Sandia Prep’s AD on keeping student-athletes in action during challenging times
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — It could have been the stuff of nightmares: Student athletes sweating, colliding, traveling, spending prolonged periods together during a pandemic. Or, alternatively, entire seasons and athletic careers derailed because of shutdowns.
But with the concerted efforts of a team of committed people, Sandia Prep managed to
keep student-athletes in action during an unimaginably challenging time, according to Prep’s
Athletic Director, Willie Owens.
“I would definitely say our successes have been because our school has been on board
with supplying our coaching staff with all available means to have our kids be able to compete at
the highest level,” he said.
Among the tools that Prep has used to keep student-athletes in action are face masks, sanitizer, and a COVID-19 screening app that staff, students, opponents, and officials had to log into, as well as having their temperature checked, Owens explained. Students without phones were able to check in via iPads provided around campus.
“We’ve been one of only two schools to do that on a consistent basis,” he added. Even when public health orders were relaxed on masks outdoors, Sandia Prep’s policy was to continue making them mandatory. Owens credits School Nurse Lynn Jeffries and Athletic Trainer Cathy Walters “running point on this whole thing.”
“It’s been challenging, but I like the parameters we’ve put in place,” Owens said. “They have allowed us to stay safe and allowed our kids to compete.”
Students and coaches have been diligent in following the health protocols, which not only allowed them to compete but to succeed. Even with seasons combined, delayed, and compressed, Boys Varsity Soccer and Girls Varsity Volleyball captured state championship trophies. Both the Boys and Girls Varsity Basketball teams earned berths in the state tournament. The Varsity Dance Team placed second at state. And the League of Legends eSports team placed first in the State Championships. Spring sports — lacrosse, baseball, track, and tennis — will compete through the end of May, pausing for finals week.
“It’s challenging to pause right in the middle of the season, but we made sure the other schools understand the mission of our school: academics first, athletics second,” Owens explained. “We will be back after Memorial Day.”
While Owens is reluctant to give himself any credit for Prep’s achievements, he has been an integral part of the school’s athletics program for 27 years, the past four as athletic director. He stepped in when Pete MacFarlane retired after 42 years.
Owens was named the New Mexico Activities Association Athletics Rookie Athletic Director of the Year his inaugural year. Prep then won the NMAA Subway 3A Director’s Cup two years in a row. The award is based on excellence in activities, athletics, and sportsmanship.
“We’re going for a third year in a row,” he added. Owens also took time in 2021 to become a nationally certified athletic director. “You never stop. You try to get better at your craft,” he explained. “You hire the right people, and they make the school look good.”
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