HOME OF THE LIONS Lakeside Christian School Athletics
Roar as One. Compete with Courage. At Lakeside, our athletic programs build character, teamwork, and faith. Our competitive middle and high school programs for grades 6-12 and foundational elementary sports for grades K-5 help students grow physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Athletic Philosophy
The most important goal of the Lakeside Athletics program is to help student athletes develop a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. During practice and athletic competition, opportunities arise for the athletes to apply God’s Word and His principles to their lives. Dedicated Christian coaches help the athletes relate the victories, hard work, and defeats experienced on the playing field to their daily walk with Christ. Coaches encourage players to do their very best for God’s glory. Lakeside Athletics also uses discipline and physical training to develop important values in the athletes’ lives. The core values taught to participants include commitment, unity, responsibility, discipline, respect, and integrity.
Lakeside Christian School’s competitive middle school, JV, and varsity teams include cross country, basketball, baseball, football, volleyball, softball, track, soccer, and cheerleading. Our elementary sports program offers six different sports for students in kindergarten through 5th grade, with sports rotating each quarter. Students practice during their normal school day and then compete against other local Pinellas County private schools on Saturday mornings.
Membership: Lakeside holds athletic membership with the Florida High School Athletics Association (FHSAA) and the Sunshine State Athletic Conference (SSAC).
Lion Athletics Programs: Middle School, JV, and Varsity
Fall Sports and Coaches 2025
Volleyball
Varsity Volleyball: James Coffman
jcoffman@lakesidechristianschool.org
JV Volleyball: James Coffman
jcoffman@lakesidechristianschool.org
Middle Schoool Volleyball: James Coffman
jcoffman@lakesidechristianschool.org
Football
Varsity Head Coach: Dennis Vela
dvela@lakesidechristianschool.org
Varsity Assistant Coach: James Coffman
jcoffman@lakesidechristianschool.org
Middle School Football: Josh Norton
jnorton@lakesidechristianschool.org
Cross Country
Coach: Rick Sandman
rsandman@lakesidechristianschool.org
Cheerleading
Coach: Fawn Norton
Winter Sports and Coaches 2025-2026
Basketball
Varsity Boys Basketball: Mike Drummond
mdrummond@lakesidechristianschool.org
JV Boys Basketball: Nate Davis
ndavis@lakesidechristianschool.org
MS Boys Basketball: Rick Sandman
rsandman@lakesidechristianschool.org
Varsity Girls Basketball: Tom Eaton
teaton@lakesidechristianschool.org
MS Girls Basketball: Kim Guzman
Soccer
Varsity Boys Soccer: Bryan Hodae
bhodae@lakesidechristianschool.org
Varsity Girls Soccer: Kristin Hill
khill@lakesidechristianschool.org
Middle School (co-ed): Bryan Hodae
Spring Sports and Coaches 2026
Baseball
Varsity Baseball: Josh Norton
jnorton@lakesidechristianschool.org
Middle School Baseball: Nate Davis
ndavis@
Softball
Varsity Softball: James Coffman
jcoffman@lakesidechristianschool.org
Middle School Softball: Becky Schroeder
Track and Field
Lion Athletic Contacts and Forms
Athletic Handbook
The Athletic Handbook is available for viewing and printing.
2026 Lakeside Athletic Handbook
All athletes must have a sports physical before participating in any sport. The physical form must be filled out by a doctor, and the Consent/Release form must be filled out by a parent. Both forms must be turned in to the Athletic Director.
Sports Physical Form (E2) Link
Athletic Consent Form (E3) Link
*Note:
Home School Parents must pay their sport fee at the time of registration. Your student will not practice or play until the fee is paid at the school.
Athletic Program Contacts
Athletic Director: James Coffman
Phone: 727-461-3311 ext 307
Email: jcoffman@lakesidechristianschool.org
Assistant Athletic Director: Nate Davis
Lion Cub Sports for Grades K-5
Elementary Sports Registration Form
Current Lakeside families can register their child for our K-5 sports program.
Lakeside Elementary Athletics Program Details
We believe that introducing students to athletics early fosters physical development, teamwork, and confidence. Our elementary athletics program is designed for K-5 students to explore a variety of sports, build foundational skills, and prepare for middle and varsity sports in a supportive, Christ-centered environment. Because Lakeside is a K-12 private school, our youngest Lion athletes benefit from a seamless transition as they grow, building skills and confidence that prepare them to excel in middle school and varsity sports programs.
About Our K-5 Program
Practices are held during the week, and games take place on Saturday mornings at Northside Christian School. This schedule ensures a balanced approach to academics and athletics while giving students valuable experience playing against other private Christian schools in Pinellas County, Florida.
Sports Offered
We offer a variety of coed sports to keep our students active and engaged all year:
- Quarter 1: coed soccer (grades K-5)
- Quarter 2: coed baseball (K-2nd grade) | coed lacrosse (3rd-5th grade)
- Quarter 3: coed flag football (grades K-5) | girls volleyball (3rd-5th grade)
- Quarter 4: coed basketball (grades K-5)
Sponsor Lion Nation
LCS Athletics Sponsorship Banner Program
Promote Your Business
Our advertising banner sponsorship program offers a unique chance to reach the Clearwater community and support our student athletes from grades K-12. Your company’s banner will be prominently displayed on campus, visible during school and church events throughout the year. We’ll also feature your business on our three social media platforms, giving you even more exposure.
Cost:
- Initial Cost for One Year (2025-2026): $400.00
- Renewal Fee: $200.00 (using last year’s sign)
Your banner, sized 3 x 5 with colored text, company name, logo, and contact information, will be displayed on our campus for the entire school year.
Support Lakeside Lion Athletics
Your involvement in our advertising program is greatly appreciated and will help benefit all our sports teams including: football, volleyball, cheerleading, cross country, basketball, soccer, baseball, softball, track and field.
To purchase a banner or learn more, go here.
Lakeside Lion Fan Gear
Lion Athletics Sideline Store
Our Lakeside Lion Sideline Store gives fans, students, and parents exclusive access to top-selling, personalized, school spirit wear from iconic brands, like Nike, Under Armour, Carhartt, TravisMathew, lululemon and more.