Athletics

Athletic Department Information

List of 4 items.

  • Athletic Director - Sammy Skinner Jr., CAA

    "It has been a privilege to lead Maranatha’s athletic department over the past three years. The entire athletic staff and coaches have shown a great deal of growth and leadership for our young people. They all have been tireless in their efforts to achieve greatness in our young people in the areas of academics, athletics, and personal spiritual growth. It is an honor to have the level of professionalism in our entire athletic department. I employ you to take a look at our website. You will see the highest level of professional coaches that will rival any high school across the country. We welcome you to be a part of this special place we call Maranatha High School."

    Prior to becoming an athletic director in 2008, Skinner had the privilege of coaching at both the high school and collegiate levels where he led teams to five state championships. He’s been fortunate to learn from amazing mentors while also being able to pay it forward, helping students achieve their dreams of earning college scholarships, playing professional sports, and competing in the Olympics. 

    Skinner is an NIAAA Certified Athletic Administrator with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from the University of Montevallo. In addition to his time in athletics, he has held faculty positions in biological sciences. Skinner credits his classroom experience with instilling a belief in the value of both athletic and academic excellence. He is known for creating athletic environments that not only reflect the importance of excellence in all areas, but also bringing parents, students, and faculty together to positively impact the community.

    Skinner and his family relocated from Orlando, Florida to Southern California. This Alabama native never imagined his path would lead his family to California but he understands there is nothing that happens in life without God’s plan. Skinner says, "It has been a great opportunity to join the Maranatha family. It has been a blessing, and I look forward to continuing to work with our administration, teachers, parents, and students. It is in God’s hands. He will direct our path to be known, be challenged, and be transformed."

    Contact Sammy Skinner via email or direct line (626) 817-4060

  • Athletic Communications and Admissions Liaison - Matt Shupper M.A.T

    Matt Shupper brings a wealth of knowledge and experience into the Maranatha Athletics Department. Shupper is a graduate of Whitworth University where he played college baseball, and majored in Communications and Leadership Studies. In 2004, Shupper joined West Coast Sports Management where he worked as a sports agent for over 50 MLB and Minor League Baseball players over the span of 6 years.

    Shupper later felt called into the classroom and back on the field. He pursued a Masters in Teaching and graduated from the University of Southern California in 2011. Shupper taught online for 6 years and began coaching at Maranatha as the varsity baseball coach in 2012. During his time coaching here, Shupper has also worked in the Marketing and Communications department and taught Physical Education classes. 

    Matt and his wife Beth have 3 children Carter, Bentley and Owen.

    Contact Matt Shupper via email or direct line (626) 817-4063 

  • Certified Athletic Trainer - Alicia Vessey, ATC, CES. '08

    Alicia Vessey ‘08 is beginning her third year as the Certified Athletic Trainer (AT) for Maranatha High School. During her time as a student at Maranatha, she fell in love with athletic training and decided to pursue a career in the field of sports medicine. She received her Bachelor's degree in Athletic Training from Azusa Pacific University and has been working as an AT since 2012. When asked what her favorite part of the job is, Vessey said “One of the best parts about sports medicine is helping injured athletes return to playing the sport(s) they love. Here at Maranatha, I have the privilege of doing that on a daily basis! Not only that, but I have the opportunity to share my passion for athletic training and love for the Lord with our students.” Vessey is grateful to the Maranatha families for entrusting her with the health and safety of their student-athletes.

    Contact Alicia Vessey via email or direct line (626) 817-4064

  • Athletic Operations Coordinator - 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
Phone: 626 817 4000

Twitter: @wearemaranatha

Instagram: @maranatha_minutemen_athletics

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

2020-2021 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.