Beyond the Field: The Evolving Role of Athletics in Public Schools
Athletics is often viewed as an extracurricular perk—but at Facilitron University 4, a panel of educators and athletic leaders challenged that narrative. In “Beyond the Field: The Evolving Role of Athletics in Public Schools,” the discussion explored how sports programs serve as essential infrastructure for school culture, community connection, and even operational strategy.
View the full session:
Led by moderator Grace Vote, the panel featured:
- Ken Perrotti, Athletic Director, Los Gatos High School
- Manny Diaz, Retired Head Tennis Coach, University of Georgia
- Marco Sanchez, Assistant Commissioner, CIF Central Coast Section
- Lisa Hertrich, Chief of Staff to the Superintendent, Albuquerque Public Schools
The Front Porch of the School
Ken Perrotti opened with a metaphor that resonated across the panel:
“Your athletic program is the front porch of your school. And 99% of the people that come into contact and do that—it only comes through these events on campus.”
Whether it’s 200 parents at a weekday game or 4,000 people for a weekend track meet, athletic events are often the public’s first and only interaction with a school. That experience, Perrotti emphasized, has to be welcoming, organized, and reflective of the district’s values.
“It takes a lot of planning, it takes a lot of communication… you want to make sure people have what they need, and solve any issues that come up during the course of those events.”
Sports Build Community—and Standards
From the collegiate level, Manny Diaz underscored how athletics can be a bridge between the institution and the community.
“We host Easter Egg Hunts, we hold free clinics before our matches… we feel like if we can get kids to connect with our athletes, they create this bond—and all of a sudden, you get the kids and you get the parents coming out for matches.”
But that visibility also brings responsibility.
“Our top biology student gets a DUI, nobody notices. Our number one singles player gets a DUI—it’s front page news in Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, and Macon for a week. So it’s important for us to really educate our kids… they are role models in our community.”
Athletics as an Intervention Tool
Marco Sanchez, who oversees more than 170 schools for CIF Central Coast Section, shared how sports shape climate and character in schools of every size and demographic.
“Sports is the ultimate intervention program. It challenges students to perform in a classroom, makes them remain eligible, teaches them teamwork, teaches them work ethic, gives them purpose, gives them goals.”
He recalled how entire towns would shut down for a football game or a homecoming parade—demonstrating the cultural weight athletics can carry in places like Gilroy or Los Gatos.
“There’s a lot of pride and a lot of generations invested in the school… it just creates that championship experience.”
Modern Challenges and Technology Gaps
While community engagement through athletics is powerful, Lisa Hertrich highlighted the operational realities behind the scenes. Before switching to Facilitron, she described a fragmented world of calendars, paper forms, and billing delays.
“One of the most stubborn groups I’ve had to deal with are my athletic people. You can change to a different platform, and some of the same problems still follow… There has to be open lines of communication--your athletic staff has to know that they can trust that you’re backing them.”
Despite some early resistance, she emphasized the importance of clear communication and creating a culture of trust.
“I don’t want to take from you. I want to add value to the programs that you have in place… I can help you, but I need you.”
Transparency, Maintenance, and Collaboration
As districts grapple with the cost of facility wear-and-tear, Perrotti explained how platforms like Facilitron help ensure costs are shared equitably—even among internal users like coaches.
“Yes, you’re trying to make as much money for your program. But there’s always a cost associated… every time a group goes out there and uses the facility, that’s wear and tear.”
He also uses maintenance blocks to protect fields, plan repairs, and avoid overuse.
“We have our dead week period where none of my programs are even allowed to be on campus. I block out all the athletic facilities.”
Weekly meetings with key stakeholders are essential.
“We’re only as good as the information that we get in. That’s where we discover a lot of the issues… For this to really work, you have to meet once a week with your stakeholders.”
Final Takeaway: Athletics Are More Than the Game
From community-building and culture to compliance and campus logistics, athletics touches nearly every corner of public education. As Diaz put it bluntly:
“It’s leadership and compliance, right?”
Managing athletics in today’s environment isn’t just about wins and losses—it’s about infrastructure, character, and intentional collaboration. And with the right tools and mindset, it can be one of the most powerful assets a district has.