The three former MC Athletic Directors. L to R: Paul Dunham, Jim Moore, John Keever
- Howard Davis, Athletic Director
Moorpark College has a proud history of highly successful athletic programs and equaled by student athlete academic success since 1967. Twelve California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) State Championships and 17 Postseason Bowl appearances highlight the athletic excellence.
Those State Championships are: Wrestling 2000, 1999, 1997, 1991, 1990, Men’s Volleyball 2010 and 2005, Men’s Track and Field 2003, Men’s Cross Country 1996 and 1997, Women’s Soccer 1991, Men’s Golf 1981.
Academic highlights include: two California Pepsi Scholar Athlete of the Year Awards–2007 Mary Hanley and 2000 Cherisse Meichtry (now Sherman).
Athletic Directors in Moorpark College History:
1967-1973 Jim Moore (Athletic Director/Dean)
1973-1993 Paul Dunham (Athletic Director/Dean)
1993-2006 John Keever (Athletic Director)
2006-Present Howard Davis (Athletic Director)
Dunham (1996) and Keever (2008) both have been inducted into the California Community College Athletic Directors Association Hall of Fame. Keever was named the 2006 California Community College Athletic Director of the Year.
Howard Davis became the fourth Athletic Director in Moorpark College history in 2006. He follows a short list of men that built and maintained Raider Athletics as a model community college athletic program that has, throughout its history, achieved athletic and academic excellence.
In his first year, Davis instituted a Male and Female Student Athlete Character Champion Award to recognize student athletes that most exhibit the high character traits of the two award namesakes. The Male award was named in honor of former Athletic Director John Keever. The Female award was named in honor of long-time department Administrative Assistant, Diane Costabile. The award winners are nominated and selected by the entire coaching and support staff. Shortly thereafter, Davis spearheaded the campaign to revamp and modernize the brand identity for MC Athletics. With input solicited from the coaching staff, MC hired the New York firm of Phoenix Design Works, the nation’s leading firm in brand and logo creation for professional and collegiate teams, conferences and events. Phoenix presented MC a primary mark, numerous secondary marks and word logos, complete with the Pantone Color numbers. These brand identities are registered and trademarked and are not to be used without MC Athletic Department permission.
Since those logos were created, presented and accepted, Davis has worked diligently to institute the new marks and ban all other logs or marks of Moorpark College Athletics. This effort includes a revamping of the interior of the Gymnasium, using those marks and colors extensively. This effort continues on all athletic facilities, including Griffin Stadium, baseball, softball and soccer fields.
Davis also began a “Captain’s Council,” a committee of representative student athletes from each sport to communicate with the athletic department and lend the student athlete’s voice to department policies. This council conducts monthly lunch meeting to discuss current and future issues. Various campus support services are invited to give presentations on their office’s services to students. The captains then relay this information to their teammates. In 2009, the Captain’s Council took over the planning and execution of the Annual Scholar Athlete Recognition Celebration Ceremony.
In an effort to connect with past MC coaches and student athletes, Davis has hosted an event for the first MC Football and Basketball teams, as well as the “First Coaches”.” On the new Athletic website a button was placed to solicit former Raiders to re-connect with the Athletic Department.
He was also instrumental in the design of the new PE/Athletic Department Annex, a complex which includes a student athlete study/tutor area with several computers, a faculty work room and several faculty offices. This building has marked a significant upgrade in the environment for student athletes, coaches and support staff.
Davis serves on the CCCAA Management Council and has since 2006 (3 years as Men’s Golf Rep, and in now as Men’s Basketball Rep). He served as chair of the Bylaw 2.12 Subcommittee and a member of the Bylaw 2 Subcommittee. Davis is also on the Academic and Athletic Standards Review Committee, a standing committee of the CCCAA Board of Directors. He is the Chair of the Social Media Subcommittee.
“After I was named Athletic Director, Coach Keever stressed to me the importance of upholding the Moorpark tradition of service in leadership positions at the state and conference levels,” said Davis. “I am lucky to follow him in the job, and to have him as a constant mentor. Very few community college ADs are as fortunate.”
At the conference level, Davis served as the President of the Western State Conference. He will serve on the Executive Board for three years. Davis is a member of the WSC Program Review team and the WSC Scholar Team and Athlete Committee. He served on the WSC Commissioner search and selection committee in 2009. Davis has conducted the CCCAA Compliance Training for another WSC college.
At Moorpark College, Davis serves on the Academic Senate, Fiscal Affairs, Facilities and Co-Curricular Committees. He has served on various hiring committees as well, including Deans, Counselors and Classified positions.
Prior to becoming Moorpark College AD, Davis served in the same position at Pacifica HS in Oxnard. He was named AD a year before the actual opening of the school. He was responsible for purchasing every piece of athletic equipment, and hiring the entire coaching staff. He held that position for seven years. He was also Head Basketball Coach during that time. Prior to Pacifica’s opening, Davis was Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach at Moorpark College, when the Raiders twice advanced to the State Final Four.
Davis earned a BA from the University of Redlands, and an MA from Claremont Graduate University. Davis has been married to Christina since 1987. They live in Oxnard with their three daughters, Suzannah, Annabel and Mariah.