Since the Santiago Canyon College (SCC) sports complex was built in 2006, Lisa Camarco has been a part of the SCC family. She led the softball team’s inaugural season in 2007 as the head coach. On top of coaching, she is also a department chair and kinesiology instructor.
Whether it’s in the classroom or on the field, Camarco said, “I hope my students gain a passion and an enthusiasm for whatever it is that they want to pursue.” While on the field, she and the rest of the coaching staff want to have the team become strong, independent, resourceful, and passionate women.
On a day to day basis, every time a current student, former student, or parent takes the time to reach out to her through a text message, phone call, or card to say that something she taught them stuck, she says those are the moments she loves the most. Recently, she had a former student call her after her university team had just won nationals because Camarco had made an impact on her life. “It’s about more than winning and losing,” said Camarco, “It’s about the impact that we as educators have on their lives.”
One moment that stands out in Camarco’s mind is the softball field dedication. She had spent two years working on the design with several other people. An amazing moment was when the softball team was able to play on the field for the first time. She saw the culmination of everyone’s hard work to create the new athletic field and it was so gratifying to see it finally done.
Since the SCC’s softball team’s first season in 2007, they have gone on to receive the Orange Empire Conference (OEC) Academic Team Championship Award in 2010, 2013, and 2016; became state champions in 2016 and OEC Champions in 2014. Camarco has received National Fastpitch Coach Association (NFCA) CalJC National Coaching Staff of the Year award in 2016; OEC Coach of the Year in 2011, 2013, and 2014; and OEC Female Coach of the Year in 2016.
After graduation from Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) with a bachelor of science in physical education, she went on interviews in the corporate world, but felt that teaching was a natural fit. She comes from a long line of teachers. Her grandmother and mother were teachers. Her father was a teacher and coach. Once she came to this realization, she went on to California University of Pennsylvania to receive a master of science in exercise science with a concentration in performance enhancement and injury prevention. From there, she had her first job as an assistant coach and adjunct instructor. Then, she came to SCC. She recently completed her doctorate in sports management from Northcentral University.
At PLNU, Camarco played softball for four years where she was named Academic All-American. While playing, her team won three consecutive conference championships, three regional championships, and appeared in four NAIA college world series.
When not teaching or coaching, Camarco loves to spend time with her family hiking and fishing. She also enjoys traveling with her family. Out of all of the places around the world she has been, she says Croatia and Thailand are her favorite places.
