Lane Hawkins didn’t get much of a summer vacation.
LANE HAWKINS has been busy as the new St. Patrick-St. Vincent High athletic director and varsity football head coach.
Hawkins, who was hired as St. Patrick-St. Vincent High School’s varsity football coach early this year, took on the added responsibility of the school’s athletic director in mid-July. With the fall sports season quickly approaching (football season begins this Saturday), Hawkins has barely had time to breathe.
“I’m still learning and figuring it out,” Hawkins said of his new role as athletic director. “It’s a huge learning curve. I’m sure I’ve made plenty of rookie mistakes, but I’m admitting my mistakes, learning from my mistakes and looking for help from everyone.”
Hawkins has already spent countless hours coordinating with athletic directors from other schools, working with SPSVs coaches and overseeing all of the school’s athletes and athletic events.
“It’s a massive job,” Hawkins admitted. “I want to work with our coaches to ensure that our athletic program is maintaining the vision and mission of St. Patrick-St. Vincent High School. I want a sustainable future and I want to be there to support the coaches on issues they need and helping them accomplish their goals.”
When long-time athletic director Tamra Smith stepped down over the summer, SPSV asked Hawkins if he’d be interested in taking on the job. Before this year, Hawkins had never been a varsity football head coach or an athletic director. By mid-summer, Hawkins suddenly found himself balancing both jobs – in addition to being a local pastor with a flock of around 200.
“The school asked if I’d be interested in doing both jobs,” Hawkins said. “I talked with my family and consulted with my church to make sure everyone was OK with it. I’ve increased my pastoral responsibilities from 200 to 650.”
Hawkins has already accomplished a lot in his short time as athletic director. Besides hiring new coaches for the SPSV cross country and girls golf teams, Hawkins arranged for the Vallejo Admirals youth football team to play its home games at Dante Magnani Field.
“We have a beautiful facility and I want to get the community involved in what we do,” Hawkins said. “I’m moving away from calling our sports ‘extra-curricular.’ Playing sports isn’t something extra like it’s not needed. We’re calling it ‘co-curricular’ and we’re trying to weave athletics into the fabric of the school. That’s what I’ve challenged myself to do.”
Hawkins has been a full-time pastor for 11 years and has a knack for “reaching” today’s youth. He’s SPSV’s fourth varsity football head coach in the past four years and will try to bring stability to the program.
“I think my skill set allows me to be flexible,” Hawkins said. “I do have a corporate background and I understand the corporate structure. And I have my pastoral background where I understand how to deal with people of varying degrees of maturity.”
Sharing is caring!
