The De Anza athletic department is encouraging any and all interested athletes to come out and play on a team. “They need not be experienced or have played the sport, just the interest and desire needs to be there,” says Athletic Director Al Vacio.

“We are looking at trying to win the conference this year, Ohlone is our main competition,” said water polo Coach Justin Nicholas. Nicholas says that since losing five of his starting players from last year, his team is very small and he encourages both men and women to come out and give it a try.

Nichols coached the Dons to a 4-2 record in league and the team placed second in the Bay Valley Conference. “If all our starters returned we could have easily taken our league, but we still have our hopes up. We are looking to build a team.”

Vacio says that any athlete interested in any sport should talk to the coach as soon as possible, because the teams begin training and off-season workouts well before the season starts, including classes. “The quarter system really makes it difficult for incoming students, as most high schools and other colleges are on semester systems, so we actually get less practice and little to no pre-season sports action,” said Vacio.

“We don’t have tryouts, just come on out and have some fun,” said Nichols.

Vacio says that many athletes have started playing at De Anza with no prior experience and have turned into fantastic players. He says that everyone is welcome, they should just come out with the desire to play and they’ll succeed and have fun.

Contact the coaches via the list opposite this article, or contact Athletic Director Al Vacio for information.

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Contact coaches for more information:

Cross Country- Jim Linthicum 408-864-8647

Football- Mike Mitchell 408-864-8909

Men’s Soccer- Kulwant Singh 408-864-8745

Women’s Soccer- Cheryl Owiesny 408-864-8782

Women’s Volleyball- Dawnis Guevara 408-864-8555

Water Polo- Justin Nicholas 408-864-8926

Athletic Director- Al Vacio 408-864-8594

Academic Advisor- Matt Trosper 408-864-8646

Trainer- Shannon Bracy 408-864-8746