this all boy's school. Nine years later in 1971, the Chaminade Eagles won their first Mission League and CIF championship in the sport of basketball. This achievement put their sports program on the map.
Courtesy of Chaminade High School
With a huge championship win, Chaminade decided to become a coed school in 1972; which made their sports program larger. The Eagles gained more and more teams throughout the years. Although, they did not win their next CIF championship until 1997, they had great athletes.
One notable athlete is basketball player Joe Fabien who played from 1978-1982. He is second all time in scoring with 1399 points and also earned various Mission League awards. He still holds the school record for most points scored in a single game which still stands today.
After Chaminade joined to the Mission League, which features 7 Catholic high schools in the San Fernando Valley; the football team won their first championship in 1992. Under Coach Rich Lawson, they defeated the Notre Dame Knights.
The greatest achievements in Chaminade history came from the years 1997-2001. The girl's varsity soccer team won four consecutive CIF championships under Coach Mike Evans. Boys' basketball team won CIF two times in a row in 1997 and 1998 led by Scott Borchart. He holds Chaminade school records for points scored 1,788, blocks 118, and rebounds 882. Borchart's performance earned him numerous honors, including being named a CIF All-State and All-State Division-III player four years in a row.
With seven CIF championships under their belt, Chaminade started being recognized for not only their rigorous academics but their success in sports too.
Chaminade earned another Mission League Championship in football in 2006. Won CIF Division-IV playoffs in girls softball in 2006 and 2007. Their most recent accomplishments in athletics includes a CIF finalists in boys basketball in 2009. They won the CIF championship in boy's golf in 2010 and also placed third in swimming by Meghan Hawthorne. Boy's basketball team was coached by Todd Wolfson who was also named 2009 CIF Coach of the year. Boy's Golf team was coached by Bryan Cantwell and was led by Walter Lautz, Ryan Kramer and Nick Thomas.
Chaminade is hoping for their first CIF championship in baseball this year, as they include 7 division-I recruits who are currently first in the Mission League.
In addition, the Eagles football team seems to be going in the right direction. Led by Coach Ed Croson, coach since 2009; the football team has definitely improved. They went from a 7-5 season to an 11-2 record including a trip to the CIF semifinals.
Both baseball and football have very high probability of winning a championship in the very near future. Not only have Chaminade's teams been successful, but they have produced many Division-I college athletes. Recent Division-I athletes include baseball star Brando Tessar, a pitcher for the Oregon Ducks. Anthony Daniels, a lacrosse player for San Diego State Aztecs. Also, Meghan Hawthorne a swimmer for USC Trojans.
Chaminade has an Athletic Hall of Fame with over 30 members to recognize their greatest athletes that were part of Eagles Athletics. They have developed a rich tradition in sports and their future looks bright. They will hopefully see many CIF championships to come.
