Coach of the Year: ALEX VALADEZ, La Canada

Alex Valadez, the first year head baseball coach for the La Canada High Spartans has recently been awarded Coach of the year. Valadez got his first taste of success as a coach during his first assistant job at San Dimas High, where he was an assistant coach for seven years and part of the Saints’ CIF Southern Section Division V title run in 2009, before making the move to La Canada in 2010.For the past two seasons, Valdez

has been an assistant coach with the La Canada Spartans alongside 10-year La Canada head Coach Dennis Ballard, who recently resigned for personal reasons. The 30 year old Azusa Pacific University graduate says instilling an old school approach to the game while stressing a strong work ethic for his players as well as contributing his knowledge and prior experience as a player to the game has lead to his successes this coaching season.
“I have been there before and I know what they’re capable of doing and what they haven’t done before.” said Valadez.
Valdez wasted no time whipping his team into shape as the team, recovering from a disappointing season last year went on to achieve a 6-3 win over eventual Pacific League champion Crescenta Valley. With a win under their belt the Spartans later defeated Arroyo Knights, the Mission Valley League champions as well as the Monrovia Wildcats finishing on top of a tight league race. The Spartans continued on to win a playoff game as well.

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