Athletics

Athletic Department Information

List of 3 items.

  • Director of Athletics & Sports Medicine - Alicia Vessey, ATC, CES. '08

    Alicia Vessey ‘08 is beginning her seventh year at Maranatha High School. After serving as Maranatha’s Certified Athletic Trainer (AT) for the past six years, she now steps into her second year as the Director of Athletics & Sports Medicine. Vessey is grateful for the opportunity to support all aspects of athletics in this role and says “we are blessed to have a phenomenal coaching staff who care deeply about helping each student-athlete pursue excellence through their God-given talents. Athletics provides an unparalleled setting to help these young men and women acquire life-long skills and I am excited to see what this year holds for our teams!” In this new role, Vessey says that she gets to combine her passion for athletics, sports medicine, and love for the Lord and share that with our students and coaches on a daily basis. 


    Contact Alicia Vessey via email or direct line (626) 817-4060

  • Assistant Director of Athletics - Richard Morales

    Richard Morales graduated from Hope International University in the Spring of 2017 where he played 2 seasons of basketball (2014-2016) with the Royals under Coach Czech during their historic run of 33-3 while finishing third in the NAIA National Tournament in the ‘14-‘15 season. “Playing collegiate basketball was one the most rewarding times of my life” Richard expressed, “The countless life lessons learned from working cohesively as a team and overcoming adversity to reach our goals ultimately proved to be the best part of playing collegiate basketball.”

    After graduating with his B.A. in English Literature, Richard went on to teach middle school English at Coastline Christian School in Alameda, California for two years where he also coached boys’ basketball and led their flag football team to their first winning season in school history while earning their first division championship. Promptly after finishing his second year at Coastline, Richard and his wife Samantha decided it was best to move back home to Southern California for the birth of their daughter Rosalie in 2019.  From 2019 to 2021, Richard worked as the acting Athletic Director and Middle School English Teacher for Arcadia Christian School as he coached the Lions basketball teams before sports were impacted by Covid-19.

    “My family and I are extremely excited for this new opportunity and looking forward to facing challenges head on in order to progress our department and sports program here at Maranatha. I know God has led me here for a reason and I can’t wait to see how I can best utilize my unique skills and abilities to help support our coaches, teams, and colleagues at Maranatha.”



    Contact Richard Morales via email or direct line (626) 817-4061

  • Certified Athletic Trainer - Synclaire Hamilton, MS, ATC

    Synclaire Hamilton joined the Maranatha High School Athletic Staff for the 2024-25 academic year, bringing valuable experience from both the industrial sector and several California Community Colleges, where she provided care to athletes across various sports. A native of the Bay Area, Hamilton holds a Bachelor's Degree in Applied Exercise Science (2018) and a Master's Degree in Athletic Training (2020) from Azusa Pacific University. She also earned her NATABOC certification in 2020. 
     
    Outside of her professional duties, Hamilton enjoys family time, traveling, and cooking. She is a passionate fan of the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Phone: 626 817 4000

Twitter: @wearemaranatha

Instagram: @maranatha_minutemen_athletics

External Website: www.wearemaranatha.com
(PLEASE SEE THE EXTERNAL WEBSITE FOR SCHEDULES)

Athletics Transfer Eligibility Links

Philosophy

Athletics at Maranatha High School provides a co-curricular opportunity for student-athletes who meet our school’s standards of spiritual, academic and physical well being, to represent our school in athletic competition. It is our stated goal to use the various sport activities not only to develop the athletic skills and abilities of our student-athletes, but also to emphasize spiritual growth and life skills (self-discipline, endurance, perseverance, personal integrity, cooperation, to name a few). MHS athletes strive to be both CHRIST-LIKE in EFFORT and in ATTITUDE at all times. Athletics provides the avenue for which we develop these important areas of our student-athletes’ lives. Our athletes are to be committed to their teams, act with integrity, and compete with sportsmanship, character and pride at all times. Maranatha High School athletics include but are not limited to the following characteristics:
  • Scholar Athletes: Interscholastic athletics are a valuable part of the MHS co-curricular experience. MHS is a college preparatory high school; academics are the first and foremost priority for each student. While it may be challenging at times, those who participate in team competitions have a responsibility to manage their time and commit fully to their teams and obligations.
  • Integrity: MHS scholar athletes compete ethically, fairly and with respect to themselves, teammates, opponents, and officials. MHS pursues CIF’s goal of victory with honor and dismisses a “win at all cost” attitude.
  • Sportsmanship: Sportsmanship and fair play are invaluable components of the MHS athletic program. Coaches, athletes, and parents are expected to represent MHS in a manner that is respectful of others, both on and off the field of play. It is the objective of all participants to develop and maintain the highest standards of courtesy, emotional discipline, and good sportsmanship.
  • Character: Through participation in athletics, MHS scholar athletes learn lessons in sportsmanship, teamwork, goal setting, competition, overcoming adversity, and winning and losing with proper decorum. MHS recognizes that the purpose of interscholastic athletics is to promote the physical, mental, moral, social and emotional well-being of the athlete. Participation in MHS athletic programs is a privilege, not a right. To earn that privilege, student athletes must abide by the rules and they must conduct themselves, on and off the field, as positive role models who exemplify CHRIST-LIKE character.
  • Pride: Athletic competition provides a venue through which our community comes together in support of each individual athlete and team. Our athletic program commits to excellence and takes pride in its growth, participation and success. The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) has many policies and procedures governing interscholastic athletic events. CIF guidelines are kept on file in the Athletic Office and can be found on www.cifss.org. The following policies and procedures summarize important CIF and MHS systems regarding both athletic events and the Athletic Department.
Maranatha believes that an athletic program provides opportunities for students to acquire tools for lifelong personal growth. These tools include self discipline, responsibility, cooperation, ability to work as a team, perseverance, desire to play fair, and class in both winning and losing.