DAVIS, Calif. — It's not often that a long, successful career can finally come full circle. But for Kim Miyano-Saban, a Davis native and DHS alumna, becoming the new Athletics Administration Assistant was exactly that.

"The position made a lot of sense," Miyano-Saban said, who took on the role with Davis High after moving back to California to be closer to family. "It’s close to home, and I know how hard coaches work and how much time they give. I saw it as a great chance to give back to the school."

Miyano-Saban, who previously worked in the healthcare space, has master's degrees from the University of Colorado Denver (Health Administration) and the University of Colorado Boulder (Business Administration). DHS Athletic Director Mark McGreevy was impressed by her experience and excited to add her to the Blue Devil team.

"Kim brings a wealth of professional experience and expertise to this crucial position," McGreevy said. "She will draw from her extensive background in healthcare administration and her service in non-profits, including Davis educational and youth sport organizations. Her impressive credentials are only surpassed by her genuine commitment and care for our community."

As the Athletics Administration Assistant, much of Miyano-Saban's work involves "all the nuts and bolts" that go on behind the sports scene. Physical clearances, game calendars, and booking practice fields for DHS teams are all part of her everyday duties.

The job also holds a special place in her heart, as she is a former student-athlete herself. When she attended Davis High (Class of '89), she was one of the charter members of the school's badminton team.

"It started as just playing in P.E.," she explained, laughing over how she and a friend from volleyball developed their own technique. "When we started, we didn't really play traditional badminton. We'd play it like volleyball doubles, and I'm sure other people looked at us like, 'What are these girls doing.'"

The team quickly rose to success, however, winning CIF her very first year. And while the achievement was satisfying, what Miyano-Saban says she enjoyed most was the thrill of representing DHS.

"My husband and I talk to our kids about how you can play for yourself, play for your team, but there’s something special about playing for your school," she said. "It creates a unique bond with the sport you're part of and connects you to your community."

With these fond memories in mind, Miyano-Saban wants to continue helping athletes enjoy the honor of representing DHS. She's also happy to follow in the footsteps of Laurie Williams, the former Athletics Administration Assistant, who recently retired after 18 years.

"I want to make Laurie proud and continue all her great work," Miyano-Saban said, hoping athletes and families see a smooth transition this fall. "There are a lot of nitty-gritty things that need to happen to have a Friday night football game under the lights, and I'm very excited to start."