As a member of the Alabama High School Athletic Association, St. Bernard Prep competes with public and private schools in a variety of sports.

Fall Sports
  • Men’s and Women’s Cross Country
  • Women’s Volleyball
Winter Sports
  • Men’s and Women’s Basketball
  • Bowling
  • Archery
Spring Sports
  • Men’s and Women’s Soccer
  • Men’s and Women’s Track and Field
  • Women’s Tennis
  • Men’s Baseball

Coach Tim Burleson

“Sports is an extension of the educational process,” notes Coach Tim Burleson.

“They learn lessons through competition that go way beyond the classroom — leadership, teamwork, how to handle adversity.”

Best Boarding Schools in the US. Archery at St. Bernard Prep School

As a small school, the majority of students participate in one or more sports, and students have much more time on the field. “At a large school, students might be lucky to be on one team,” explains Coach Burleson. “There is more opportunity here.”

Though a small school, St. Bernard’s facilities are top notch.

“This is not your typical Class 1A facility,” boasts Coach Burleson. “We hosted a Cross Country meet for a 5A school—our facilities were better!”

Best Boarding Schools in the US. Cross country in athletics at St. Bernard Prep School.

Coach William Calvert

In the last 14 years, Coach William Calvert has produced four state champion Cross Country teams. “The win in November 2020 was one of the most satisfying things I’ve ever been a part of,” exclaims Coach Calvert. Unfortunately, in the spring of 2020, the school’s best runners had their senior year canceled due to Covid. So the next season, their remaining teammates dedicated their season to the guys who had just graduated.

“Individually, none of the remaining guys were stars,” explains Coach Calvert. “They were a bunch of average guys, motivated to bring home gold to honor those who had just graduated.”

Coach Calvert concludes, “There is true team spirit at St. Bernard."

Best Boarding Schools in the US. Athletics in the indoor facilities at St. Bernard Prep School.

Alli Messick, SBP ’16, remembers Coach Calvert well.  “He knew I loved volleyball and basketball. So from junior high on, he kept after me to join Track & Field.”

Alli’s reply? “I don’t like running!”

Finally, in her junior year she relented when she realized track and field included other events, like throwing the discus and javelin. “Javelin eventually became my favorite,” recalls Alli.

As it turns out, she was good at it.

In her senior year, she found herself in the state finals. In her final throw, the javelin sailed 105 feet, a personal best by 10 feet. “I let it rip, and when it landed I was in 3rd place.”

Alli thought she had clinched the bronze.

“The girl that came after me had one throw left, and bested me by inches. I was shocked. All she had to do was throw six inches shorter, I would have been on the podium with Bronze.”

Still, Alli’s talent was noticed.  Birmingham Southern recruited her to throw javelin on their collegiate team.

As a coach, I see talent that students don’t yet realize they have,” concludes Coach Calvert. “That’s the most satisfying part of my job.

Education