George Sands has been named the new head baseball coach and athletic director for L.E.A.D. Academy in Pace, FL. He says he looks forward to growing the school’s athletic programs to full throttle, and building on the successes and facilities the school already has in place.
Sands comes to L.E.A.D. from Rocky Bayou Christian School in Niceville, where he was the assistant athletic director and baseball coach. In his second year, he led the team from 25 straight losses to the District semi-finals. During his tenure, he also renovated the baseball complex at the school.
Head of School H. Frank Lay said Sands has experience building programs and facilities, which is needed for the school’s baseball team and athletic programs. Sands built the St. Andrews baseball program from the ground up, winning 92 games in just over 6 years while building a new facility. He also served as Director of Baseball Operations at ELEV/8 Baseball Academy in Delray Beach, Florida.
Sands said baseball field renovation of the turf is underway, along with athletic offices and a conference room above the field house. When this is complete, the baseball facilities will be one of the best high school facilities in the panhandle of Florida, he said.
Sands’ philosophy of building a program is to find parents who believe in the mission of L.E.A.D. and who want their children to participate in sports in a Christian environment. “I am looking for L.E.A.D. lifers,” he said. “I believe in starting to develop our talent from fifth to eighth grade and encouraging students to play together for many years.
“Athletics is not just about sports, but developing young men and women with a Christ-like character,” Sands said. “We will teach our athletes how to succeed and how to fail, how to deal with adversity, and how to grow from it.”
Kace Browning, Upper School Administrator, said, "I believe developing our athletic program is an integral part of our goal to train the hearts, souls, and minds of our students. I am especially excited about Coach Sands commitment to develop athletic talent starting in the lower grades and culminating in the Upper School."
Lay said, “We are confident George has the character, experience, and the fully devoted mindset of servant leadership to take on these needed roles for our students and school.”
The school competes in the FHSAA 1A D1 Varsity Sports in cross country, volleyball, baseball, softball, basketball, and track and field.
L.E.A.D. Academy is a Classical Christian School whose mission is to provide families with a learning environment and support system that enables their student to grow spiritually, mentally, and physically into an adult with a Christian worldview.
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