Starting the 2024-2025 school year, Granada has a new athletic director–Eileen Greenlee. Mrs. Greenlee is an alumnus of Granada High School from the class of 1995. After graduating from high school, she attended Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo and was a member and a judge of the horse show team. She has served many roles in her life, such as being an athlete, coach, teacher, and mom.
Before her position of being an athletic director, she was the vice president of the Livermore Education Association as well as a biology, algebra, and leadership teacher. She was previously California High School’s athletic director and Granada’s assistant athletic director. Despite all these jobs she enjoys being an athletic director the most.
“Being an athletic director is a natural progression. I also believe in the positive impact sports can have on the lives of students. This job requires a lot, but I love all that comes with it. And I hope to make the students, the coaches, the parents, and the community proud,” said Greenlee.
She is passionate about education and athletics as she states, “To me, athletics is more than just winning competitions; it’s about building character, fostering teamwork, and teaching valuable life lessons. Sports provides an opportunity for students to develop their confidence, their resilience, and their ability to work with coaches and peers.”
With her not only working at Granada but also being a previous student here, she loves the community and the atmosphere of Granada and has to credit her mentor Mr. Kevin Drake.
“Granada has always and will always be my home. Choosing a favorite memory is hard because there are so many great moments. But, the first one that comes to mind is my mentor, Mr. Kevin Drake. Mr. Drake was the Principal at Granada my senior year. When I decided to become a teacher, he guided me, encouraged me, and showed me what it means to be a great leader.”
Behind all the struggles of high school, she gives a very crucial piece of advice to all students. She believes that despite high school being a very small part of your life it is still a significant part of your life even as a grown adult.
“…if you live to 80 years old, you will spend two percent of your life in high school. That’s it. Yet, so much of our adult lives is about the friendships, the memories, and the experiences we have in high school. So make the two percent worth it. Be involved. Work hard. Be passionate. Take PRIDE. And believe in your abilities.”
Ironically, she has not always dreamt of being a teacher. Ms. Greenlee had her calling to become one in her early twenties.
“I was asked by a family friend to coach their 8-year-old daughter’s soccer team. I was not a teacher at the time and didn’t have aspirations of being a teacher. By the end of the soccer season, I had realized how much of an impact a coach can have on the lives of youth.”
While this is not her first time being an athletic director or a staff member at Granada, she’s ready for the journey this career has for her. She has plenty of goals she wants to accomplish for this school year.
“My goals for this school year are to promote sportsmanship, to strengthen the Granada-community connection through sports, and to enhance the student-athlete experience. I want our athletes, our fans, our parents, and our community to be proud of what we do at Granada.”
