Bio

John C. DeVore graduated from Hilltop High School in 1966 where he participated in three sports. During his senior year, he played varsity football and started as a quarterback. He also played varsity basketball earning the Lancer’s Most Valuable Player award and 1^st team All-Metro League honors. Although a very gifted all-around athlete, John focused on golf and was rewarded for his dedication and hard work. He competed for three years on the varsity team and in 1965 and 1966 was named Most Valuable Player and 1^st team All-Metro League. In his senior year, John was also 1^st team All-CIF.

John attended Southwestern College from 1967 to 1968 earning his AA degree and numerous awards as a two year, two sports athlete competing in basketball and golf. In basketball, as a sophomore, he was selected the Apaches Most Valuable Player and named to the Pacific Southwest Conference’s 1sst team. Notably, John once shot 299 consecutive free throws in practice session.

An outstanding golfer, the Apaches were fortunate to have John play for their squad. He was their ’67 and ’68 Most Valuable Player and also earned 1^st Team All Pacific Southwest Conference honors both years. In 1968, as a sophomore, he won the Individual Conference Tournament. John’s best athletic memory is shooting a 74/74 in 36 holes on two different courses in Santa Maria, CA during the State Championship Tournament. As a result the “Apaches” placed 8^th and John placed 9^th individually. In 1969 he transferred to San Diego State University where he competed on the Aztec’s golf team as a junior and senior. He graduated with a BA degree and then went on to earn a Standard Secondary Teaching Credential with a major in Physical Education and a minor in History.

Although John was a very accomplished athlete, he is best known for being an outstanding educator in the Sweetwater Union High School District over the past 39 years. In his early years, he taught and coached football, soccer, and girls basketball at Montgomery High for 14 years, and in 1979 he was named the Metro League Football Coach of the Year. For the past 22 years he has served as a dedicated secondary school administrator. In 2002 John was named ACSA Principal of the Year for the southern California, and in 2003 received the Kurt Fredrich Award for Courage in Leadership and the Charger Champion for Administrative Leadership. He is currently the Principal of Olympian High School and has been an AVID Key Note Speaker since 2001.

Committed to their family, John and Sheila DeVore have been married for 34 years. Their daughter Sarah married to Tim Crosson, and they have a son Wesley who is two. Their son Ray is married to Candice, and they have a daughter Aviva who is three years old.

Although renowned for his impressive athletic accomplishments, John tells us, “My greatest memory of Southwestern is not associated with ant one event, but rather with a life history and close connection to the college, especially from 1961-1983. During this time, and because of my father’s role as President, I too felt a personal pride in the development, growth and success of Southwestern College. I even received a life time (part-time) teaching credential and taught golf for several semesters. I am so proud of my father’s commitment, leadership and legacy. I am also proud of my own heritage and connection to the college, and I am honored to be part of the Athletic Hall of Fame.” Welcome back John C. DeVore and thank you for the many contributions you have made to the Chula Vista community as an educator, coach, and administrator.