Athletic director honored for service

Laguna Beach High School Athletic Director Mike Churchill earned the Spirit of Laguna Beach Unified School District award at the staff’s welcome back breakfast in late August, according to a district news release.

Since its inception in 2008, the award has been presented to a district staff member who exemplifies extraordinary service to others.

“Mike has built a strong and vibrant athletics program that enables our students to develop leadership skills they will have for a lifetime,” Supt. Sherine Smith said in the release. “It also gives students the chance to meet personal challenges and learn the value of teamwork and camaraderie. Mike truly symbolizes the great and wonderful tradition of what it means to be a Laguna Beach Breaker.”

Churchill began his current post in 2007 and is responsible for making sure all CIF rules are followed, along with coordinating sports scheduling and transportation.

Churchill is a lifelong athlete who played football in both high school and college at Mt. San Antonio College and the University of La Verne, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and history. He earned his master’s in physical education administration from Northern Arizona University.

Churchill has coached football at 10 high schools, leading two teams to CIF championships, along with two junior colleges and one university, according to the release. He led Laguna Beach High to CIF semifinal games in both the 2011 and 2012 seasons.

Last year, 638 of 998 Laguna Beach High students participated in athletics.

—Bryce Alderton

Twitter: @AldertonBryce