Amanda Waters-Nelson, Del Norte High School’s athletic director, has been appointed as the school’s interim head softball coach for the spring 2024 season.
Her appointment comes amid an investigation into the conduct of Poway Unified School District staff, students, s and the superintendent related to the school’s softball program.
“In light of the challenges we have faced over the last few months, our priority is to provide our students with a fresh beginning for the new season and a new culture of Del Norte High School softball,” said Principal Ty Eveleth in a statement.
“Coach Waters-Nelson has the experience, ion and desire to elevate an already successful program. Her strength in building team culture and attention to skill development will help further the growth of our student-athletes and keep us at the cutting edge of excellence.”
Waters-Nelson will be the third head softball coach in the school’s 14-year history, according to Eveleth.
Waters-Nelson said she plans to bring an elevated amount of work, structure and discipline, and model the program after a college softball team to the student-athletes’ desire to play at the next level.
“I have always been impressed with Del Norte softball — they have a rich history of producing successful college softball players,” she said in a statement. “After being on campus last year and observing the team, there is a lot of talent returning.”
The investigation by the Dannis Woliver Kelley law firm was approved by Poway Unified trustees in December following allegations that Superintendent Marian Kim Phelps harassed of the team after an end-of-season awards banquet in May.
In a November lawsuit, a softball player accused Phelps of pursuing a campaign of punishment and harassment against her and her teammates because they did not clap loudly enough for her daughter, softball player Jessica Phelps, at the banquet.
The superintendent, who last week was placed on paid istrative leave as the investigation proceeds, has denied the allegations. She also said that her daughter was being bullied by another Del Norte High student leading up to and after the event.
Alan Stockton, who has been head coach of the Del Norte High junior varsity softball team for 13 years, said last week that he and Del Norte acting varsity head softball coach Tom Peronto have not been asked to return.
The Del Norte softball program concluded the 2021-22 season with a 26-6-1 record and clinched the Palomar League with a 9-1 record and achieved a ranking of the top seed in the Open division of CIF San Diego Section. Last season, the team had a 16-7-1 record, finishing second in the Coastal League.
Several top statistical performers and five out of the six all-league student-athletes are returning this season, Eveleth said.
Waters-Nelson, who is from central Maine, brings over 20 years of coaching, athletic and educational experience to her new role, Eveleth said.
She coached softball at Carlsbad High School from 2014 to 2020. During the 2018-19 season, she led Carlsbad High to a 17-10-1 overall record, with an Avocado-West League record of 8-2.
“As the interim coach, I look forward to challenging the student-athletes to improve and return to their respective club teams as better softball players,” she said.
Assistant coaching positions are available and interested applicants can Waters-Nelson by email at [email protected].
