Upper School Athletics
At Harker, we believe sports offer students formative and lifelong lessons, helping them succeed in the classroom, at college and in their future careers.
Beyond our sports teams, our student athletes develop their skills in our off-season strength and conditioning programs and training camps. We support the academic success and extracurricular pursuits of our student athletes. Our athletic coaches, program directors, counselors and teachers actively follow our student athletes, ensuring they are effectively balancing their academic and extracurricular commitments.
By The Numbers See more facts & stats
Upper School Sports Teams at Harker
Our sports teams compete in a variety of local leagues, including the West Bay Athletic League, Santa Clara Valley Athletic League, Peninsula Athletic League and Bay Football League. We regularly send athletes from our sports teams to play at the collegiate level.
At Harker, we compete in a variety of sports including:
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Fall
- Football
- Boys & Girls Water Polo
- Boys & Girls Cross Country
- Cheerleading
- Girls Volleyball
- Girls Golf
- Girls Tennis
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Winter
- Boys & Girls Basketball
- Boys & Girls Soccer
- Cheerleading
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Spring
- Boys Tennis
- Boys Volleyball
- Girls Lacrosse
- Softball
- Baseball
- Swimming
- Track & Field
- Boys Golf
Coaches
Harker's coaches do more than just coach our student athletes in sports. They serve as role models and mentors, helping our student athletes develop into well-rounded individuals who are ready to lead teams, compete and succeed in the world.
With experience in collegiate, professional and international sports teams, all of our coaches are qualified to offer your teen an excellent athletic experience.They are also supported with professional development opportunities to continue their growth in coaching our student athletes.
They hold NFHS (National Federation of State High School Associations) coaching certifications, comprising extensive training in areas including:
- coaching fundamentals
- first aid and CPR
- concussion awareness
Our athletics staff includes one full-time athletic trainer, one part-time athletic trainer and a full-time strength and conditioning coordinator, to support the health and wellness of Harker’s athletes.

Alfredo Alves
Coach, Boys Basketball
What is your best memory in coaching?
January 25, 2010. I was coaching the girls program and we were going up against Mercy Burlingame. This game really tested me as a coach. We went into triple overtime, earning the victory in a 56-53 win. I will never forget how my team didn't give up the entire duration of the game.
What one or two things do you currently do in your training that are keys to team success?
I always preach to my team every year the importance of playing together and becoming a family. Every year for me that is the number 1 priority, team must be able to trust one another, win together, and more importantly lose together.
What are three things you’ve learned as a coach?
I make it a goal to get maximum effort from each player on every drill, every game, every second they’re out working on the court. I want them to give it their all. I learned as a player that sports and basketball teach life lessons. Get my team to understand what we do and what we learn playing this game of basketball translates in the real world, whether it be working with a team in good or bad times, celebrating achievements together, and being there for one another in defeat.

Athletic Achievements
While our success includes numerous league championships, record-setting performances and athletes continuing their competitive careers in college, it’s the daily successes of team improvements and personal bests that we celebrate the most.
Visit the Harker Athletic Hall of Fame View a List of Our Collegiate Athletes