Inside Athletics

To inspire student-athletes to become the best versions of themselves physically, mentally, and spiritually. 

Pope John Paul II Preparatory School's Athletic program has 23 varsity-level sports and continues to grow. The program encompasses the traditional and beyond, including unique sports like clay target, archery, and crew. Although we are one of the youngest schools in Tennessee, we compete in the largest classification in Division II. Many Pope Prep teams and individual athletes have won local, regional, and state titles. Our coaches come from a wide range of backgrounds, including national, professional, and collegiate teams. Coaches use their expertise and knowledge to provide a first-class experience for our student-athletes. Along with preparing for success in competition, our coaches are committed to the mission of Pope Athletics: To inspire student-athletes to become the best version of themselves physically, mentally, and spiritually. 

We offer some of the most exceptional facilities in the state of Tennessee, from our TBCA award-winning baseball field to our multipurpose turf field at the Jim Carell Athletic Complex. Our athletic facilities also include a full-length natural grass soccer field, six tennis courts, a wrestling gym, a track and field complex, a softball field, as well as a competition basketball gym and auxiliary gym. We also recently added a lacrosse wall, archery range, and short-game golf facility featuring a synthetic putting green along with a natural green for chip and short iron shots. 

Student-athletes are supported by a first-tier strength, speed, and conditioning program. The program enhances sport performance by promoting muscle hypertrophy, strength endurance, power, and injury prevention. Our strength program is one of the few high school programs in the area to use TeamBuildR, state-of-the-art strength-training software that uses iPads in the weight room to track each student, keeping them on a unique strength-training plan.