Happy New Year! The Oaks are back in action and in less than two weeks nearly all of Menlo's 13 varsity sports will be competing, training, or meeting to prepare to do one of the two. It is an exciting time as winter sports are in mid-season, spring sports are just starting and fall sports are preparing for their non-traditional season (limited practice sessions).

What I have been reflecting on lately is the commitment of our assistant coaches. It is always a great sign when an athletic department has student-athlete alumni returning to work as assistant coaches. It means that the alumni immensely valued their experience and want to pass it on to the new players and maintain a strong bond with their head coach and mentor.

Currently we have several alumni coaching with us. Justin Trott is an assistant with the men's basketball team as well as Trevor Mates, who works in a volunteer capacity. Both Trott and Mates played for prior Menlo head coach Keith Larsen, now at Stanislaus State. Ashlynn Dolcini and Maria Gomez work as women's basketball assistant coaches. Both helped build the women's basketball program into one that is now nationally respected. Kevin Estes and Adam Hazel currently coach with our football program, and both played together for current head coach, Mark Kaanapu. Joey Martinez and Jose Sanchez wrestled side by side for some of current head coach Keith Spataro's most successful teams and now serve as assistant coaches for the nationally ranked squad.

We are really indebted to these former alumni who work with our head coaches. Many of them work in a volunteer capacity, but all of them coach because they had a great experience with Menlo Athletics. They want to maintain the ties, they want to start future careers in coaching, and they all have Menlo Athletics in their heart.

Happy New Year and GO MENLO!