Examining the Impact of Good Sports Best of the West Football on Sunnyside High School and its Community

Sunnyside High School football players will be celebrating many things this week. This is because the Grizzlies are currently in the middle of a winning streak that spans five games and are aiming for their eighth win in a row Western League title Saturday against Rincon/University at Kino Sports Complex.

The team has also enjoyed a huge amount of support from the community. It’s a testament to the devotion coaches and administrators are towards their team members.

Coach Richard Sanchez

Coach Richard Sanchez has been on traveling a lot over his 30 years as football coach. His coaching experience spans the football team at high schools, as well as at the NCAA Division I and NAIA scale.

Sanchez A Sunnyside twice-champion Sunnyside football coach, used the bulldog model to help players of the Blue Devils win five consecutive state championships in wrestling. Sanchez helps students to making the most of their academic as well as athletic accomplishments.

Humberto Torres and Coach

The coach Humberto Torres was the driving driver behind the Sunnyside’s successes both on and off the field. He was the head coach for Desert View, Sunnyside and took home Sunnyside the AAA Southern Division Football Championship in addition to three AAA Arizona State Wrestling Championships.

His support and mentoring of students was invaluable, especially those who are English language learners. He developed a very effective program at DVHS specifically for the students who were English learners and ensured that they were given the same opportunities as others in the school.

Coach Fil Barrera

Sunnyside High School’s soccer team is on an up-and-coming run this year. Head coach Fil Barrera has taken the Grizzlies to a 4-0 start, and they look to continue that winning trend against Richland the following week.

The Grizzlies are also being benefitted by his presence this season. There have been injuries that have been constant for many players, however he’s managed to keep the Grizzlies up to date and at the top of the Big Nine Conference.

His community service includes a number of different roles. As a fund-raiser and as a member of the Tucson Clean & Beautiful Education Coordinating Committee Sunnyside Neighborhood Association.

Coach Taunya Garcia

Coaching Taunya Garcia has an impressive record that has been a model of excellence, both on as well on the fields. She has been awarded numerous accolades for her leadershipqualities, such as the Arizona High School Athletic Association’s Teacher Award. In her time at Sunnyside High School she was the recipient of four outstanding Educational Awards.

Valla Dalrymple is a dedicated volunteer who strives to build stronger families in the Sunnyside community, as well as in the surrounding. Being a part of the Sunnyside District Alumni Association’s board she’s created an endowment for the Tom Dalrymple Memorial Scholarship in her husband’s memory. She is also a advisor and mentor to Sunnyside High School’s Teen-Age Parent program.

Bob Jaramillo, Coach

Bob Jaramillo is a 14-year veteran in the Junta Directiva del Distrito Escolar Unificado de Sunnyside. He was recently appointed to the post as an instructor for Desert View High School’s Air Force Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps program. It’s a huge honor to help students in his local community and to help them succeed, he added.

Yolanda Corrales is the District’s Title I and Family Engagement Coordinator oversees various programs that assist students and families in achieving success. Her volunteer duties include overseeing the McKinney Vento Angel Tree program that helps homeless teens who do not have a family during Christmas. Her volunteer work includes the Back to School Wellness Fair as well as Sunnyside Meet Yourself, as along with an annual Thanksgiving dinner to families.

School Leader Conor Hynes

Conor Hynes, our School Director, has been here since the beginning. He is an extremely vocal advocate for KIPP. He’s excelled in the classroom and earned the honorary title of student body president. He’s not a slouch in playing field and was an integral part of the community in his spare time. Learning from an impressive group of educators is something that He will surely discuss for the years to be.

Buck Crouch

Buck Crouch is a former Sunnyside student who is a member of the community. He has served on the Sunnyside Governing Board since 2011 and currently serves as director of the Sunnyside Foundation. As an Sunnyside Literacy Council member and chairperson, he helps out with the Kino Rotary Club in South Tucson. He has a passion for continuing education and serves his community. He’s thrilled to have his opportunity to serve as a teacher at Sunnyside High School.