Samo scores with new athletic director
Matilde Martine-Navarrete, Staff Writer
With fall sports in full gear, athletic activities are starting up again, this time with a change in staff. Samo’s new Athletic Director, Coleen Davenport-Paysinger, is ready to lead Samo Athletics into an unprecedented school year.
Davenport-Paysinger was the Head Athletic Trainer and sports medicine teacher at Beverly Hills High School (BHHS) for 25 years before coming to Samo. She knew all the inner workings of the sports at BHHS, and said the best part of her job was working with student athletes, who she says are the heart and soul of the department. During her time there, she completed her Master’s Degree in Athletic Administration.
Now, Davenport-Paysinger is working as Samo’s Athletic Director, which includes everything from preparing games and practices on and off campus to collaborating with coaches to plan events.
“Currently, the goal of our department is to ensure that our athletes have the best possible experience in sports with all the COVID restrictions,” Davenport-Paysinger said.
In addition, Davenport-Paysinger highlighted that she wants to create a student-athlete council so that student-athletes can participate in the planning and governing of the school teams. She also wishes to encourage multi-sport athletes, and bring more opportunities to novice athletes.
“I am looking forward to watching our students excel and compete with the best of the Bay League teams this year,” Davenport-Paysinger said.
Davenport-Paysinger encourages students to play as many sports as they can, noting the fitness, friendship and leadership opportunities they can provide. She hopes to see lots of students attending home games, either as a fan or an athlete, to help create positive experiences and a sense of community throughout Samo.
Photo by Matilde Martine-Navarrete