Local Education/Sports News

“What we are hoping to accomplish is to build a culture for all athletics,” said Corbin Smith, football coach for CHS. “[It] revolves around passion, excellence in and out of the classroom, accountability, empowerment, discipline and growth.”

The first opportunity players will have to do that comes Sept. 2 as ALA faces off against Verrado High School in its opening game. The team’s first game in front of its home crowd comes two weeks later on Sept. 16 against South Mountain High School.

The team has veteran experience on both ends of the ball, with 25 seniors on the squad. That leadership has been key over the course of the off season as the team prepares for its first game at noon on Saturday, Aug 20. Eastmark’s first home game is Sept. 8 against ALA Gilbert North.

The many hours and months of preparation all lead up to Queen Creek’s opening game, out of state, against San Joaquin Memorial on Sept. 3. Fans can catch the team’s first home game the following week, Sept. 9 against defending State Champions, Saguaro.

The Arizona Sports Hall of Fame honors athletes, coaches, administrators and others who have made significant contributions to Arizona sports.

With the coaches all sharing the same goals as the athletic director, they have the freedom to establish their team’s culture, something that can often last far beyond a coach’s time with the team. That freedom to build their team and program the way they see fit is a big reason why many coaches made the move to Crismon.

Until the wintertime arrives, the team is focusing on using the last few chances it has in the off season to identify its weaknesses and improve upon them ahead of a tough battle for playoffs in the 6A season.

Arizona Soccer Club’s under-13 girls team features seven players from Queen Creek

He has 11 years of coaching experience as head track and field coach at Boulder Creek High School and as assistant sprint coach with the Phoenix Elite Track Club (post collegiate athletes).