Athletics
Heritage Academy-Gateway Heroes Athletics
Our #1 goal and focus is to build great athletes! Part of being a great athlete includes knowing what makes a good team and how to have a fun while developing character in youth through both academics and athletics. What makes us different and stand-above the rest when it comes to the Athletic experience? We are passionate about creating multi-sport athletes at our campus. By building great multi-sport athletes, we create great youth who have an inner-drive to become the best all-around person that they can be. Heritage Academy has a unique environment where ANY scholar who wants to participate and compete in a sport can. We make every possible effort to keep a NO CUT policy and there is a team for your athlete whether they are an all-star or a rookie! Heritage Academy employs the best coaches in the Valley. We invite you to come watch one of our games and meet our coaches and athletes to see what makes us stand above the rest.
10 CAA State Championships in the last 3.5 years! This is more than any other CAA school.
We have a new Grade Check & Academic-Eligibility Policy. Please click the link for details: Grade Check Policy 2.14.19
Important Read before you register your athlete!: Athletic Changes for 18-19 School Year
Athletic Packets (which includes a current sports physical), concussion certificate (for any new jr high, high school or new to the school in-general) and fees are due no later than Thursday, August 8th. This deadline is for the entire school year including 2nd semester only athletes.
4 Required Items for ALL athletes:
There are 4 required items to become eligible to compete as an Athlete at our campus for all athletic contests:
1-Heritage Academy has an academic eligibility requirement in order to compete. Here is the wording from our handbook: “Academic Eligibility to Compete: Scholar Athlete grades are checked on Mondays before 4th hour (or the first day of the school week) during the sports season. Players must be passing with 70% or above in each of their individual classes to participate in the athletic contest, or to practice after school, for that week. Eligibility, therefore, is determined on a week-to-week basis and is checked on Mondays but is valid for Tuesday through the following Monday.”
2-Athletic Packet 2018-2019 This packet includes a current sports physical by a medical professional. Sports physicals are good (per our league bylaws) for twelve calendar months. The sports physical cannot expire during the season they are participating in. Our recommendation is to get a physical during the summer and then it will be good for the entire upcoming school year. Once every part of the Athletic Packet is completed, please scan or take a picture of it (please no printed copies of the packet) and email it directly to: mgodfrey@heritageacademyaz.com
3-CAA Concussion Course Student Guide. Must be completed by every athlete for this 18-19 school year prior to any participation per our league bylaws. Please watch the training video and answer all questions (aprox 30 minutes). Please scan or take a picture of the certificate once it has been completed and email it to Coach Godfrey at: mgodfrey@heritageacademyaz.com. Junior High athletes will only have to take it once during junior high (either 7th or 8th grade year). High School athletes will only have to take it once during their 9-12th grade years. All new scholars to Heritage must take it regardless which grade they will be in. Here is a direct link to where they register to take the course: https://learn.barrowneuro.org/login/index.php. There is an enrollment key that is required for the training: It is CAA18! If your 12-year-old scholar athlete is having issues registering for a username/password on the link above, the following concussion training will be acceptable for this school year: https://nfhslearn.com/courses/61151/concussion-in-sports
Mark your Calendars! Schedule of Mandatory Parent-Athlete Meetings for the 2019-2020 School Year. Your scholar athlete will not be cleared to participate without attending these meetings. You only need to attend with your athlete during the sports season in which they are participating/competing in a sport. All Meetings will be held here at campus from 5:30-6:30pm.
Fall Sports Season: Wednesday, July 31st (This meeting is for: HS Flag Football, JH Flag Football, HS & JH Girls Volleyball, HS & JH Cross Country, HS Boys Soccer & HS & JH Swim Team)
Winter Sports Season: Wednesday, October 16th (This meeting is for: HS Boys Basketball, HS Girls Basketball, JH Boys Basketball & Wrestling
Spring Sports Season: Wednesday, January 29th (This meeting is for: HS Coed Soccer, JH Coed Soccer, JH Boys Baseball, HS & JH Boys Volleyball, JH Girls Basketball & HS & JH Track & Field)
Heritage Academy is excited about our baseball program, which will be going into its’ 4th season this year.
Currently, we offer a junior high baseball team which is becoming more competitive, and we offer opportunities for players who might need some skill development. The main requirement is a strong commitment to building excellence and team loyalty.
