Bobcat Stories

Over the summer, the Athletics Department experienced some exciting changes in job responsibilities. Director Jeaney Garcia added Advancement to her role, giving Dana Alexander, or D.A., as everyone calls her, the title of Associate Director, and with it, much more of a role in the day-to-day operations of the department. Mia Conlon, who joined Bosque School in February of last year as Athletic Trainer, is starting her first full year with big ideas for enhancing the resources and tools available to our athletes.

For Jeaney, taking on the duties of Advancement means building a sustainable and impactful fundraising program that supports student-athletes through meaningful community-focused events, enhanced facilities, and essential equipment upgrades. On Saturday, September 20, the department will host a festive grand opening of the 12 new and refurbished pickleball and tennis courts in the tennis complex. The free event will include a beginners pickleball clinic, a welcome and dedication of the courts, and open play and community fun, including food trucks and music. 

Long in the planning is the launch of a Bosque School Athletic Hall of Fame, which will kick off with an event on February 13, 2026, and which, in honor of its proximity to Valentine’s Day, is themed, “For the Love of Athletetics.” Jeaney is also in an ongoing partnership with the City of Albuquerque Parks and Recreation Department to find ways for our facilities to be used by the public, to build community, and honor the school identity as “a private school with a public purpose.”

D.A., excited to be starting her second year in the department, is focusing on her relationships with the school community and her increased responsibilities managing communications, facilities, equipment, and uniforms. She’s working to get licensing compliance for all the coaches, as well as supporting every game day. She sees herself as an advocate for both athletes and coaches, with shared goals to increase participation and support improvement and progress in each athlete and team’s performance.  

Mia’s key goals include implementing best practices, elevating the rehabilitation space, expanding the range of therapeutic modalities, and providing access to advanced performance equipment. One of her personal priorities is to educate student-athletes about how their bodies function in sport, and to equip them with knowledge and strategies that will serve them well beyond their time at Bosque School. Additionally, Mia brings a unique skill set to Bosque School through her certification in integrative dry needling, which has already been well-received by parents, student-athletes, and staffulty.

All three members of the department, along with Sheila Grijalva, Middle School PE Department Leader, and Bosque School’s more than 60 sport-specific coaches embrace “Positive Coaching,” a model that creates a motivational and positive environment in which everyone can thrive. One remarkable achievement in the past five years, under Jeaney’s leadership, has been increasing representation among the coaching staff. The department has achieved near parity between male and female coaches, a much higher percentage of staffulty and alumni coaches, and an eight-fold increase in coaches identifying as people of color.

As the Athletics Department continues to grow and thrive, all of Bosque School benefits. Every year, Jeaney adds a twist to the Bosque School cheer, and this year, we are paying attention to time. “What Time is it? (tap your wrist) It’s Bobcat time!”