Shane Purcell is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Desert Heights for AZPreps.com.

The world of athletics continues to grow more diverse, and the athletic department at Desert Heights Prep is a prime example.

Professional sports is finally moving away from the incumbent gender inequality we have seen since its conception. At Desert Heights, the almost entirely female athletic department represents how, and why, change keeps happening.

Athletic director Courtney Martin leads the department that includes Percy Kincaid, Michelle Robles, Marissa Robles, Amanda Brownlow, Ashley Munson, Krissi Eliott and Stephanie Haldiman.

From scheduling to coordinating to accounting and even operating the game clock, Martin’s staff covers everything the athletic programs need.

“They would do anything to make sure our kids never miss an opportunity,” Martin said.

Assistant athletic director Percy Kincaid is one of two men on the athletic staff. Compared to departments he has worked with in the past, he says this one stands out because of its family environment.

“Most of the ladies who help in the athletic department either had kids who played in the program or still have kids who play in the program,” Kincaid said.

Martin jokes that he does not reciprocate the care and affection that the women in the department do, but Kincaid still sees their method as a positive. “Our kids spend the night at their houses,” he said. “It’s just a big extension of a family.”

Even so, Kincaid says there is no shortage of toughness. “They’ll work the chains for football if need be,” he said.

Football coach Kendrick Felix praises their work ethic. “We couldn’t do anything without them,” he said.

With so many key members of the department being a part of the Desert Heights family, it gives them an extra element of commitment. 

“Some of them may not even be interested in football, but they’re interested in supporting the program because the program represents the school,” Felix said.

Martin is the tone setter for work ethic and passion in the department. When asked about the structure of her mostly female staff she responded: “That’s a really great point,” as if she had never considered the gender make-up before.

To Martin, the diversity in her department is about one thing. “I’m talking about vision,” Martin said.

She recognizes the value of having people from all walks of life. “It’s so important to have people within your community that can cover all the different aspects of things,” Martin said.

Her staff includes a blend of parents, former students, former college athletes and coaches, who utilize their diverse perspectives on sport to create the best program they can.

“I can’t say enough good things about them,” Felix said. “(They) make sure that all programs have what they need to be successful.”