Coaches and Directors
Head Coach
- Ala-Gators Senior group coach 2000-present
- Ala-Gators Head Age group coach 1997-2000
- Attended Kansas University 1994-1997
- Member of Kansas University Swim team 1994-1997
- Member of SRVLA senior group 1992-1994
- Member of Kansas City Blazers swim team 1986-1992
- 13 years of coaching experience
- 14 years of competitive swimming experience
- Top 50 in the nation in 200 fly as a freshman at Kansas
- Two time Senior National qualifier
- Junior National Champion 1994 200 IM
- High school All-American 1994 200 IM
- NCS Champion 1994 100 Butterfly
- Have coached two sectional swimmers and multiple Far Western swimmers
- Two time Zone 2 All-Star coach
I love the sport of swimming. I have been involved with club swim teams since I was six years old. I respect all the parts that make a swim team whole. I feel like swimming gave me many opportunities and opened many doors career-wise for me. Since my last day of competing, I have felt it was my obligation to give back to the sport that taught me so much. I owe all the coaches I was lucky enough to swim for (Richard Thornton-SRVLA, Peter D. Malone-Kansas City Blazers, Gary Kempf-Kansas Swim Team) a big debt of gratitude. These coaches, as well as Steve Morsilli of PLS, taught me about the art of swimming as well as how it translates into everyday life. I spend my early mornings and late afternoons preaching these same things and more to my swimmers.
In my spare time I enjoy spending as much time as possible with my wife Monica and sons Zachary and Cody. Long walks in the evening and trips to the park are a daily routine. I also enjoy being around the coaches on my staff, they are my family and such an important part of my life.
I have been coaching swimmers for more than 40 years.
Personal/swimming experience: Swam for Treeview swim team (7 years) Capt. Moreau HS swim team, Chabot JC, Cal State University Hayward. NCS qualifier, JC All-America. Teach and Coach in the AUSD (33 years). Currently at Will C. Wood Middle School.
Swim Coaching experience: Head coach of the Treeview Dolphins swim team for 30 years, Assistant Coach for Cal State University, Hayward (1 year), Alameda Island Aquatics coach (23 years), Age group coach (11 years), Head coach (12 years), Encinal and Moreau HS men’s/women’s Head coach (10 years). I have coached “B” swimmers to Junior National Qualifiers including Weeden award winners, Western Zone All-stars, Quad meet All-stars, North American Challenge Cup All-stars, JO/Far Westerns High point winners, NSC and Sectional finalists.
Setting goals and attaining those goals through hard work, time management skills, being part of a team, and the thrill of racing is how all swimmers can achieve!
Personal Experience: Swam for the Alameda Swim Team for 12 years; Frank Weeden award winner (1976); US National meet qualifier; Junior National qualifier/champion (400 IM); Far Western qualifier/ champion (backstroke); NCS High School champion (100 back) representing St. Joseph Notre Dame High School; offered college scholarship to University of Wyoming; swam for Cal State, Hayward (college Nationals qualifier); elementary school teacher (30 years) currently teaching second grade at St. Joseph Elementary School, Alameda
Coaching Experience: Age group coach at Alameda Island Aquatics for 6 years (2013-2018)
Coaching Highlights: Coached many Far Western qualifiers, including Far Western champions; coached Frank Weeden award winner, Western Zone qualifiers, Junior Olympic qualifiers, and Zone All-Star meet qualifiers; believe proper technique ensures success and enhances potential.
I am entering my seventh year as a coach for the Ala-Gators, and have been loving every second of it. My coaching philosophy is to have the kids always strive for their best. This will not only yield good results in the pool but life-long lessons as well. Knowing you gave it your all is a great feeling, and is more important than any blue ribbon.
I have recently completed my B.A. In Environmental Studies from Cal State East Bay (Go Pioneers!). I'm still waiting for the perfect job (one that allows me to keep coaching!). In my free time I love to do anything outdoors, but especially on the ocean. On any given day you can find me surfing, stand-up paddle boarding, hiking, or backpacking. My loving and wonderful girlfriend Tanya accompanies me on many of these trips.
If there is one thing I want my swimmers or parents to know is that I like to be asked questions. A swimmer should know exactly what they are trying to do in any given pool situation. If you don't know or understand, ask!
With my time being split between work and coaching, I find time to do what I enjoy. Along with swimming, I love the game of water polo, and play whenever I get the chance. I coach Varsity Women's water polo for Alameda High School, along with the U12 water polo group for the Neptunes water polo club. Between all of these teams, I enjoy sharing my knowledge with the many age group athletes. I consider this team a family and do what I can to keep my swimmers happy and make sure they have fun at every practice.
Currently I am a student at Cal State East Bay and majoring in Kinesiology. I balance commuting to school four days a week and going to work on a regular basis. Besides this I enjoy playing water polo in my free time and spending time with friends and family. If there are any other questions please come and talk to me! I am more than happy to answer to the best of my ability and would love to get to know all my swimmers.
