Thank you, Coach Lavorato! |
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Photos Courtesy of Gordon Kelly |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Winning Football Coach Lavorato Retires and Leaves Eternal Impact on TKA Community SUNNYVALE, Calif, January 11, 2022 TKA high school football coaching legend, Pete Lavorato, has decided to retire from coaching football after five impactful years. Words cannot describe the indelible mark that he has left on the lives of his players, coaches, and the greater TKA community.
After finishing his illustrious fourteen-year career at Sacred Heart Prep in Atherton, where his teams won five section championships in seven years, in 2017, Pete Lavorato became the fourth head varsity coach in TKA's history.
Instilling a sense of purpose, unity, selflessness, and his patented "fly-sweep" offense, Pete led the Knights to back-to-back CCS Championships in 2018-2019. The firsts in our program's fifteen-year history.
However, if you ask Coach Lavorato what his most significant accomplishments as a coach are, it wouldn't be his success on the field, but rather his privilege and honor to love his players for Jesus' sake. He never let an opportunity, whether after practice, a game, or team dinner, go by without reinforcing to his players who Jesus is and how much He loves them.
His love for coaching high school football is only transcended by his love and passion for Jesus. The positive impact he has had on his players and coaches will be for now and eternity. We are so very thankful and blessed for Coach Lav!
Regarding his time at TKA, Coach Lavorato has shared, "It is with mixed emotions that I am announcing my retirement from coaching football at the King's Academy. I will miss the relationships with faculty, parents, and students. However, I look forward to strengthening the relationship I have with Nancy. Thanks to The King's Academy for the love and encouragement I constantly received. I leave you with this last thought. Know how much our Lord and Savior loves you. Love, Pete" Coach Lavorato will be enjoying his retirement with his wife Nancy in their beautiful home on the island of Kauai. Coach Lavorato was honored by the Mercury News today. Read the article here: "Longtime Bay Area high school football coach Pete Lavorato retires, heads to Hawaiian sunset." |
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| Welcome Next Head Varsity Football Coach: Dante Perez We are excited to announce Dante Perez as our next Varsity Football Head Coach. Dante brings great energy, football knowledge, love for his players, and most importantly, commitment to Jesus to our program. We believe he is going to do great things for our young men, both on and off the field. - Joe Maemone, Executive Athletic Director Hello TKA Family, This is an amazing opportunity I have to serve our community. Not only to teach the sport I love as the varsity football coach, but to live out The Great Commission. It is all about discipleship for me, and I get to live out my message to tell the world about my Beloved and how He captured my heart through the world of sports. I have traveled to places I would never have gone, discovered long-lasting relationships, received a free college education, and encountered many lessons that prepared me for life today through the world of sports. So, with great passion and enthusiasm, I look forward to continuing the great work of those who have come before and serving at The King's Academy through the football program. With Fire, Coach Dante Perez |
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Dante Perez's Bio Dante Perez attended Valley Christian High School (2002-2006) in San Jose, California as a four-year varsity player. In his last two seasons as the quarterback, he earned a record of 24-2 won the first ever Open Division Championship both years. Named "Quarterback of the Year" for two years straight, he signed his letter of intent to San Jose State University. After his season at SJSU, Dante decided to transfer to Foothill Community College and explore other four-year options. Having a prolific two seasons at Foothill Junior College and also graduating early with honors, he successfully broke every quarterback school record. He led the team to two consecutive postseason Bowl wins. Finally, he chose to accept an offer from North Dakota State University to compete for his final two years of eligibility. There, he helped the school win the first-ever Division 1AA National Championship in the 2011-2012 football season. Upon graduating early once more, Dante earned his BS in Psychology. He then attended Northpoint Bible College in Massachusetts and studied abroad with the Center of Holy Lands Studies in Israel for the pursuit of his MS in Christian Education and Counseling. After just one year in the program, his passion called him back to the States and onto the playing field once more at the professional level. Aiming to take his game to the highest level, Dante took his opportunity to play in the Indoor and Arena Football League. After a three-year run at the professional level, he decided to answer the call from former 49er Offensive Coordinator Mike Johnson, to coach his son, Mike Johnson Junior, at The King's Academy. Under Dante's aid, Mike Johnson Junior became the nation's number 1 Dual-Threat Quarterback for the class of 2019 and signed to Penn State University. Dante is the founder of AOP (Art of Play). His program helps to enhance student-athlete performance by teaching the mastery of fundamental movement, foundational sports skills, mental performance, and healthy nutritional habits. Dante is happily married to his wife Cherina with their three children Sarai, Pennel, and Hadassah. Go Knights! The King's Academy, an independent, college preparatory school for grades 6-12, is a Christ-centered school that inspires academic excellence, servant leadership, and enduring relationships. The King's Academy is accredited by both the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). TKA is currently accepting applications for the 2022-2023 year. For more information about The King's Academy, please visit the website at www.tka.org. Press Contact: Kriss Hayward, Director of Marketing & Communications The King's Academy 562 N. Britton Avenue Sunnyvale, CA 94085-3841 P: (408) 481.9900 x4235 kriss.hayward@tka.org ## |
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The King's Academy is a Christ-centered school that inspires academic excellence,
servant leadership, and enduring relationships. |
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