Meet the Coach:
JH Boys Baseball Head Coach-Field Ferkin fferkin@heritageacademyaz.com
Coach Ferkin is in his 3rd year as a head coach here at the Gateway campus. He has been the high school boys varsity basketball coach, jr high boys basketball coach and is now excited to be able to coach baseball.
Heritage has a number of boys and girls basketball teams for junior high, junior varsity and varsity levels. Heritage competes in the Charter Athletic Association (CAA). Come join the program!
Click on your Athlete’s team below to access their webpage on the CAA league website with schedules and roster:
18-19 Basketball Announcements:
If your athlete needs to complete the required paperwork still for this season, please visit our Athletics Homepage for the details.
Jr High BBall Team #3 warming up before a home game during the 16-17 season
Meet the Basketball Coaches:
High School Boys Varsity-David Leavitt dleavitt@heritageacademyaz.com
High School Girls Varsity-Beth Cowles bcowles@heritageacademyaz.com
Athletics have always played a huge role in her life, from being a player, spectator, coach, referee/ official and even as an occupation. She began her coaching career as a teenager, coaching softball and basketball. She has experience in coaching at the High School Varsity and Junior Varsity levels as well as at the Junior High School. Cowles coaches: volleyball, basketball, softball, swimming, track and field, soccer and even football. Her coaching career has spanned several decades and what really motivates her, is seeing improvement in players as well as their developing a passion for the sport. Her philosophy has always been dedication and hard work creates success not only on an athletic field but also in life.
A few great accomplishments include, Boys Jr. High Basketball State Champions “B” Division – Canyon Athletic Association. Heritage Academy. A Championship teams in Florence Unified District: Jr. High Girls Basketball, Softball and Soccer. Girls Jr High Basketball Division Champions and State runners –up EDUPRIZE school.
JH Boys Basketball Team #1-Coach Cyndie Ribelin cribelin@heritageacademyaz.com
Bachelor of Science in Education Northern Arizona University
We have a competitive cross country program which is quickly making a name for itself in the CAA. Come be a part of a championship experience!
Congratulations to the High School Boys Cross Country team for taking 1st place at both of their first 2 meets this season!
Congratulations to the Junior High Boys 2017 Cross Country Team for winning the CAA State Championship back-to-back years and to our High School Cross Country Boys for taking 2nd at State and the High School Girls for taking 4th! Great season for all of of our runners.
Boys XC Team are State Champs!
Visit this page to access a copy of this season’s Meet Schedule and Meet Results: CAA Cross Country Webpage
All-Around Pre-Season Conditioning and Training Camp:
This camp has been canceled due to lack of registrants. Please reach out directly to Coach Higgins to receive your pre-season workout plan for the remainder of the summer.
Scholar Athletes are allowed to participate in Cross Country as a 2nd sport during the same sports season. They should make every effort to attend and participate in at least half of the after-school practices. The athletic participation fee as a 2nd sport for the school year will apply in this case.
Meet the Coaches:
High School Head Coach: David Leavitt dleavitt@heritageacademyaz.com
Junior High Head Coach: Christie Higgins chiggins@heritageacademyaz.com
Coaching Philosophy: I strongly believe that hard work and dedication can triumph over natural
physical ability. Any athlete who commits to a goal and pursues it wholeheartedly can achieve
tremendous personal success. Similarly, teammates who commit to each other and hold themselves
accountable produce team victories. I am a firm believer in a positive learning environment, where
teammates encourage and support one another to achieve both athletic and academic success.
Coaching Experience: I worked as an assistant cross country coach at a previous school that won state
championships for both the boys and girls teams. In the first season at Heritage Academy, the boys’
team won the state championship.
Running Career: I have run distance races for over 15 years. I participated in 3 marathons, 22 half
marathons, 3 Ragnar Relays, and many adventure/obstacle races.
Flag Football State Championship Team 2016
Click on your Flag Football team below to access Team Roster, Game Schedule, Team Stats, Standings, etc:
New for Fall 2018! High School Flag Football. Register today.
Meet the Coaches:
High School Flag Football Coach: Marc Gartman
Participated in multiple high school sports team/individual
activities including; football; basketball; weight training & conditioning, wrestling.
