Professional Profile: Coach George Payan

[George Payan]

Professional Profile: George Payan
A highly accomplished educator and coach with over five decades of experience in athletics and physical education. Dedicated to instilling a "Championship Lifestyle" in athletes and coaches by emphasizing effort, desire, and the belief that there are no limits to improvement.

Education & Credentials
Bachelor of Science, Physical Education (Kinesiology): 1972, Fullerton State University, The State of California

Credential: Standard Teaching Credential, 1972

Master of Education: 1985, Azusa Pacific University, The State of California

Credential: Adapted Physical Education Specialist Credential, 1987

Instructor Credential: 1989, The California Community Colleges

USA Track & Field Certified: Level II Track and Field Coach (Endurance, Sprints, Hurdles).

Teaching and Coaching Experience
Current Role: Assistant Track Coach (Hurdles, Sprint Relays, 800m event advisor), Granite High School, San Bernardino County, California. I also coach sprinters during the off-season/summer.

Career: Over 50 years of combined teaching and coaching experience since 1972.

Head Coach: Served as head coach for both male and female Cross Country and Track & Field teams in the Santa Ana Unified School District.

Instructor: Retired teacher and retired instructor from National University, in the State of California.

Scope: Coached high school, college, university, and club athletes.

Athletic Success: Coached athletes who have won numerous league, county, and regional championships, with competitors reaching the California State Championship Meets and National Championship meets in both Cross Country and Track & Field.

Athletic and Professional Highlights
Collegiate Competition (Fullerton State University):

Competed on an athletic scholarship for Cross Country, contributing to an NCAA Runner-up finish and the NCAA National Championships team.

Competed in Track in the 880 yards, mile, 3–mile, and mile relay. Qualified for the NCAA Nationals in the 880 yards.

Continued competing after college for the Southern California Striders.

Major Event Involvement:

Volunteered at the 1984 Olympic Games Track & Field events at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Served as an Instructor for the Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games / CIF Southern Section Cross Country Clinics.

Leadership & Officiating:

Officiated Football and Basketball for the Southern California Officials Association from 1974 to 1984 (High School, Division 2 college basketball, and professional off-season games, including the Los Angeles Rams basketball team).

Served on the California Southern Section Cross Country Advisory Committee.

Served as a column editor for the California Track and Cross Country Coaches Alliance / Coaches Corner, providing updated articles to help coaches improve their knowledge.

Community Service: Part-time Recreation Director II for the Anaheim Parks and Recreation Department from 1969 to 1984.

Coaching Philosophy
My passion for coaching stems from a lifelong belief in the values instilled by my own teachers, coaches, and teammates. I strive to return the same experiences of physical and mental training to the next generation. My ultimate goal is not about being the best, but about assisting every coach and athlete to accomplish their goals by focusing on effort and desire. Together, we work to embody "The Championship Lifestyle"—understanding that with mutual effort, there are truly no limits.