Mentor Interview #3

The South Bay Family YMCA has a new facility even though it has been a staple in Chula Vista for 50 years. On my first visit to the YMCA I was overwhelmed by all the activities that where going on. The front desk was crowded, full of people that needed help; employees were running around just trying their best to keep up with the customers. There were elderly ladies and gentlemen doing a step class. I had to wait for a while in the lounge. I just sat there and watched all this commotion happen in front of my eyes. The front door opened and I saw a man in a pair of jeans and a Hawaiian shirt, with a name tag that said Tim Macedo. Tim was about 5’7; he had some gray hair on his head and some facial hair. I greeted him with a firm handshake, and right way I could tell that he was a confident man. He explained his job to me very briefly; he told me that he was the Sports Director of the South Bay Family YMCA. We walked to his office which was outside of the facility in a small bungalow. Tim’s desk was chaotic– full of jerseys and rosters and other sports related materials. As we began the interview, we were interrupted by parents that wanted to talk to him about their kid’s sport.

Tim attended Merced and Modesto junior colleges and received his associate’s degree. “I got a B.A. from Cal State Stanislaus up in Turlock, then a Master’s degree from National University” he explained. It wasn’t until he went to Cal State Stanislaus that he figured out what it was that he wanted to be. He decided on sociology with a policing option degree. He worked as a peace officer at animal parks and as a state park ranger for about fifteen years. Tim then retired, until his wife’s job started to slow down. He then choose to go back to work which brought him to the YMCA, where he has been for the last year and a half.


Tim Macedo, the Sports Director of the South Bay Family YMCA,
a personable man I got to know during my internship.

Steven Marin: Where did you go to college?
Tim Macedo: Well I went to Junior College at Merced and Modesto Junior Colleges and then for my AA degree I got a BA Cal State Stanislaus up in Teralot, then a Master’s degree from National University.

SM: What was your experience like?
TM: Once I got to Cal State Stanislaus it was and I figured out what it I wanted to do I, it was exciting. I really enjoyed that part of the college.

SM: What did you major as?
TM: Sociology with a policing option. I worked as a peace officer in animal parks and state parks for about fifteen years before I…


SM: And that was you first job?
TM: Well it was not my first job, but it was my first permanent type job.

SM: What was the most important thing you learned at that job?
TM: Really how to deal with people. It’s a little different well you do some of the things and techniques as a sports director since you're constantly dealing with people. It could be people who need to ask questions, who are out of rate, some who might be injured--its mainly just how you are dealing with people

SM: What would you advise to me in the future about colleges and universities?
TM: I was not ready for college myself. I didn’t take the right classes in high school that would have prepared me for college. So again one would be take A.P. courses for your classes at High Tech High and try to get as much experience as you can beforehand, so you can have a idea of what is it that you want to pursue and just focus on that. I just went to school to go to school for the first couple of years. I know that I had to get a education but I really didn’t know what it was that I really wanted to do.
SM: How long have you been a Sports Director? Do you like it?
TM: About a year. Some days and there’s others where its very challenging.

SM: If you were to do something else, what would it be?
TM: I did some teaching at the college level... I enjoyed that. Maybe go into home land security. Do that type of work but with my injury I can work in the law enforcement. But I still enjoy the excitement


SM: How did your parents feel?
TM: I retreat about ten years ago. I have done some teaching and some part time jobs taking care of my wife because she was in real estate, and I kinda took care of my kids but once the real estate industry went in the tank she went back to work for the state and it was time for me to get a full time job.