Sylmar High School

For other uses, see Sylmar High School (disambiguation).

Sylmar High School
Location
13050 Borden Ave. Sylmar, CA 91342 United States
Information
Type	Public
Established	1950s
School district	Los Angeles Unified School District
Principal	Jan Lyons
Grades	9-12
Enrollment	3,605
Color(s)	Navy Blue/Carolina Blue
Mascot	Spartans
Information	(818) 833-3700
Website	http://www.sylmarhs.org/

Sylmar High School is a public school in the northeast San Fernando Valley in the Sylmar district of Los Angeles, California. Established in the 1950s, it is part of the Los Angeles Unified School District, District 2, and serves more than 3,600 students in grades 9-12. The school mascot is the Spartans.

History

Sylmar first opened in 1961. On Saturday September 29, 2012, Sylmar High will celebrate its 50th year anniversary.

Athletics

Sylmar's athletic program has flourished in the Los Angeles City Section.

Football

Once led by coach Jeff Engilman, the Spartans won two City Section championships in 1992 and 1994. Engilman, who has won more than 200 games in his 29-year coaching career, once led the Spartans to a City Section-record 69 consecutive league wins. Sylmar has continued the success Engilman built when taking over in 1987, including capturing 17 straight league titles. Many future collegiate and professional players have emerged from Sylmar, including Jacksonville Jaguars' tight end George Wrighster (University of Oregon) and former Denver Broncos cornerback Brandon Browner (Oregon State). Running backs, C.J. Gable (USC), Jerome Casey (Portland State University), Kenyatta Green (Ohio State University/ Utah State University), Tobaise Brookins (University of Washington), Tyrone Crenshaw (Michigan State), Durell Price (UCLA), 4-A City Section player of the Year. Wide receiver/kick returner Brian Roberson (Fresno State / New York Giants / San Francisco Demons (XFL) / Saskatchewen Roughriders (CFL). Roberson concluded his career with Fresno State as the All-Time leading receiver with 188 receptions, for 2,956 yards, and 15 Touchdowns. As a Receiver with the San Francisco Demons in the XFL in 2001, Roberson finished with 36 catches for 395 Yards and 2 Touchdowns.

Baseball

The Spartans of Sylmar are a notable baseball powerhouse in the San Fernando Valley, having won one City Section Championship in 1980 under Coach Thompson and 8 straight League Titles under Coach Gary Donatella, a Valley Pac 8/Valley Mission League record that still stands. Sylmar also holds the CIF City Section record for consecutive playoff appearances standing at 22 years and counting. The Spartans finished as runner-up in the City Section championship at Dodger Stadium in 2002, when they lost a pitcher's duel, 1-0, to Cleveland High of Reseda, marking the first title-game shutout since 1982. This would be coach Gary Donatella's first championship appearance in 14 years at Sylmar, and his last. Donatella, a 1972 Sylmar graduate, announced his retirement as Head Coach soon after the title game. Donatella, finished with a career record of 402-181 in 20 seasons, six of those at Los Angeles Marshall High, remains on as a teacher. "Gary D." as he is known by many, was succeeded by Assistant Head & Pitching Coach Ray Rivera who quickly led Sylmar to a League title in 2003. Since then, the Spartans have waged baseball-war against historic cross-town rivals San Fernando High and new league powerhouse Kennedy High of Granada for Valley Mission League supremacy. Sylmar has produced such talents as Derek Ornalez, James Lemos, Juan Carlos Velazco and notable Minor League standouts as Jose Villafana, Eddie Camacho, Marco Estrada and Ivan Hernandez. Correcting a mistake in this description of Sylmar baseball: Sylmar won not one City Section Cahmpionship, but two! The first being in 1973. Sylmar defeated Kennedy High School 3-2, under coach Fred Scott. Also, a notable deletion is pitcher Pete Redfern, 1972 Los Angeles City Baseball player of the year. Redfern played for USC and was the first player drafted in Jan. 1976 free agent draft by the Minnesota Twins. He played for the Twins from 1976-1983.

External links

• School website
• Los Angeles Unified School District profile
• "Northridge project cuts dropout rate at Sylmar High School", April 17, 2006, CSUN News (pdf)
• http://sanfernandosun.com/sanfernsun/