Athletics

Interscholastic athletics are an integral part of the total educational experience at St. Joseph’s Academy.

The purpose of the SJA athletic program is to provide opportunities not otherwise found in the curriculum that will contribute to the student’s physical, emotional, psychological and sociological development.

SJA is a member of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association and competes at the 5A level.

A strong athletic program promotes leadership and sportsmanship while facilitating the learning of lifelong skills including teamwork, discipline, goal-setting, self-esteem, fair play, respect for others and the pursuit of excellence.

The combination of outstanding athletes and knowledgeable coaches has enabled SJA to achieve district, city and state championships on numerous occasions in a variety of sports. The outstanding individual efforts of many Redstickers have led to continued careers as collegiate scholarship athletes.

Any student interested in trying out for an athletic team must provide a completed and signed doctor's LHSAA physical form before the first day of team tryouts or workouts. This form may be uploaded to Healthy Roster or handed to the coach/trainer in person at tryouts. The rest of the athletic forms packet must be completed and submitted on Healthy Roster once the student is selected for the team. 

As students sign up for tryouts, they will be added to Healthy Roster by the SJA Athletic Administration. If a student and/or parent would like to create an account prior to trying out for a team, they can do so here

Student-athletes at SJA compete in the following sports:

Non-LHSAA sanctioned sports:

  • eSports
  • Red Steppers
  • SJA Cheerleaders

Athletic Hall of Fame

Established in 2015, the St. Joseph’s Academy Athletic Hall of Fame honors significant contributions to athletics at SJA. It recognizes those individuals whose distinguished careers or outstanding dedication have furthered the excellence of the athletic program; whose actions have promoted and supported athletics as a vital pillar of the SJA mission statement; and who embody the values of character, honor and sportsmanship.

Induction into the Hall of Fame is the highest honor bestowed upon those who act to preserve the spirit and heritage of Redsticker athletics in one of three categories: Student-Athlete, Coach or Contributor/Distinguished Volunteer.

Our Mascot

We are the Redstickers, named in honor of our hometown, Baton Rouge. When French explorers came upon this area and found a red cypress tree marking the border of Native American hunting grounds, they proclaimed the site as Baton Rouge, which translates to red stick. Our mascot is often shortened to ’Stickers as we cheer on our athletic teams.

Championship Teams

State Championships:

  • Cross Country: 1983, 1985, 1992, 1993, 2008, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
  • Golf: 2000, 2007, 2008
  • Gymnastics: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2019, 2021
  • Soccer: 2023
  • Swimming: 1994, 1996, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
  • Tennis: 1984, 1990, 1991, 2006, 2007, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023
  • Track and Field (Outdoor): 2019, 2021
  • Track and Field (Indoor): 2020, 2021
  • Volleyball: 1986, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2013

State Runners-up:

  • Bowling: 2007, 2008
  • Cross Country: 1980, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2007, 2009, 2015
  • Golf: 1994, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017
  • Gymnastics: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2014, 2015, 2023
  • Soccer: 2022
  • Softball: 2022
  • Swimming: 1988, 1990, 1992, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010
  • Tennis: 1977, 1978, 1979, 1988, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2019
  • Track & Field (Indoor): 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024
  • Volleyball: 1963, 1966, 1983, 1987, 1999, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2021

Intramural Sports

All SJA students can enjoy athletic competition, thanks to our intramural sports program. Each year, our Health & Physical Education department offers students the opportunity to compete in team or partner sports, including volleyball, ping pong, lacrosse, badminton, archery, dodge ball, pickleball, flag football, rock climbing, Ultimate Frisbee and more. Academy students can also compete in the coed sports of volleyball (fall) and kickball (spring) with students from Catholic High School.
 
For information on SJA's intramural offerings, contact Tim LaBauve at labauvet@sjabr.org.