“You are capable of more than you think you are, than you think you can do,” – Coach Nicolas Sale. 

On September 17, New Athletics Director Coach Alice Lee announced Coach Nicolas Sale, also known as Coach Nick, would depart from Westridge on September 19.

Joining Westridge in April of 2022, Coach Nick has been the Westridge Athletics Coordinator for the past three and a half years, and he has also coached the Flag Football team for 2 years. 

When Coach Nick first joined Westridge, he admitted he “didn’t know what to expect,” having never worked at an all-girls school before. Previously, he had worked in public co-ed schools, including San Marino High School, and even an all-boys private school. Still, the chance to return to working in athletic administration after a break drew him in. He said, “Fortunately, at the time that I was trying to get back, there was a position at Westridge [and] I was very interested… I got an interview, and the rest is history.”

Growing up as a student athlete himself, Coach Nick has experience playing football, basketball, and volleyball, with football as his main sport. That passion carried over to his work at Westridge, especially as a coach. Among his favorite memories was leading the Middle School Flag Football team to an undefeated season and winning the first Independent Middle School League title in school history during the 2024 spring semester. “I was very fortunate to have a great eighth grade class who really bought into what I wanted the team culture to be,” he said. “I believe they had a strong influence on our seventh graders, and I hope they carry the torch moving forward.”

His legacy, however, extends beyond trophies. Coach Nick often reminded his athletes that “the times of adversity really show you, you know, what you’re capable of.” He hoped that by sharing his own personal experiences and hardship, especially noticing the gender inequalities in athletics, he could empower female athletes and teach resilience.

According to freshman Mina J., “Nick has really taught me, both on and off the field [to] try your hardest and everything and to put your all into it. And he’s really just… such an inspiration for both me and I know a lot of athletes around the school.”

Coach Nick expressed that he will miss the students the most. “I’m going to miss the interactions, getting to know our students on a personal level. And, you know, getting to know who they are, who they want to be,” he said.

“I remember one game when I was having a really off day, and he pulled me aside to remind me why I was there. He always knew exactly what to say to bring me back to center, and that kind of support really stuck with me,” shared Junior Abby W. “He brought out a love for flag football in me that I didn’t even know I had. He saw potential in me before I saw it in myself, and that made me want to be a better athlete and a better version of myself.”

Moving forward, Coach Nick hinted that “high school athletics has not seen the last of me.” He hopes to run another high school athletics department in the future and continue building programs that help young athletes grow.

Though Westridge may not see him on the sidelines anymore, working at an all-girls school gave him a new perspective towards female sports. “I love the fact that I get to dedicate all of my time and all of our resources to girls athletics,” he said. “I have two little boys, my partner and I always wanted a daughter, we never got one. So I’ve always viewed this place as my family, and all of you are daughters to me.”