Throughout the past school year, sports dynamics at San Domenico have changed significantly. Teams have been impacted by unexpected coach departures with athletes having to adjust quickly to new situations, along with other teams having new coaches or a structural overhaul. While some athletic programs are facing uncertainty and setbacks, others are looking toward new opportunities and growth. These changes have affected performance, team morale, and the overall student-athlete experience.
For one, the sailing team lost its only coach, Renee Corpuz-Lahne, which broke apart the team entirely. Zach Mar-Elia, a former sailor for the team, discussed his worry for their future.
“Without our coach, I don’t really know how the sailing team is going to practice or how well they’re going to do,” Mar-Elia said.
Mar-Elia added that “half the team eventually quit.”
Because Corpuz-Lahne’s departure was so abrupt, the team was left in a rough position, leading many members to leave. Mar-Elia emphasized that it wasn’t because sailing was boring, but because the team itself was falling apart, starting a domino effect that heavily diminished the program.
Another major coaching departure this school year was the recent leave of Rob Jessen, a longtime men’s and women’s tennis coach at San Domenico who had been with the program for over 14 years. In a farewell email to his athletes, Jessen wrote, “It is with a heavy heart that I share that I have resigned as Tennis Director at San Domenico, effective January 4, 2026.” He explained how much San Domenico meant to him.
“The bond we’ve shared on these courts is something I will carry with me forever,” Jessen said.
This departure came alongside the introduction of the Mouratoglou Club, which is now the main caretaker of the tennis courts at San Domenico. Athletic Director Mr. Churchill stated that the new club will help attract more tennis players and allow athletes to compete at a variety of different levels. “The transition in the partnership with Mouratoglou is going to be really positive,” Churchill said. However, he expressed his disappointment over losing Jessen.
“It happened a little sooner than we expected with the departure of our longtime coach Rob,” Churchill said.
Churchill discussed the search for a new head tennis coach before the men’s season begins.,
“There’s always a transition in sports, there’s always a change in leadership and a change in coaching, and we have to adjust to those different styles,” Churchill said.
He stressed the importance of the role, adding, “We’re always going to look for the absolute best coaches who are in it for the right reasons, and we’ll keep looking until we find those right coaches.” While losing a longtime coach is difficult, Churchill believes the changes could ultimately benefit the tennis program, and that finding the right replacement may take time but will be worth it in the long run.
Another significant coaching change is the arrival of Leroy Anderson, a basketball coach for the varsity women’s team. After the previous coach left unexpectedly, junior Ripley Toquinto-Tyson explains that it left “A salty taste in our mouth,” and many players were ready for a fresh start.
“Last year the seniors were the main focus,” Toquinto Tyson said, while other athletes were somewhat overlooked during practices.
Since Anderson took over, the team has seen major changes, in practice and in games. “ We practice in a completely different way now,” Toquinto-Tyson explained. “One positive is that he really prioritizes everybody in practice. He doesn’t just focus on a couple players, or just the seniors; he focuses on all of us.”
Games have felt different under Anderson’s coaching style. Toquinto-Tyson said, “He’s very animated when he coaches, especially with referees, so games are always interesting.” However, she noted that while his intensity is meant to help the team, it can sometimes be misunderstood.
“Coach Leroy has an intensity that not everybody knows how to navigate,” Toquinto-Tyson said. It can come off as aggressive if you don’t know how to interpret the way he talks and coaches.”
This school year brought unprecedented changes to San Domenico athletics, both beneficial and disappointing. In the end, these changes are expected to work out to be imperative for the teams.
“We’re not just thinking about our wins and losses, we’re thinking about what the experience of our athletes are going to get when they leave San Domenico,” Athletic Director Mark Churchill said.
