Athletic Director Deborah Hefter ruled the swimming pool many years ago and has come back to guide Pierce student athletes.
“I’d like them to know that 20 years ago I was in their shoes,” Hefter said. “I’d like to move our program forward, our student athletes forward and develop new sports.”
Hefter recognizes the challenges facing student athletes, but she also has her sights set on a much larger picture.
“I’d like to capture our entire college community into athletics,” Hefter said.
Hefter, a San Fernando Valley native, appears to be well prepared to confront low community involvement and less than ideal facilities to realize her goals. She began swimming at a young age for leisure with her family and developed a deep fondness for the sport. She swam competitively during her scholastic years at Cleveland High School in the late 1990s and later at Pierce, where she was named an All-American.
Beside her physical prowess, Hefter pursued an academic career. She attended California State University, Northridge (CSUN) and Azusa Pacific University.
“It brought together being a kinesiology teacher along with some administrative portions of maybe one day becoming an athletic director,” Hefter said.
She earned her master’s degree in a program called Physical Education, Sports Management and Integrated Leadership.
After graduating from Azusa, Hefter returned to Pierce as a pool manager.
In the interim, Hefter spent time as a swimming coach and lifeguard. Hefter’s efforts helped put her on the path to achieving her goal of becoming an athletic director and affecting change at Pierce.
“My hope is that we can create facilities and places where people want to come congregate and support the student athletes,” Hefter said.
One of her assistants is Judi Terhar, the head coach of the men and womens’ swim teams.
“The average stay for an athletic director is 15 years just to get your feet wet,” Terhar said. “She has done an excellent job with those working under her so far.”
Terhar is excited about working with Hefter based on the past few months of working together.
“She has strong leadership qualities,” Terhar said. “She’s very well organized and has high energy which you need for a position like this.”
Hefter was born in Los Angeles, raised in the San Fernando Valley and she considers herself a “Valley girl,” which explains her concern for the neighboring community.
Hefter has a vision of incorporating Pierce College athletics and the facilities with the community.
“A big challenge for us is making sure that everything is working properly not just for our student athletes, but for our community and high schools,” Hefter said. “We can all be users of our facilities.”
Hefter has high expectations for achieving her goals. Hefter would like to revitalize the entire athletics area with new facilities.
She envisions moving the softball and baseball fields closer together and redoing the gyms so they can meet the standards of the coaches and athletes. Hefter believes that new facilities would entice people to come watch games and events.
Hefter will have help with promoting her vision.
Sports Information Specialist Jose Quevedo is tasked with promoting athletic events on social media and doing whatever it takes to help the program. Quevedo has also been impressed with Hefter’s impact on the Athletic department.
“There’s a lot of momentum now and a lot of support for the athletes,” Quevedo said. “There is just a lot of good morale. It’s been nothing but great working with her.”
Hefter is enjoying her new career and welcomes the accompanying challenges.
“It’s kind of cool to just be ready for the opportunities when they come,” Hefter said. “Just be open-minded and open to all the things that come your way because you never know where you are going to end up.”
