CdM Coach Chaney receives PTA honor

Corona del Mar High girls’ water polo coach Aaron Chaney was honored by the Corona del Mar High and Middle School Parent-Teacher Assn. in a ceremony held Wednesday at CdM.

Chaney, along with six other teachers and parents, was the recipient of the Honorary Service Award, which is the highest honor the PTA bestows.

Chaney said many of his water polo players and their parents were in attendance.

“It’s nice to be honored like that,” Chaney said. “I wouldn’t be able to do the job here if I didn’t have girls who were really talented, and parents and an administration that were very supportive.”

Corona del Mar PTA President Janice Newfield said there was a nomination process, and a committee met to review the nominations.

Chaney, who teaches sixth-grade math at Harbor Day School in Corona del Mar, has been coach of the CdM High girls’ water polo team for seven years. In that time, he led the Sea Kings to five consecutive CIF Southern Section division titles through 2006.

The Sea Kings made it to the CIF Division I semifinals in 2007, and the Division I championship match in February.

Chaney was the CIF Southern Section Division IV Coach of the Year in 2002, and the Division II Coach of the Year in 2003 and 2004.

He holds a bachelor’s degree from UC Santa Barbara in business economics and a master’s from UCLA in educational psychology.

“It’s an award the PTA bestows on people who specially enhance and benefit our children’s lives,” Newfield said. “[Chaney] has great dedication to the girls’ team. He looks to get the girls not just physically prepared, but mentally prepared. It just seems he brings his heart and soul. He’s a great role model. He’s a person of integrity.”

Before working at CdM, Chaney coached water polo and taught math for 19 years at the Iolani School in Hawaii.

He is also a high-level water polo referee, and has worked the FINA World Championships and the World Cup. Chaney also refereed water polo at the 2004 Athens Olympics, and has been chosen to referee this summer’s Olympics in Beijing, China as well.

Chaney’s wife, Hermie, teaches advanced-placement U.S. history at Sage Hill School.

“He’s got that something,” Newfield said. “We’re fortunate to have him involved with the girls.”

— Matt Szabo