Petaluman new SRJC athletic dean

Petaluma resident Matt Markovich is the new dean of the Kinesiology, Athletics and Dance Department for the Sonoma County Junior College District.

Markovich began his college career as an SRJC student-athlete in 1992, playing baseball under coach Ron Myers, the most recent KAD dean. Two years later, the Petaluma native transferred to Sonoma State University, where he continued to play baseball as a catcher, and earned his B.A. degree in kinesiology in 1996. In 1999, Markovich earned his M.A. degree in health, physical education, and recreation from St. Mary’s College.

After graduating, Markovich started work at what he believes to be the greatest job in the world - being a coach. He has helped improve baseball teams throughout the state, including at College of Marin (1996-99), his alma mater Sonoma State University (1999-2001), San Francisco State University (2001-06), and Division 1 San Jose State University (2006-07).

“What really got my wife and I out of coaching was moving back to Petaluma, wanting to be with our families, and raise our kids in the same environment that we were both raised in. I grew up here and it feels like home to me,” explained Markovich, who, with his wife, Cara, has three children.

After a successful coaching career, Markovich briefly taught classes at the College of Marin, then spent the next seven years serving as the athletic director.

“Coming to SRJC, I knew this was one of the premier athletic departments in the state, and I’ve found that to be true. I definitely want to keep that,” said Markovich.

He plans to grow the department by adding more student athletes to some of the smaller sports teams, and making sure the college’s kinesiology classes are reaching all corners, populations and ages in the county.

Markovich wants to set up a program that continually invites middle school-aged children on campus to participate, during halftime shows, in the college’s football and basketball games. By doing so, he hopes to start introducing more SRJC athletic programs to the future Bear Cubs of the county.

“We have so many positive things here, we just need to get them out to the community more,” said Markovich.

Recently, members of SRJC’s football team read to a second-grade classroom and played a variety of sports with them during recess. Following the recent Valley Fire, the college’s soccer team took 20 team members to Calistoga to help local residents affected by the fire.

During his time at College of Marin, Markovich implemented the student-athlete academic service program. The program incorporates academic services such as tutoring, study hall and grade checks, as well as a community-service obligation for student-athletes. Markovich also started the college’s student-athlete hall of fame. During the last four years, Markovich was also put in charge of student conduct and grievances for the district. Part of this responsibility was the implementation of the early alert and intervention program that is part of the student success initiative.

“One of the things I believe strongly in is the word ‘student-athlete.’ I really try to make kids understand that education is the most important thing. You have something to fall back on during the tough times. I’m a firm believer that every day in college makes you a better person,” said Markovich.

Markovich is currently working towards completing a doctoral degree in educational leadership.