Coach's Corner
In spite of our small size and the diversity of student backgrounds, we are successful beyond expectations. Most of this is due to the coaches we have been able to attract. We are very fortunate to have some outstanding coaches on the staff plus some retired and/or interested ‘outsiders’ who give wholeheartedly of their time and efforts for the student/athletes. Some of these people coach more than one sport – and our students get exposure to extremely high-level coaching.
Basketball:
 PAUL ‘DOC’ THOMAS – is the director of athletics and basketball coach (both boys and girls). Doc’s basketball credentials are of the highest level. He coached university basketball for many years and gained many honors and distinctions including induction in several halls of fame such as the Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame, and the Ontario Basketball Hall of Fame. He coached Canada’s Olympic Team as well as Canada’s World University Games Team. His teams at ASCIS have won championships at the local level, and have their sights on OFSAA championships. DOC is ably assisted by two outstanding coaches
NEAL FOREMAN – after an outstanding playing career, took to coaching. He has coached high school basketball in British Columbia and, in the last few years, returned to Windsor and joined our program. He is one of the brightest and hardest working coaches in the game.
BUD LEONARD – has been a very successful coach in the high school ranks in the city for all of his teaching career. Now retired, Bud has brought his vast experience to ASCIS, As a lifetime high school coach, Bud has the ability to relate to the young athletes – he has seen it all and knows what they need.
Golf:
DAVE HEATH is the co-director of athletics and coaches the golf team. Dave is a nationally known athlete in various sports, particularly football and track where he was a champion shot putter. He has become an avid and accomplished golfer, and lends this interest to coaching the golf teams at ASCIS. He has produced some OFSAA level golfers.
Volleyball:
TOM McNORTON is the volleyball coach – both boys and girls. Tom, a lifetime educator at the elementary school level where was a principal, has a strong playing background. In addition, he is a ‘travel team’ coach – so his coaching credentials are of the highest level. Both programs, boys and girls are quickly approaching championship levels.
DAN DiDIMENICO assists Tom in both volleyball programs, boys and girls He is a dedicated young coach who has a wonderful coaching future. He loves coaching and loves the students, and they respond in kind.
Dan also assists with the girls soccer program.
Swimming:
JEN DONOVAN coaches both the girls and boys swimming. Jen had a wonderful swimming career, and has become a great teacher and coach. She coaches at various levels from beginning to masters and has been successful at all of them.
She is a dedicated young coach who has an exciting future ahead of her in this sport. She relates so very well with her team members, and ASCIS has sent some swimmers to SWOSSAA and OFSAA. Jen also coaches Track & Field
Cross Country:
 ADAM MILLS carries a full teaching load at ASCIS, and still finds time to coach. He volunteers for whatever opening is needed to be filled. He has taken over the Cross Country program and it is growing rapidly. Adam also coaches boys soccer.
Tennis:
 STEVE PUNGA also carries a full teaching load at ASCIS and still coaches in various programs, wherever there is need, and championships follow him whatever the sport. He took over the tennis programs (both boys and girls) and has developed OFSAA level performers as well as teams that have finished near the tops in WECSSAA. He is ably assisted by Jim Zeron
 JAMES ZERON was our former tennis coach who stepped down because of other commitments, but comes back to help Steve as often as his schedule allows. Jim was a nationally ranked player in his earlier years, and still plays in Super Senior tournaments in United States and Canada. He has a gigantic wealth of knowledge that he imparts to the young student/athletes. His familiarity with the world of tennis affords our student/athletes a chance to see tennis in its totality.
Track & Field:
JEN DONOVAN – as mentioned above, Jen is one of several of our coaches who looks to see where she can get involved – and she is an ‘outsider’ meaning that she isn’t a staff member of the school and still gets so involved. Our student/athletes are so lucky to have her. She does the early morning and late evening sessions with the swimmers, and takes the track and field athletes wherever necessary to get proper training
Soccer (Girls):
CHERYL PRODAN – is another full time teacher who gives of herself, and she is another who jumps in wherever needed. She has coached volleyball in past years, but her main love is soccer where she has been extremely successful at various levels over the years. She coaches travel team as well as our team.
Our girls have had to play a level above – Double A – because of lack of competition at the Single A level – and they are making their mark.
Cheryl is assisted by DAN DiDIMENICO, as mentioned above. So here are two examples of the versatility of our coaches, as well as their drive.
Soccer (Boys):
GUNTHER WOLF is joining our soccer coaching staff this year, and he brings with him an outstanding reputation as an educator (he was a high school principal) and a football coach – he was awarded the top honor last year by the soccer community for his past efforts. We are so fortunate that he has agreed to ‘come out of retirement’ to coach our team.
GUNTHER will be joining STEVE PUNGA and ADAM MILLS who have had great success in past years including SWOSSAA participation. As mentioned, Steve and Adam are two more examples of the dedication of our coaches. It is obvious that we have a powerful soccer set-up.
Badminton:
DOC THOMAS, taking a page out of the multiple coaching book by Steve Punga, Adam Mills, Cheryl Prodan, Dan DiDimenico, and Jen Donovan, will coach the badminton team this year. Doc has had a strong background in badminton in California while coaching basketball there, and expects to develop a strong badminton team right away. In the past our badminton team has been very successful having won at the city, the WECSSAA, the SWOSSAA, and the OFSAA championships, and it should quickly get back to that level.
So that is the coaching staff that our students learn from and enjoy. It is, undoubtedly, the equal of any high school staff anywhere.
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