Athletics

Shady Side Academy is pleased to announce the appointment of Jeff Perlis as the new Head Coach of the Girls Cross Country program.

Shady Side Academy is excited to announce the appointment of Jim Dudas as the new Head Coach of the boys varsity basketball team. A seasoned leader with more than 20 years of coaching experience, Dudas brings a deep knowledge of the game, a proven track record of success, and a strong commitment to student-athlete development.

With proud families, coaches, and college counselors cheering them on, 11 Shady Side Academy senior student-athletes were celebrated during a spring recognition ceremony on Friday, May 2, on the Mary Hillman Jennings Plaza. In total, 13 seniors from the Class of 2025 have committed to play their sport at the collegiate level across NCAA Division I and III programs. Representing seven sports, these student-athletes have demonstrated remarkable dedication, discipline, and perseverance—both in competition and in the classroom. 

The Shady Side girls 3,200-meter relay team turned in a championship-worthy performance at the WPIAL Class 2A Track & Field Championships on May 14 at Slippery Rock University—winning first place and setting a new WPIAL meet record with a time of 9:34.10. Their win highlighted a strong overall showing for SSA athletes at the meet.

Sophomore Justin J. was named a U.S. Squash Scholar Athlete for the 2023–24 season, earning the honor as a freshman. The award recognizes high school players who maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher while competing in at least 12 accredited matches during the season.

Shady Side Academy’s Senior School teams wrapped up an exciting winter 2024–25 season, with standout achievements, breakthrough performances, and strong finishes across the board.

For the third straight season, Shady Side Academy girls basketball head coach Jonna Burke has been named WPIAL Class 3A Coach of the Year by the "TribLive High School Sports Network."

The Shady Side Academy Girls Varsity Squash team made history this season, reaching new heights with standout performances, key individual achievements, and a strong sense of camaraderie.

Congratulations to Shady Side Academy sophomore Ava J. for attaining USA Swimming 2023-2024 Scholastic All-American. To be recognized, the athlete must maintain a minimum 3.5 grade-point average (unweighted) and meet certain competition criteria during the academic school year. 

For the second straight year, the Shady Side Academy Girls Varsity Basketball team is headed to the WPIAL Championship—and they’re looking to bring home another title.

The Shady Side Academy girls 4x800 relay team is making history. At the SPIRE Scholastic Showcase, juniors Rhyley B., Sarah K. and Ella V. N., along with sophomore Charlotte B., shattered the indoor school record with a remarkable time of 9:45.56—good for a second-place finish at the meet. Their time is currently the fastest in the WPIAL across all classifications and ranks seventh in Pennsylvania, marking them as one of the top relay squads in the state.

Shady Side Academy recently announced the appointment of alumnus Andrew Geisler ’12 as the new head coach of the Varsity Football team. A seasoned collegiate coach with a passion for mentoring student-athletes, Geisler brings extensive experience and a deep connection to his alma mater.

Shady Side Academy is taking an exciting step forward in the evolution of girls’ ice hockey. After a year of strategic research and planning, the Girls’ Hockey Performance Program will launch in the 2025–26 school year, offering a new model that prioritizes elite development while preserving the exceptional academic experience that defines SSA.

Shady Side Academy junior Karis T. reached a remarkable milestone, scoring her 1,000th career point during a hard-fought game against Berlin Brothersvalley. The standout point guard, now in her third year on the Bulldogs’ Girls Basketball team, made program history while leading her team to victory.

Shady Side Academy’s Fall 2024 athletics season was marked by impressive achievements. The Girls Golf and Field Hockey teams won WPIAL championships, while Boys and Girls Cross Country, Girls Tennis, and Boys Golf advanced athletes to the PIAA championships. Boys Soccer earned a playoff upset, and Girls Soccer, Tennis, and Volleyball players received postseason honors.