My coaching approach & philosophy is as follows:
COACHING TEAM PRIORITIES/PHYLOSOPHY
1. SAFETY First ALWAYS!
2. Learning/Experiencing/Overcoming Challenges
3. FUN while playing & practicing
4. Competition.
5. Promote Strong Core Values
I strongly believe that Scholastics & Good Education are the most important focus throughout the
school year. Additionally, I believe participating in sports helps to build many key character values
and exercise is very healthy for the student. I began my affiliation with Heritage
Academy-Gateway helping to coach baseball last season for the 7 th & 8th graders.
Congrats to the following Heritage Kenpo students for earning their Black Belt: Daniel Gallacher, Kevin Rowse, Lisa Fischer, and Vince Santos! Well done!
Since 1995, Kenpo classes have been taught by Jon Duke. Mr. Duke was the first certified Advanced American Kenpo Concepts instructor in the State of Arizona.
Mr. Duke’s martial art certifications include:
- 1995 – International Martial Arts Instructor License issued by the Matsusokan Karate Association
- 2002 – Teaching Credential Advanced American Kenpo issued by Martial Science University
- 2002 – 4th Degree Black Belt – Advanced American Kenpo issued by Martial Science University
- 2003 – 5th Degree Black Belt – Hakutsuru Master Level issued by Sandoval Karate Kobudo Federation
Heritage has an outstanding co-ed soccer program for junior high, junior varsity and varsity levels. Come out and play!
JH Coed Soccer:
2016-State Runner-Up
2018-2nd Round of the Playoffs
Summer Soccer Camp:
Who: 7-12th graders for the 19-20 school year.
Dates: June 24-27 (Mon-Thurs)
Times: 6:00-7:30pm
Location: Heritage Academy-Gateway
Cost: $75 per participant
A Heritage of Success!
- 2016 – Junior High Soccer Team #1, State Runner-up, Charter Athletic Association (CAA)
- 2017 – Junior High Soccer Team #1, 2nd Round of the Playoffs
Varsity Head Coach for High School Boys & Coed Varsity Teams:
Varsity Coed Soccer Interim Head Coach for 2019 & JH Coed Head Coach-David Leavitt dleavitt@heritageacademyaz.com
You can register and pay for all camps here.
Registration for the 2019 Summer Sports Camps will open up in late March 2019. Start planning now to attend one or more of these camps this summer.
All-Around Pre-Season Conditioning and Training Camp:
Details coming soon for this summer!
Boys Basketball Camp:
Details coming soon for this summer!
Location: Heritage Academy-Gateway
Girls Basketball Camp:
Details coming soon for this summer!
Location: Heritage Academy-Gateway
Summer Swim Camp:
Who: 7th-12th graders for the 19-20 school year
Dates: July 10, 11, 15, 16 2019
Times: 10am-Noon each day
Location: EVO Swim School-South Gilbert.
Cost: $70 per participant
Girls Volleyball Camps:
Details coming soon for this summer!
Summer Soccer Camp:
Who: 7-12th graders for the 19-20 school year.
Dates: June 24-27 (Mon-Thurs)
Times: 6:00-7:30pm
Location: Heritage Academy-Gateway
Cost: $75 per participant
Come be a part of a winning tradition and culture! According to Health Fitness Revolution, Swimming is in the top 10 of healthiest sports, “Swimming is an absolutely awesome sport for your heart. It also is a low-stress activity. It keeps you at a healthy body weight, improves lung capacity, and builds muscles, all in addition to burning calories.”
Summer Swim Camp:
Who: 7th-12th graders for the 19-20 school year
Dates: July 10, 11, 15, 16 2019
Times: 10am-Noon each day
Location: EVO Swim School-South Gilbert.
Get a copy of this season’s Swim Meet Schedule, Meet Sheets and Meet Results here: CAA Swimming Webpage
Building a tradition of excellence in the pool:
2016 Junior High Boys-State Runner-Up
2017 High School Boys-State Runner-Up
2017 High School Girls-State Runner-Up
2018 Jr High Boys-State Champions
2018 Jr High Boys-Ram Invitational Champions
2018 Jr High Girls-3rd Place Finish
Other results from 2018 State Championships:
Action shots of our awesome swimmers during the Swim Series #2 Meet.
We do our swim practices at EVO Swim School-South Gilbert
We have 3 options for our scholar swimmers:
1-Swim Class Only-This option is for those who are wanting to get some practice and instruction in before they decide to compete with the swim team.
