Athletics
A message from the athletic director:
Thank you for visiting the Santa Rosa Academy Athletics page! We are so happy to have the opportunity to provide our students the tremendous opportunity to be well-rounded individuals through athletics. The main goal for these programs is to teach life-lessons to our student-athletes through sports. None of this would be possible without the generous support of all of our student-athlete families, the Booster Club, and their donations. Thanks!
~ Mr. Shives
Mr. Shives: Athletic Director and Soccer Coach
Email: jshives@santarosaacademy.org
I am the middle school boys and high school soccer coach at Santa Rosa. I also teach some math! I played club and high school soccer as a young person in West Tennessee, and played my college soccer at Chapman University in Orange County. I’ve been coaching club and high school soccer locally since 2006. As the head of the soccer programs, my main goals are to develop a basic understanding of the fundamentals of the game, to learn how to compete hard, and to discover life lessons that soccer and other sports can teach us, all while representing our school with strong character. See you on the pitch!
Coaching Staff
Mr. Sanchez: Flag Football, MS Baseball
Email: msanchez@santarosaacademy.org
Hi I’m Coach Sanchez. Some of you might know me as the middle school Math and Engineering teacher, but I also love to coach sports. I am currently the Middle School Varsity Flag Football and Middle School Baseball coach. I believe that sports are a great way to build character and discipline; I try to model these traits every time I take the field as a coach. My number one objective is that our student-athletes have fun. Winning is great, but its not everything, I’d much rather teach my players to respect and have a love for the game.
Mrs. McNeal: MS Soccer, MS Volleyball, HS Girls Basketball
Email: kmcneal@santarosaacademy.org
I teach Physical Education here at Santa Rosa, in addition to currently coaching the girls soccer team with Coach Woods. Growing up I was constantly involved in sports. The values and lessons I learned when participating on a sports team have been priceless. When you are dedicated and determined to set and reach goals as a student athlete, your success is limitless. I thoroughly enjoy coaching and exemplifying the value of great character, commitment, and hard work to our athletes here at school. I look forward to coaching a great group of girls to be passionate about what we do everyday in practice and competition.
Mr. McNeal: MS Volleyball
Email: mmcneal@santarosaacademy.org
Bio coming soon
Mr. Zinter: MS Basketball
- 22+ years of coaching experience
- Kurt Rambis Basketball Camp as Counselor/Coach
- 2 years Magic Johnson Basketball Camp as Coach @ Elementary and High School Level
- 2 years International Youth Travel club in Europe coaching in Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, and Hungary
- Brief stint as player professionally for UB Club Mattersburg in Austria
- Multiple local schools and youth leagues, including National Junior Basketball and Valley Wide in Menifee
Kids are what it’s all about!! If I’ve learned anything over the years it’s that if you show a child they’re valuable and hold kids to a high standard of excellence and character they will meet and even exceed your expectations. It is paramount to instill in a player the knowledge and effort it takes to compete. Even though athletic ability and skill are important I’ve found the most skilled players aren’t necessarily the most effective players on the court. Instead it’s the player that understands how to play as an integral member of a team and give the greatest effort. I try to teach the players the reasoning behind specific skills and the concepts behind certain defenses and offenses. I believe this takes the game beyond simple X’s and O’s and instills a deeper understanding of the game of basketball, which allows the player to adapt and adjust during the athletic event. A child also needs to fully understand they can’t be afraid to make mistakes, everyone makes mistakes, but it’s the person who forgets about it and moves on to concentrate on the task at hand who has the greatest outcome. Winning isn’t everything…but the EFFORT it takes to win is invaluable. If my team gives 100% effort at all times and we lose the game then as a coach I’m satisfied. In contrast, if we win by 30 points and don’t give an all out effort then we’ve got work to do as individual players and as a team. Kids are what it’s all about!!
Mr. Gaylord: Basketball, Baseball & Flag Football
Email: jgaylord@santarosaacademy.org
I am an athlete and sports fan who has participated in various sports over the years. I believe that there is no substitute for hard work. Players should be dedicated to working hard both on and off the field. Athletes should also be good teammates and be a part of the team whether it be playing in the game, sitting on the bench, or making sure teammates are on task in the classroom. Athletes that buy into this philosophy of working hard and being good teammates, I believe, will be successful in the many ventures of life that they pursue in the present and future.
Ms. Woods: MS Soccer
Email: mwoods@santarosaacademy.org
I coach the girls’ middle school soccer team with Coach McNeal. Soccer is my first love and I’ve played since I was six years old. As a coach I hope to help my players develop endurance and ball skills but more than anything I hope to increase their ability to work as a team and show good sportsmanship. These abilities will be beneficial to my players in all of their future endeavors. Go Rangers!
Mr. Hartman: Golf
Golf Coach John Hartman, most notably, husband of SRA teacher Mrs. Hartman. Loves the game of golf (has even played Augusta National Golf Club). Enjoys teaching the student athletes, not only the game, but how the game is similar in so many ways to life.
Ms. Mize: Cheer
Email: caitlinmize@gmail.com
Caitlin Mize has been coaching at SRA since February 2010. She has cheered for a total of six years and is currently on the MSJC cheer squad, while working toward her bachelors degree in psychology. In her free time, she enjoys water skiing, playing tennis, and spending time with her family.
“Nothing great has ever been achieved without enthusiasm.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ms. Carpenter: Cross Country
Email: wcarpenter@santarosaacademy.org
Besides teaching, running is my other passion in life! I ran Track and Field in high school, participating in almost all running events. I started running long-distance with my dad my senior year of high school, and I’ve been running long-distance ever since. I love my runs along with tough workouts. Up to date, I’ve run a ½ marathon, too many 5k and 10k’s to count, a mini triathlon, 200-mile Ragnar Relay, and two full marathons. Both of my full marathons qualified me for the Boston Marathon, which I plan to run in April 2012.Coaching Cross Country has always been one of my dreams! I believe running teaches many life lessons such as dedication, perseverance, hard work; and on top of it all, running can be a life-long sport! My goals are to pass on successful and safe running skills, as well as teach my athletes to believe in themselves. Athletes will be able to set goals and have the strength of mind to reach those goals both physically and academically. I also want the athletes to have fun while creating a strong team to represent Santa Rosa Academy!
Mr. Taylor: HS Volleyball
Email: grayglow1@gmail.com
I’ve been playing competitive Volleyball for most of my life. I started playing on the beaches of Laguna. The transition from sand to hard court was an easy one. Learning the strategies of a six man team and working together with others to develop my skills eventually earned me a place playing against the 1984 Olympic, Men’s Volleyball Team as they practiced in the old courts in Balboa Park.
Volleyball, as with all team sports requires good communication and good planning and preparation in order to carry out the strategies needed to compete at a high level. Teaching fundamental principles, even to experienced players is a must and creates a greater and deeper field of ready players.
As a semi –retired Special Education teacher I have learned that all students have specific talents and skills. My goal will be to enhance those talents and skills already recognized and perhaps help them to discover others not as apparent as they strive to become the best in all aspects of life, including volleyball.
Mr. Granados: M.S. Flag Football
Email: jgranados@santarosaacademy.org
Hi, I am Coach Granados or Coach G. I am currently the Middle School Physical Education teacher. I love sports, but my favorite sport is basketball, and I play on adult leagues in Orange County. I want to pass on my knowledge and the love for any given sport that I coach to my players. I want my players to know that it is not about winning, but about the effort that is put into the game. Finally, I want my players to take me for an example that it is not how big you are, but how big you play.