Falcons Forever.
This phrase inscribed on the new Sports Plaza holds true for many alumni, especially for those who have returned to the nest to coach at the school
For example, current girls’ varsity volleyball coach Brad Frederickson, Saratoga class of 1976, played tennis and basketball all four years at the school. Although there was no high school boys’ volleyball team at the time, Frederickson went on to play volleyball at University of California, Santa Barbara.
His coaching career began in 2004, when he received a call from a student volleyball player’s parent. The student heard that Frederickson played volleyball in college and wanted to know if he would coach.
“Reluctantly, I said ‘OK’ I would try it, and here I am 10 years later!” Frederickson said.
When he first started, he coached both boys’ and girls’ volleyball, but since 2008, he has coached only the varsity girls.
Frederickson continues to be involved with the sports program to give back to his school.
“I coach because I love the game,” Frederickson said. “It [is] a great experience for me and I want to give back hoping other young people will have that same kind of experience.”
Another coach with earlier ties to the school is Courtney Crase, a 2002 graduate who works as a special education teacher and coaches boys’ water polo. She coached girls for five seasons and has now coached boys for four.
During high school, she participated in swimming and water polo. Crase set the record for most goals scored in one season (119 goals), but her record was recently broken by one of her players, 2013 alumnus Stephen Cho, who scored 133 goals last season.
She was also named an All-American Water Polo Player and the SHS Falcon Athlete of the Year in 2002.
Coming back “home” to coach and teach is special to Crase.
“The best part about coaching is giving adolescents something to have pride in and helping to build a strong bond with teammates,” Crase said.
A more recent graduate who is coaching is Raven Sisco, class of 2011, who leads the freshman girls’ volleyball team. Sisco played volleyball, basketball and softball throughout high school.
Sisco currently attends San Jose State and plans on becoming a high school English teacher. She feels that coaching has tremendously helped her in the pursuit of her goal.
“I hope to one day inspire as much passion in my students as I do my athletes, and I thank all of the players I have coached for helping me become a better educator,” Sisco said.
By staying active athletes themselves, coaching students and planting the desire to play hard and work hard in the Saratoga community, these alumni can truly say they are “Falcons forever.”