Palisades Charter High School has long been one of the Westside’s most recognizable public-school athletic programs. Larger than most nearby private schools and deeply woven into the identity of its coastal community, Pali High athletics is built on tradition, broad participation, across multiple sports.
Each year more than 900 students –– about a third of the total enrollment –– participate in one of 27 varsity, JV and freshman sports, including:
Fall Teams
- Cross Country (Boys & Girls)
- Football
- Golf (Girls)
- Tennis (Girls)
- Volleyball (Girls)
- Water Polo (Boys)
Winter Teams
- Basketball (Boys & Girls)
- Cheer
- Soccer (Boys & Girls)
- Water Polo (Girls)
- Wrestling (Boys & Girls)
Spring Teams
- Baseball (Boys)
- Beach Volleyball (Girls)
- Golf (Boys)
- Lacrosse (Boys & Girls)
- Softball (Girls)
- Swim & Dive (Boys & Girls)
- Tennis (Boys)
- Track & Field (Boys & Girls)
- Volleyball (Boys)
Western League
The Palisades Dolphins compete in the CIF Los Angeles City Section, with many of their major programs traditionally playing in the Western League. Pali High has also been one of the City Section’s strongest all-around athletic schools in recent years. In 2025-26, teams in 15 different sports reached the CIF playoffs and the school claimed the Commissioner’s Cup for overall athletic success for the seventh time in 11 years.
Athletic venues
Pali High home games are played at the school’s main campus at 15777 Bowdoin Street in Pacific Palisades.
The Dolphins football team regularly fills the famous Walter T. Rohrer Stadium –– better known as the “Stadium by the Sea.” It is located on the school campus less than a mile from the Pacific Ocean. The field is also used for soccer and lacrosse.
Basketball, volleyball and other indoor sports take place in the school gymnasium.
Water sports are played in the Maggie Gilbert Aquatic Center, which features a 13-lane, 25-yard by 30-meter competition pool.
Palisades Dolphins football
The Palisades Dolphins football program achieved it greatest success to date in 2024, reaching the CIF Los Angeles City Section Division I championship game. A heartbreaking loss to King/Drew ended an otherwise exciting 11-3 season.
Under Head Coach Dylen Smith, the team faced unprecedented adversity the following season when January 2025 wildfires ravaged the community and caused significant damage to the school’s iconic stadium and campus
Despite being displaced to temporary facilities and having no true “home games,” Coach Smith the Dolphins were a perfect 10 – 0 before losing 42-21 to Garfield High School in the Open Division Quarterfinals.
Despite the loss of several key seniors, the Dolphins have reason to be optimistic about the 2026 season. The team will be anchored by returning senior quarterback Jack Thomas. The lineup also gets a massive boost with the return of superstar receiver Demare Dezeurn, the reigning Western League Player of the Year.
The Palisades Dolphins will begin the season at home on August 21. It will be the school’s first game at the Stadium by the Sea since November 8, 2024. See full 2026 schedule
Team identity & Mascot
Palisades Charter High School teams compete as the Dolphins. Dewey and Daisy Dolphin are the beloved official mascots. They are highly popular among the student body and frequently make appearances at school events, sports games, pep rallies, and graduation ceremonies to promote school spirit.
Pali High adopted the dolphin as its mascot when the school opened in 1961. While “Dolphins” has been the team nickname from day one, the specific name “Dewey Dolphin” was chosen by the student body years later.
The roles of Dewey and Daisy Dolphin is typically filled by a student, and it is considered a fun, spirited part of campus life.
Championships and milestones
Pali High has won a total of 271 City Championships. Their dominance comes mostly from:
- Tennis: Longtime coach Bud Kling built the ultimate powerhouse at Palisades, capturing 46 combined City titles (27 for the boys and 19 for the girls) to become the winningest high school tennis coach in California history.
- Golf: The boys golf program alone holds over 40 City titles.
- Volleyball & Basketball: The girls’ volleyball team has won over 30 City titles, while the boys’ and girls’ basketball programs combined account for another 11 crowns.
1969: Boys basketball team wins the CIF upper-division championship, a milestone they would not reach again for over five decades.
1973: Boys water polo claims the first of its initial six City Section championships during this decade.
1983: Steve Kerr graduates, becomes a five-time NBA champion player and four-time championship coach.
2014: Boys lacrosse wins first LA City Section championship. They win again in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 & 2026.
2019: Girls lacrosse wins LA City Section championship. They win again in 2023, 2024, 2025 & 2026.
2023: The boys’ water polo team continues its modern dynasty, securing its 18th City Section title.
2025: Six of seven fall sports teams capture City Section championships.
2026: Boys basketball wins the CIF LA City Section Open Division Championship by defeating Cleveland High 75-56.
2026: Boys tennis clinches a record-breaking 17th consecutive City Section team title.
2026: Boys water polo team claims another City Section crown.
Notable alumni
Many former Dolphins have gone on to have successful careers in professional sports. Here are a few:
Lucas Braun (baseball) – Graduated in 2019 and went on to play professional baseball in the Atlanta Braves organization, rising through the minor-league system. He’s recognized locally as one of Pali High’s recent pro signings and prospect contributors.
Jeanie Buss (basketball/executive) – The 1979 graduate became president and co-owner of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Nick Itkin (fencing) – The Class of 2017 foil fencer won an Olympic bronze medal and previously captured the junior world championship, establishing himself among the top U.S. fencers.
Ricci Luyties (volleyball) – Former professional indoor and beach volleyball player who later became a collegiate head coach at UC San Diego.
Jay Schroeder (football) – After graduating in 1979, he played quarterback in the NFL forthe Washington Redskins, Los Angeles Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals, and Arizona Cardinals.
Geoff Schwartz (football) – The former NFL offensive lineman played for the Carolina Panthers, Minnesota Vikings, Kansas City Chiefs, and New York Giants.
Mitchell Schwartz (football) – The three-time All-Pro offensive lineman played for the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs.
Tony Sills (golf) – One of just a few Pali High grads to compete on the PGA Tour.
See also:
Samohi Vikings
Brentwood Eagles
Crossroads Roadrunners
This page is maintained by the Santa Monica Sun Sports Desk. Last updated: July 10, 2026. Have an update, correction or missing information to add? Contact us at corrections@santamonicasun.com