Testimonials
Néstor Daniel Espinoza-Agraz, Principal
Neil MacGaffey, Principal, Discovery Charter
— Sara Gomes, Athletic Director at the Waldorf School of San Diego.
“My name is Sara Gomes. I am the Physical Education Teacher and middle school Athletic Director at the Waldorf School of San Diego. I teach grades 1-8 and organize the athletics for our 6th-8th graders, which we have run through AthLEAD Advantages leadership for the past nine years. My school’s pedagogy has an emphasis on letting “kids be kids” without the pressure of too much competition until they’re at a developmental stage that finds it healthy and supportive. With the fast-paced and win at all costs attitude that many youth athletic organizations embody, I had a difficult time finding something that fit with our community. I have appreciated the program’s emphasis on encouraging young athletes to be accountable, to work hard, to accept both victory and defeat with dignity.
Logistically, AthLEAD Advantage has always been available for questions or concerns and has had clear communication with coaches, parents, administration, etc. I have appreciated the leadership team’s relationship with the coaches, keeping them as part of decision-making groups, as they understand the student-athletes. I will continue to work with AthLEAD Advantage because I know the children will come first.”
“Knowing the individuals creating this program and my personal interactions with them over the past few years, those that partner with this group will obtain a quality program that is geared towards:
Student Development
Customer service
Positive relationships with schools, parents and administrators
A safe environment for learning
AthLEAD advantage will provide it’s clients with a bona fide program unlike any athletic program offered in the past. Their approach and program commitments is changing the way we will look at physical education in the future."
— Reginald M. DePass, Retired Educator
“As coordinator of one of the largest elementary after school sports program in the country, I give the highest marks in professionalism and effectiveness to the AthLEAD staff. The team of officials are great with our kids while they still call a great game. Our coaches and parents respect the officials and in return AthLEAD Advantage staff bring the highest level of professionalism to every game. Any youth sports league would be in great hands with AthLEAD Advantage.”
— Gerardo Morales, CVESD After School Sports Coordinator
“My experience with the AthLEAD Advantage team has been outstanding. They work with our schedule and accommodate our needs by putting students first. The AthLEAD Advantage team are approachable and professional. During games they take the time to explain the rules to our first time athletes. Their ability to remain calm under pressure is a model for all of us to follow. The team leads us out being preventative vs reactive. They listen to understand and move forward with solutions together!”
— Cynthia Gómez ,Director of Business and Operations ,San Diego Global Vision Academy
Porter Elementary School has had the pleasure of building a partnership with AthLEAD Advantage over the last two years. During our collaboration, our school’s athletic programs have competed in organized team sports and played host to league games. During this time, the AthLEAD Advantage team has shown their ability to build a rapport with our community, organize events, and manage their staff. Overall, the team demonstrates that they are enthusiastic, caring, and go above and beyond in everything they do.
Porter Elementary School is located in a diverse neighborhood, and sports play a pivotal role in the lives of our students. Some of the services provided by AthLEAD Advantage include organizing league schedules, providing transportation, and managing referees. AthLEAD Advantage demonstrates strong communication skills and can work well with all participants. The team is professional and accessible, especially with coaches and school administrators. AthLEAD Advantage has been a great asset in providing sports consulting and supporting our student’s athletic needs.”
— Vincent Anthony,Principal, Porter Elementary School
“I have had the pleasure of working with the AthLEAD Advantage team for the past seven years. They have provided opportunities for our students to participate in many different sports. Throughout this entire time, our students were provided with an amazing experience. AthLEAD Advantage went above and beyond to support the needs of our school and created a fair and equitable culture within the organization. The leadership team effectively organized and grew a competitive basketball league for our middle-school-age boys and girls. When interest grew from our elementary-age students, they then created a league for these students as well. I wholeheartedly endorse AthLEAD Advantage I wouldn’t think twice to enroll any student in their program. I know they will be supported, respected, and appropriately cared for.”
— Vincent Anthony, Principal, Porter Elementary School
“I have worked in conjunction with the AthLEAD Advantage team, and they care a great deal about the social-emotional and academic well-being of all student-athletes. Their desire is for all learners is to excel in the field and the classroom.
AthLEAD Advantage demonstrates a thorough knowledge of interscholastic sports, combined with excellent verbal facility, which allows them to express and present topics to school administrators very well. The team has the physical energy and drive to do a good job, however demanding, in any setting. The rapport they have established with others, and the unofficial counseling they give to a school administrator, is truly admirable.”
— Ryan Woodard, CEO & Principal Harriet Tubman Village Charter School
"As the cheer coach at Darnall Charter School for the last three years, it’s been an absolute pleasure and invaluable opportunity for our students to be involved with the AthLEAD Advantage team. Working with them was efficient and effective due to their organization, clear communication, and professionalism in all areas. I was always impressed by how they addressed and modeled positive sportsmanship and teamwork both on and off the field and court. The first cheerleading competition organized and held by their organization was an unforgettable memory for our cheerleaders. Every small detail was planned out and attended to including scoring, safety, transportation, awards, and prizes. The memories they helped to create through athletics will last lifetimes for our students!"
— Lindsey Sanders, Teacher and Cheer Coach, Darnall Charter School
“AthLEAD Advantage are consummate professionals. Their leadership, expertise, and guidance helps plan and run an effective and cohesive athletic league. One can expect timely communication and competitively-appropriate matchups. In addition, the AthLEAD Advantage team goes the extra mile to work with various needs of specific programs. Students leave feeling validated, accomplished, and motivated to further pursue athletics. “
-Chuy Nunez, at Monarch School
“I had the privilege to partner with the AthLEAD Advantage team on several projects including implementing a physical education program in an elementary school and providing an extended school day program for at risk youth. Their ability to manage the programs along with the relationships that they built with the staff, students and parents, made the program successful. I would highly recommend the AthLEAD team to administrators and schools. I am looking forward to working on more projects with the AthLEAD team.
- Thomas Chavez , Educator/ District Administration
“It has been my pleasure to work with the AthLEAD Advantage team. Schools often face daunting challenges with limited resources. Joyner MicroSociety Magnet School was looking for a way to provide our teachers with weekly collaboration and development time while giving students meaningful instruction. They were able to provide a Physical Education program that contributed to mandated PE time, offered healthy cooking/eating classes, and character development. As with any school, Joyner faced particular logistical challenges that required flexibility and a willingness to problem-solve. AthLEAD Advantage delivered, and we were able to provide this program to students while juggling space limitations, recess/lunch schedules, and other campus needs. They tailored their program to our needs. To any school that is looking for a TRUE PARTNER, consider AthLEAD Advantage for your programmatic needs. It will be a worthwhile investment in your students and community.”
- Richard Gijon, San Diego Unified School Administrator,