Elaine Parker, former principal at Ann Soldo Elementary for the past decade, made the switch during the summer from running an entire school to becoming the next director of athletics for another.
Watsonville High named Parker, who is entering her 35th year with Pajaro Valley Unified School District, the school’s new athletic director just in time for the 2025-26 school year. She will replace Becky Clark after she spent just one year at the helm following a decision by the school district not to bring her back.
“The opportunity came my way, and I feel really welcomed and wanted by this community,” Parker said. “I believe it happened for a reason. I have strength in working with people and love students and families. I know how to run a school, and I was encouraged to apply for the position. And it came to be.”
The 57-year-old Sunnyvale native didn’t play sports while growing up but she watched plenty of San Francisco 49ers and Giants games with her family. Then several years later her sons, Jake and Colin, both competed for Watsonville High before graduating in 2020 and ‘22, respectively.
“I didn’t have my own personal sports experience as an athlete, but I have a ton of experience from different roles,” Parker said. “Being a mother, a fan, and I helped kind of reboot the booster club here.”
Parker held her first all-coaches meeting Wednesday evening where they did some team building exercises, along with a large distribution of information on logistics and other duties.
“It was a big meeting for me, and I felt very well received by the coaches,” she said. “I want to continue to advocate for them and their role, as well as, of course, our athletes.”
Watsonville High Principal Joe Gregorio said Parker has an administrative understanding of systems, and skill set of working with people.
“One of the biggest things that’s important is that we are a community here at Watsonville High,” he said. “Those connections to people, being able to work with others, that’s really one of the biggest assets here, and she can do, she’s awesome at that.”
Gregorio said ultimately they are in the student business, and they want kids to have every opportunity and resource available so they can do well in both academics and athletics.
“You have those innate skill sets, and she has those skill sets,” Gregorio said. “And those are important because the other stuff, we’ve always supported. We’ve always supported anybody that’s here.”
Parker mentioned she’s passionate about family engagement, and hopes the local community can jump on board to begin supporting athletics and coaches, alike. One idea that came to mind is having local business owners adopt a program, and begin to build that.
Parker added she has an existing positive and successful relationship with many PVUSD entities, including facilities and maintenance and human resources.
“All those things just add to my tool belt that I’ve acquired over the years,” Parker said.
Another objective is to increase the fan base, especially because there’s so much history in the school’s 100-year-plus existence.
“[Coaches], they really don’t get a high salary,” Parker said. “They do this because they love it and they’re dedicated to the students. So how can we continue to support their role and their importance?”
It wasn’t too long ago when Parker had a pair of high school students of her own, yet she can’t help to think it’ll still be an entire new age group for her and the rest of the coaches.
“I’m really looking forward to getting to know them and their successes, and working with our community,” Parker said. “It’s a really exciting time for athletics at Watsonville High, and I’m excited to be a part of it.”
Qualifications? Wow PVUSD/WHS, this is really sad. I hope she doesn’t run into the issues that Becky Clark did. Becky was a qualified director, an athlete and an alumni of WHS. Her experience and adherence to the rules didn’t seem to work in her favor at WHS. Preserving integrity in High School sports is a huge part of the value of good sportsmanship that should be the focus of high school physical education. Winning isn’t everything. Very unfortunate for WHS student athletes and very difficult to understand why this seems like a good idea. While I certainly wish her well, as the parent of former athletes that attended WHS I just don’t understand what the goal is here.
Congratultions to Elaine. I have known and worked with Elaine in many contexts for decades. She is a can do person and brings enthusiasm to what she does. Our schools need community involvement more than ever, she lives and works here and will excel in this area. All my best to her and the athletic programs in this coming year.
I wish Elaine all the luck in the world because she is going to need it. For those who see this may know my name as I am involved with PVGS, a Sports official for NCAA woman’s and men’s Volleyball, Women’s Softball NFHS (High School) Girls Softball, and Girls and Boys Volleyball. I used to run the City of Watsonville’s Adult Sports Programs, assisted with it Youth Sports programs Ran Basketball Clinics for “itty bitty’s” (for youth 4-8 years as well as Youth soccer Camps, and Softball Camps and clinics. I officiate Middle School sports in Santa Cruz, San Benito, Santa Clara and Monterey Counties working Middle School and elementary school Soccer, Basketball. Volleyball, Softball and Flag Football. Working with Both Public and Private, Christian and Catholic schools.