2-Swim Team Only-This option is for those who are actively on a local competitive swim team during the Fall swim season and don’t have room on their class schedule to fit the swim class into their schedule. Current or prior experience on a swim team is required.
3-Swim Class and Swim Team-This is the preferred and recommended option. This will give the swimmer an opportunity to work out with the other swim team members and is the best value for your money.
Meet the Coach
Gateway Head Coach: Matt Godfrey mgodfrey@heritageacademyaz.com
Coach Godfrey grew up participating on Swim Teams and still swims for exercise and as part of his daily training. He has worked as a Swim Instructor and a Swim Team Coach. He is passionate about the sport of Swimming and enjoys helping others to be the best swimmer that they can be. He understands the importance of teaching correct technique and form as Swimming is a “technical sport” which will help your swimmer become a better and faster swimmer.
Heritage Academy Gateway has 1 State Champion in Track and Field and our athletes are getting faster and better every year.
Great job to the High School Girls Track and Field team for placing 1st place at the Meet on Sat, Apr 20th.
Kate Sexauer (left) and Alyssa Carassco (right) pose together as they placed 1st at the CAA Meet on Sat, Apr 20, 2019.
Congratulations to Jewelana Anderson (Spring 2018) for being the State Champion in the 800 Meter Run with a time of 1:12:177!
Scholar Athletes are allowed to participate in Track and Field as a 2nd sport during the same sports season. They should make every effort to attend and participate in at least half of the after-school practices. If this is their 3rd or 4th sport for the school year, then there is no additional fee.
Head Coach: Jordan Weeks-High School & Jr High Track and Field Coach jordanweeks11@gmail.com
Heritage competes in the Charter Athletic Association for junior high, junior varsity and varsity girls volleyball. Can you jump, set or spike? Come out and play!
We are now offering both JH and HS Boys Volleyball which is played in the spring season.
Volleyball Program Director and Varsity Head Coach:
Heritage Academy 7-2017 to present
Higley High School 6-2014 to 9-2016
Chandler Prep Lady Titans 6-2012 to 6-2014
Named Coach of the Year by the AIA for the 2013 season.
Before that I worked as Assistant Coach and Guest Coach while donating my time to the Chandler Prep Volleyball Program.
Playing history:
I started playing volleyball in 1978 in a recreational league in my home town of Neenah, WI. As my skills developed, I learned the subtle nuances of each position. While attending college I formed and played on the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh Mens’ Club Volleyball Team as a Middle Blocker. My last season I was able to play Outside Hitter for one year before moving to MN. In MN I met a Div I setter for the University of MN Mens’ Volleyball Team and we formed a USA Volleyball team. We played in numerous tournaments throughout MN and surrounding areas in the A and BB levels. We played in Regional and National tournaments all over the Midwest.
Around this time I became a certified Regional Referee and Scorekeeper. I also worked with the North Country Region of USA Volleyball to host and conduct player and coach training all over the Midwest. In the fall of 2006 I was honored to be asked to join a fledgling group of girls from Chandler Prep and donate my time to work with them and help them develop their skills. After the first practice, I was hooked!! I have been honored to have been a full-time coach for over 350 girls over these past few years. I look forward to working with each of you!
Years coaching: 6
I am ULTRA-Competitive in every aspect of my life! “Never give up” is my motto! I am passionate about the sport and love coaching these young ladies. My real value as a coach is being able to relate and motivate these young ladies. My primary focus is impacting player performance through methods other than technical advice or drills. I also act as a liaison between the other coaches and these young players. I can sometimes offer perspectives to these players to help them understand why the coaches are saying/doing certain things and helping strengthen the coach-athlete bond. I am also good at bringing up the difficult topics and discussions about player/coach, player/player or even player/parent and helping facilitate communication between the parties involved.
I bring an energy and enthusiasm to each of the teams within ACE and I thoroughly enjoy developing friendships with these players. I coach ATTITUDE. I coach BEHAVIOR. I coach EFFORT. And I’m always here for you!
This class offers students an opportunity to improve their strength and basic athletic conditioning. We strongly recommend all of our Varsity High School athletes to do a minimum of 1 semester of weights each school year on B Days.
Students and teacher will work together to fit the individual’s needs and meet their goals. Classes are held at Desert Fitness Gym
We are excited that we will have a Weight Room in the new gymnasium building coming for the 19-20 school year.
