The Jim Owens Achievement Award

Description & Explanation of Award 

The Spartans had just come off one of the most exciting years in school history finishing with a 20-7 record in 1991-92, but the Class of 1992-93 built on top of that season by capping an incredible 28-4 season. Finishing the year as the #2 ranked team in Division 3AA Basketball, CIF 3AA Finalist, State Regional Div. III Finalist and ranked #5 in the State & undefeated Pioneer League Champs! Needless to say, our season was filled with much deserved recognition and awards to members of the team and the program.

Wanting to make the Banquet a special one, we did our homework and found that in 1969, a former South High Spartan, by the name of Jim "The Big O" Owens was the only alumni to ever make such an impact in South High history by averaging about 27 points a games, shooting from three point range.  It earned him a Scholarship to Arizona State. After a successful career at Arizona, Jim Owens was drafted by the Phoenix Suns in 1973. He spent two years with the Suns before ending his NBA career.

Jim was a 3.5 student in school, he was an All League, All Area & All CIF player. In our eyes, Jim Exemplifies the idea athlete that excels on the court and in the classroom. At the banquet, Jim Owens attended and presented the Award to our first recipient. His head coach also attended. Jim Owens now resides in Whittier. And so, this award is given to an Athlete that fits the following criteria:

• An Athlete who sets high goals & upholds the Coaches standards & ideas to the best of his ability.
• An Athlete that strives to be the ebst he can be by outstanding achievements on the court and in the classroom to the coaches & schools satisfaction.
• Following the tradition of Jim Owens, this student-athlete has a good work ethic, a strong desire & is self-motivated to do well in both the gym and the classroom.

 Recipients of The Jim Owens Achievement Award