Born and Raised in Watsonville I ran Track, played Football and Basketball while there I got to watch/play as WHS returned to the CCS playoffs for the first time in 30 years, win League Titles and CCS Titles in Boys Soccer, Cross Country, and return to CCS Playoffs for Both Boys and Girls. Hoops. Coaching I got to draft and teach a group of 5-6 year olds how to play a game as a team. It continues all summer and thru their entire careers as other friends and came in helps and took over eventually watching the group girls earn scholarships to play at the College Level.
Thats one thing Watsonville needs to improve on. For over 40 years Watsonville high has turned out these amazing athletes especially in soccer yet sadly hardly any went to college on scholarships. Runningbacks breaking 1,000 yards two on one team. No offers. Not until all these kids went to Cabrillo or Hartnell did they get a sniff at a 4 year college. Myself included.
That has to change.
The Facilities, have to change.
Getting new bleachers were in the mix for a long time and it finally happened. Let’s try to keep that place clean!
We have a possible Olympian about to be on campus who made world headlines over a mistake. One she and many others learned from.
Many, Many colleges and ‘Sponsors’ will come and see her run… Will WHS take advantage of that? Let the student body of over 2000 know if they can run, throw and or jump in some cases all three… They might just be ‘seen’ while these Recruiters and other coaches come to see our now speedster. She also needs support as a new student as well as all our new students. They have to stay eligible. Not just the starters, all of them.
And parents… Have to pitch in too!
When I go officiate at other schools they have Army’s of volunteers.
Parents of your gonna be at a game anyway, ask what you can do.
Coaches create sign up sheets for their kids to get parents to help.
The kids, are they still required to do community service… Well I see a lot of youth programs that need help. Imagine knocking out the “Required Hours to Graduate” while helping run a camp or tournament or game around a sport you love.
Yeah these are some “hits” to aim for.
I really hope I get to meet THIS athletic Director because never met the one from last season. Worked a couple of “Senior Nights” nothing. Umpired WHS final game of the season up in Las Gatos. Met the AD from the other school they played, not WHS (although Gregorio and other Admin and former Admin were there.
And Brad Hubbard who was the AD for many, many years… Who was supposed to be retired is STILL helping run things. I work with him every spring when WHS host many tournaments. He is always there. But does He “HAVE” to be? Let HIM be there because he “Wants” to be.
And please let’s get away from “Hiring Friends” with No Experience look for the Best Available Local FIRST. Because THEY know the Community they Likely Grew up here or a few miles away (Aptos, Aromas, Pajaro) because of you get the word out to the right places and even talk to the kids even the young adults and older adults who are always around programs or coaching programs they can also let ya know Who is a Great Coach and Knows the Game and is also a Great Mentor and asks the kids about more then how hard they throw, how fast they can run or kick a ball.
This IS a Great Opportunity.
Although kinda makes me think…
When you go to start a new job, isn’t there usually someone there to train you? Always wondered how in the heck does one do training to be an AD.
Aside from reading the job description and what the school district sending them away to some training that has nothing to do with the Farming Community that Watsonville is?
Everyone deserves a chance well everyone that has a Degree that is.
SMH. A piece of Paper simply keeping some very qualified people away.
Guess they don’t count “life skills and experience” as part of the job description. I’m just glad many other companies are seeing the light and taking that road or A Degree “OR” “Qualifying Experience.”
Good Luck Elaine.
If you would like to Chat, Brad Hubbard knows my number as does Joe Gregorio.
Oh, It’s also in ‘ARBITER’… That’s Something you will have to learn real fast…IF ya have not already.
Hint: it’s where you can find officials for many of your games.
Let’s Go Wildcatz.
Congrats , you made this post all about you.