Scottsdale Unified names Steven Cervantes district athletic director, previews middle-school tiered program and staffing challenges

Scottsdale Unified School District on Oct. 3 introduced Steven Cervantes as its new district athletic director and James Pescatore as athletic coordinator and detailed plans to expand middle-school participation through a tiered season while flagging transportation, referee and scheduling challenges.

Cervantes, who said he has worked in Scottsdale Unified for 25 years and previously served as athletic director at Desert Mountain High School, said his first months on the job have focused on meeting principals, coaches and staff across the district. "Getting to know all of the sites...it's been enlightening to hear how they run their programs and the things that we need to work on together and how we can improve the district," said Steven Cervantes, district athletic director.

James Pescatore, the district athletic…