The Preuss School Girl's Basketball

Hi Everyone,

As most of you know I am the Head Girls Basketball Coach at The Preuss School at UCSD.
I have been a part of this amazing program for 4 years, the last two including this year as the head coach.
After being at the college level for nearly 25 years, I thought my coaching career was over.
But as the saying goes, one door closed and another opened. The programs previous Coach, Staci Gregorio, asked me to help out the program as an assistant, and for two years I did. And when she left for Barcelona, Spain, she and the girls asked me to take over and I accepted. And it's one of the best decisions I've ever made. Thank you Staci, Thao, Tiff, Jeneah, Pau, and CT for making me feel like this was where I was supposed to be.
This High School is an incredible place. They are ranked number one in San Diego County academically and are top five in the state and in the top 50 nationally. It's an incredible accomplishment and speaks volumes about everyone involved, namely the students. Something like this is only as good as its weakest link and as far as I can tell in the four years that I've been there, there are no weak links. This place truly epitomizes collaboration, hard work, courage, and teamwork.
I've never been around a more selfless group of people who are truly grateful to be a part of something bigger than themselves. I've been a part of nearly 50 different teams as either a coach or a player over the last 30 years and I have never been more proud or more honored to be a part of something than the last 4 years.
There are a lot of causes out there internationally, domestically, locally, and at home, but these girls deserve to have the best experience possible as my student-athletes.
These young ladies are a part of a charter school that are low income and first generation students. Meaning, they will be the first in their family to graduate from college.
They have had to overcome many obstacles in their respective lives, but they have a positive attitude everyday and never make any excuses about the hand that they've been dealt, ever.
They inspire me everyday and anything you can do to help make their experience better would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you again to everyone who contributed last year and we hope that we are able to surpass last year's fundraising total to give them everything that they deserve and more.
The great game of basketball has been very good to me and all I've tried to do is pay it forward and in some small way make everyone's life better that I've crossed paths with. Please know that 100% of all donations will go directly to the program in the form of supplies, equipment, scholarships, uniforms, and more.

Thank You All,
Coach Hootner