In 2019 La Academia introduced an initiative to create High School Athletics for the first time in school history. Former Division 1 basketball standout, 13-year professional basketball player, and community pillar, Jerry Johnson, was hired as the Athletic Director to create a sports department from the ground up – including a full mascot rebranding.
Given his background, Coach Johnson quickly started a Junior Varsity boy’s basketball team that competed during the 2019-2020 school year stating: “The opportunity was something that felt right. This is where I grew up and I feel that I can relate to these young men based on the lessons I’ve learned as an adolescent in this area. We have had incredible backing and flexibility from our Board Members, Administration, and Teachers and I look forward to continuing to build La Academia Basketball and athletics as a whole into the future through new and existing relationships in the community.”