Mesa Legend

Issue date: 8/25/08 Section: Sports

"It's easy to say that having strong school spirit is impossible at a commuter college like MCC, but I don't believe that to be true at all."- Jeff Fore, Athletic Director

The MCC Athletics Department is under new leadership this year with Jeff Fore stepping in as Athletic Director. Fore, who began his duties in June, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience as he steps into directing 16 teams in eleven sports.

It's been a busy summer for Fore as he is spending time getting to know each and every coach at MCC, and getting comfortable taking the reigns of a prestigious athletics program

"The main focus has been to fully evaluate the athletic program." he said. "It's an esteemed program with 18 national championships.

"MCC is and has been one of the most successful junior colleges in history, and right now we're a good program, but not a great program."

Prior to his position at MCC, Fore developed a new basketball program at Valley Vista High School in Surprise, AZ, and served as head basketball coach and chair of the science department. Fore began his career as an assistant basketball coach at Arkansas State University in 1988, then moved on to a head coaching position at Clark College in 1993.

Fore took his experience overseas to serve as general manager and head basketball coach of the Kuwait Sporting Club where he led the Kuwait team to two league titles and several international gold medals.

He then led his Kuwait National team to the quarter finals of the 2000 Olympic qualifying tournament before losing to Yao Ming and China.

Fore then left from Kuwait to return back home.

"When I came back from overseas, I wanted to try something else besides coaching," Fore said, "So I got into health club management."

A few years later, the coaching itch struck Fore once again.

He returned to coaching in 2005, serving as athletic director and head basketball coach at James Sandoval Prep, where his team won 19 straight games on their way to winning the Division II charter school state championship.

Fore is coming to MCC focusing solely on administrative duties as athletic director. "At some point as a coach," he said, "I think you consider quitting coaching and moving into an administration position.

Continued...

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