EVERY GAME IS A ROAD GAME : Despite a Lack of Facilities, Athletic Programs at Crossroads Have Prospered.

At Crossroads High, there are no tennis courts, baseball or softball fields or gymnasium. The only on-campus athletic facilities are an outdoor basketball court and weight room.

“We spend a large amount of money just in renting facilities for practice and games,” said Chuck Ice, the school’s athletic director and baseball coach.

During the school year, the Crossroads soccer team often practices at Memorial Park in Santa Monica, and the cross-country teams might work out in Pacific Palisades. The tennis teams might be in Marina del Rey, and the basketball teams could be practicing at the Santa Monica Boys and Girls Club.

“Our transportation budget is phenomenal,” Ice said. “And you can see why.”

Despite the problems with logistics, the 14 athletic programs at Crossroads have prospered.

“There is just a lot of pride and tradition here,” said Craig Juda, a senior catcher on the baseball team. “Responsibility is a big thing with all the athletic programs here.”

Ice’s baseball program has one of the best records in the Southern Section since 1982. The Roadrunners have won or tied for the Delphic League title in nine of the past 10 years. From 1984-87, Crossroads reached the Southern Section Small Schools Division final and won two titles. The Roadrunners’ playoff record for the past 10 years is 24-8.

And they’ve done it without a home field. The Roadrunners practice and play whenever they can schedule time at one of the local parks.

Softball Coach Doug Thompson, in his fourth season, has built a winning program despite the obstacles.

“When I first arrived here, I did not know how they managed without any on-campus facilities,” Thompson said. “But then I saw how hard all the coaches worked and that’s how they get it done. I saw an opportunity to push myself and coach the girls at the same time.”

After inheriting a 1-18 team, Thompson led the Roadrunners to three consecutive league titles and a Southern Section championship last year.

“I had a chance to go to a public school (University High), but I wanted to play at Crossroads,” junior pitcher Jessica Schulman said. “I knew about the hassle of not having a practice facility at the school, but the positives of playing at Crossroads far outweighed that problem.

“The athletes at the school are much closer than at other schools. Everyone supports one another. There is a great deal of bonding.”

The closeness is most evident on the boys’ basketball team. After winning the Delphic League title this season, the Roadrunners were upset by Verbum Dei in the semifinals of the Southern Section V-AA Division playoffs.

For most schools, being upset in the playoffs could tarnish a program--but that wasn’t the case at Crossroads. The Roadrunners have reached the Southern Section final in six of the past 10 years under four coaches.

Coach Rich Makoff led Crossroads to the 1982 Small Schools title. Elliot Turrett guided the Roadrunners to Southern Section titles in 1983 and 1986 and a runner-up finish in 1984. The 1986 team was runner-up in State Division III.

In 1987, David Benezra led the Roadrunners to a Southern Section title and their first State championship. Daryl Roper took Crossroads to the Southern Section V-AA Division title last season.

“I think that we just get good athletes here, along with outstanding coaches,” said Ice, who has been at Crossroads for 12 years. “But we also get a total community effort to keep things going.”

Larry Wiener, who has coached girls’ basketball at Crossroads for 12 years, said the situation has improved in the past seven years.

“I remember that for the first five years that I coached here, we had to practice on the outdoor court,” Wiener said. “And when it rained, we moved inside to a classroom and played with an imaginary basketball.”

But Ice would like the days of adversity to come to an end. He dreams of an on-campus gym.

“We’ve been trying real hard but we just have to acquire the space to build it,” he said. “Not having one is not because of lack of effort. We’ve grown so much since I’ve been here, I just hope that we get one in my lifetime.”