GILROY—There’s a new, but familiar face leading the Christopher Athletic Department this year.
In July, the Gilroy Unified School District named Courtney Grimm the new Athletic Director of the Cougars. Grimm has already settled into her office, adding personal decor and a welcoming smile as she sits behind her new desk. It’s a smooth transition for her as she’s ingrained herself in the Christopher community having taught physical education at the school for the past two years.
“It’s been extremely exciting,” Grimm said. “I just feel really thankful to have this position and to serve our students and our Christopher community in this way. It’s really exciting to just see this different side of how the school runs and to get to be a part of it.”
Sports have always been a big part of Grimm’s life, having played volleyball throughout high school and softball at the prep and collegiate levels at California Baptist University in Riverside.
Grimm has taken over for Darren Yafai, who was the AD for the Cougars since its inception in 2009. Yafai said he made the decision to step down as AD in February, but will remain at Christopher—just in a different capacity.
“It was a pleasure helping to start the school from the ground up,” Yafai said via email. “I felt it was time to return to two things I am most passionate about: teaching history full-time and coaching football. I am staying at CHS as I wouldn’t want to work for any other high school; Christopher is an awesome place to work and learn.”
Yafai has been on hand to help Grimm navigate the unfamiliar territories such as making season schedules and referee arrangements. The Kerman-native also credits her administrative team for being on hand to answer questions and provide support.
While the transition has been pretty smooth, Grimm said there has still been some growing pains.
“There’s lots of things to do and that’s OK,” she said. “I’m just making sure I keep my eye on the clock and not let myself get distracted with one thing or another. I’m making sure that everything gets handled in a timely matter and that I don’t forget anything. Once school starts, it’ll be an interesting transition not being around students all day long and that’s what I’m going to miss the most.”
In addition to her new duties, Grimm said she’s also anticipating the opening of Christopher’s Sports Complex—which is tentatively for 7:30 p.m. Sept. 5 when the Cougars varsity football team hosts Sobrato. While the details are still being worked out, Grimm said fans can expect lots of festivities to celebrate the school’s newest addition.
“Everyone before me—in many different positions—has done a lot of work to get it up and running and I’m really thankful for that,” she said. “I feel really privileged to step in now and a lot of the hard work has already been done. But to still get to be a part of it and the opening of everything just makes it an exciting year in general for this school. To get be a part of it in this way and so closely tied to the Sports Complex is really exciting.”
Grimm is currently pursuing her Administrative Services Credential through Cal State Easy Bay and said it’s a professional goal to hold an administrative or school leadership role in the future. While the AD position isn’t an administrative position, it is an opportunity for her to learn the more administrative-type duties at the school.
It was just four short years ago that Grimm landed her first teaching job at Everett Alvarez in Salinas. After three years, she said she’s surprised, but thankful, that she’ll be serving as the Cougars’ AD.
“If you would’ve asked me at the beginning of my teaching career a few years ago if I would’ve thought this opportunity would’ve happened so fast, I would’ve said ‘I have no idea’,” Grimm said. “Now that it’s here, I’m just really thankful. It’s such a cool opportunity and hopefully I do a good job.
“There are big shoes to fill, but I’m just thankful for what he (Yafai) has created so far. It’s nice to just step into such a positive situation.”
