Athletics
The school boasts a storied athletic tradition and is home to an active student body. At all games the students of Central Catholic stand and cheer together in "Section R". "Section R" was founded in the fall of 1987 by Julio Villareal ('88), Orlando Sanchez ('88), and Carlos Sanchez ('89, no relation) to cheer on the struggling basketball team. To the chagrin of Central faculty and opposing teams this tradition continues today.
Central competes in the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS). For the 2008-2010 alignment, Central is in Division I District 2 for Winter Soccer and 11 Man Football and 5A District 2 in Baseball, Swimming, Track and Field, Golf, Tennis, and Basketball. Central competes in Cross Country in the TAPPS 5A division.
Central has won eight TAPPS state championships: Cross Country (2007), Football (2001), Golf (2000, 2003),Soccer (2007, 2008, 2009), and Track (2001).
From 1935-1995, Central Catholic competed in the Texas Catholic Interscholastic League, winning 25 state championships: Basketball, 15 (1937, 1946, 1948, 1949, 1951, 1961, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1974, 1975, 1982, 1984, 1991); Baseball, 6 (1954, 1958, 1959, 1976, 1980, 1984); Football, 2 (1970, 1990); Soccer, 1 (1987); and Track, 1 (1982).
In the 2005-06 school year, Central Catholic was home to District and/or Regional champs in seven sports: Basketball, Soccer, Baseball, Track, Swimming, Tennis, and Lacrosse.
Golf The 2009 Varsity Golf team is now working on various different aspects not only on the game itself but about etiquette also. The team practices at not only Pecan Valley and Republic but other various popular courses around San Antonio. This year's team is composed of Juniors and some well picked up and coming freshmen.
Cross Country In 1996, the Cross Country team won the TAPPS State Title for the first time in Central's history. The captain was a senior named John Talafuse and he led the team by winning the race. The team was made up of students from all grade levels, including two freshmen. The Coach was Roger Soler, a former Olympian from Peru, who also owns 5 running stores in San Antonio and South Texas. During the 2006 season, the school's Cross-Country team took the runner-up award at the TAPPS state meet ahead of all South, East, North and Central Texas teams, but losing to El Paso Cathedral by two points. However; in 2007, Central won the TAPPS State Championship.
Soccer With Head Coach Kelly Altman, named TAPPS coach of the year across all sports in 2009, and Assistant Coach Gilbert Gomez ('84), the school's soccer team won its third consecutive state championship in the 2008-2009 season, defeating Plano John Paul II, 2-1 and finished with a season record of 20-5. Led by captain Chris Bourbois, the team also won the national championship in 2007-2008 by defeating Houston St. Thomas by a score of 4-0 in the finals, completing a 22-1-1 season. This season included a victory over Austin Lanier in the East Central tourney during the 2007-2008 season, establishing a new state record for consecutive victories at 32. In 2006-2007 the team won the state championship after defeating Austin St. Michaels by a score of 5-1. The championship finished up an undefeated season of 22-0-0.
Football In the 2007 Football Season, Head Coach Carlos Enrico, along with assistant coaches L.D. Green, Charles Pena, Michael Gomez, Lou Garza, David Vela, Don Nelson, and Richard Schoanert, led the Buttons to Central's first undefeated regular season in over thirty years and a #4 ranking in the city. After a 10-0 regular season and the District Championship, the Buttons were defeated by the 2008 TAPPS Division I State Champion Houston St. Pius in the State Semifinals, finishing 11-1. Season highlights include victories over 6 public schools and a crushing defeat of arch-rival Holy Cross at the Holy Bowl for the first time in 3 years.
In 2008, the Buttons posted an 8-2 regular season record with a #7 ranking in the city and averaged 37.9 points per game.The Buttons ended their season losing in the State Semifinals of the playoffs to Dallas Bishop Lynch.
Track and Field The Central Catholic Track and Field Team has won the District Championship for three consecutive seasons (2006, 2007, and 2008) and the title of State Runner-Up for two consecutive seasons (2007 and 2008). In 2007, the squad's 4x100 Meter and 4x800 Meter Relay Teams each set their respective TAPPS state records (42.96 seconds and 1:29.76, respectively). Both teams also set the school records.
Lacrosse Central Catholic also has one of the oldest lacrosse teams in the city of San Antonio, claiming a newly formed division title in 2006. The Lacrosse team claimed the district title in 2009 for the newly formed San Antonio district by defeating Reagan Lacrosse. The team eventually lost in the state semi-finals to Stony Point. In 2010, The team ended up making it to the district finals, coming up short against Reagan. The 2011 team lost in the district semi-final to TMI. The lacrosse team is headed by longtime coach, Jay McCracken, with many alumni as assistants.
Swimming Central Catholic has a proud tradition of competitive swimming. Headed by Kevin Gallivan who coached former Olympic athlete Josh Davis. Best Swim team in San Antonio, with the fastest relay at regionals and state. Bryce Phillips is the fastest swimmer to attend Central Catholic High School.
Basketball Central Catholic was lead this year by Collin Fabac. He averaged just about 12 points per game, and made TAPPS All-State first team. He was a TAPPS All-Star Selection and was selected to be in the Lone Star All-Star game in San Antonio. On his team was Josh Benitez, Ryan Mcloughlin, Bryan Colon, Matt Hidalgo, Nick Galindo, Ernesto Vargas, P.J Escobar, Daniel Kellum, Chris Paz, Matt Wetesnik, Jorden Kite, Jordan Murphy, and Tony Lewis. They finished the 2011-2012 season 27-12 and lost to the eventual TAPPS State Champions (Plano Prestonwood) in the Second Round. It was a very successful season.
Tennis Central Catholic's tennis team performed admirably under captain Jacob Carmichael's going to the TAPPS State Championship in Tennis from 2009-2012.
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