WACO, Texas — Methodist Children’s Home (MCH) in Waco is proud to announce the hiring of Sarah Arocha as its new athletic director ahead of the 2024-2025 athletic season. Arocha joined the MCH Athletic program in 2010, and brings two decades of experience and will serve as the first female athletic director in her new role. Arocha will officially transition to her new directorial role August 18.
The Waco-native graduated from Waco High School in 2002 and went on to become a student-athletic trainer at Baylor University, working in the football, basketball, track and field, volleyball, and softball programs. Arocha graduated with her bachelor of science degree in education-athletic training in 2007 and obtained her master of science degree in education-sports management in 2008. She went on to become McLennan Community College’s first athletics director intern for Shawn Trochim. Arocha holds certifications in American Heart Association BLS CPR/AED and American Red Cross First Aid. She is also a member of the National Athletic Trainer’s Association.
In her tenure at MCH, Arocha has developed strong relationships with dozens of student-athletes and staff members. Arocha began her career at MCH as an assistant coach and later transitioned to an athletic trainer role in 2012. In this role, Arocha provided injury management, acute management, treatment, rehabilitation, and prevention for student-athletes. She has provided practice and event coverage in all sports, as well as clearance and evaluation of incoming and returning athletes.
While her previous title was athletic trainer in name, Arocha has “served however she was needed” – from coaching volleyball and girls’ basketball to doing the laundry and keeping score.
“There is so much that goes on behind the scenes that not every spectator may know about when it comes to managing an Athletic department,” Arocha said. “I am excited to build off of the strong foundation our staff has built as we enter this new season and I am ready to hit the ground running, doing whatever I can to support our staff and student-athletes.”
While healthy competition is encouraged at MCH, Arocha said “winning is not the main goal for our teams.”
“Our focus is to build Christ-centered relationships with and among our student-athletes,” she said. “My goal is to continue to provide a safe space where our youth can flourish as they grow in accountability, teamwork, leadership, and perseverance.”
Arocha will take the helm of the Bulldogs’ Athletic program that has seen great successes, including a six-man football state championship title (2017) and two boys’ track and field state championship titles in the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
“It is our vision at MCH to empower all we serve to experience life to the fullest and it is my hope for each of our student-athletes to become successful at whatever they put their minds to,” Arocha said. “We see each of our youths’ potential and try to nurture the whole person, not just their athleticism.”
Dorothy Phillips, residential services program administrator said, “Sarah will offer continuity to MCH and the Athletic department with the success she has helped build.
During her time at MCH, Sarah has demonstrated she is an advocate for youth and efficient under pressure. She has actively worked with all MCH sports programs and is familiar with the needs of each program and what it takes to manage daily operations. Sarah knows and understands our mission and core values and integrates them into athletics at all times. We look forward to seeing the exciting and innovative ways she will continue to grow our Athletic program, and all she has to offer.”
The MCH Athletic program is part of the Texas Christian Athletic Fellowship (TCAF), offering six-man football, volleyball, basketball, and track and field to residential students and Day Students of the University of Texas–University Charter School on the Waco campus.
Founded in 1890, Methodist Children’s Home is a nationally accredited nonprofit that serves children and youth through trauma-informed residential programs on the Waco campus and Boys Ranch, and through foster care, transition services, and a variety of family and community services throughout Texas and New Mexico.
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