Photo Credit: Courtesy of NAYS
It seems Steve Herrera was destined for a career in recreation. Growing up three blocks from a community center, he spent the bulk of his free time playing sports, forging friendships, and gaining valuable experience. In his 13^(th) year as the recreation supervisor for the city of Carlsbad (Calif.), Herrera puts that knowledge to good use, overseeing a diverse offering of sports programs for 1,500 kids, ranging from 4 to 14.
“As a child, I played many recreation sports, and by being around the community center, I was able to get to know the supervisors and coordinators,” recalls Herrera, “which landed me my first part-time job in recreation at 14 years old as a facility attendant, coach, and a sports official. I worked my way up the ladder, and being around sports made me decide to become a recreation professional.”
During his tenure, he has put a premium on doing things the right way for the kids’ benefit—and it shows.