Athletics

Philosophy

Gulliver provides athletic opportunities to meet the needs of all students. While taking pride in a winning tradition, Gulliver’s Athletic Program seeks to develop character, build self-esteem, and teach the values of teamwork and good sportsmanship.

Policy

The athletic director oversees the entire athletic program, including facilities, scheduling, and staffing. All students participating in athletics must meet health, permission, academic, and behavior requirements. Student athletes who desire to continue playing sports in college will be advised and assisted with college placement through the Guidance and Athletic Departments. The Athletic Program is supported by the Gulliver Schools Parent Booster Club.

Athletic Directors

Mark Schusterman

Mark Schusterman was born and raised in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Coach Schusterman attended Baker University and Florida International University where he earned his history degree. He began his coaching career in 1980 as an assistant to Killian’s legendary basketball coach, Bob Kaufman. In 1984, Schusterman was named head basketball coach at LaSalle High School and after one successful year at LaSalle, he moved to Gulliver as the head boys basketball and cross country coach.

The following year, Schusterman moved from cross country to softball and has coached the team ever since. During his first 15 years at Gulliver, he also coached football and taught world history. In 1996, coach Schusterman became Gulliver’s Middle School Athletic Director. During his tenure at that capacity, he expanded the program by adding lacrosse, water polo, boys golf, and sixth grade football and basketball. He led the girls softball team to state championships in 1998 and 2001.

Coach Schusterman currently serves as FACA’s state softball chairman and is a member of the FHSAA softball advisory committee. He became the Preparatory’s athletic director in 2007 and was inducted into the Florida Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2009.

R.C. Ganser

R.C., originally from South Bend, Indiana, enters his fifth year as Assistant Athletic Director at Gulliver Schools. Majoring in English Education, R.C. taught high school English full time for seven years before entering administration as the Director of Activities prior to his current position. He teaches an English class each semester to keep his roots in the classroom.

R.C. has coached a multitude of sports. Using his college playing experience in baseball at Valparaiso University and his basketball experience at Indiana University South Bend, he has coached both sports for over fifteen years in both head and assistant capacities at the high school level. R.C. also has coached high school girls softball and volleyball and in grade school cross country.

“Coaching and teaching are essentially the same; only the venue is different. The lessons learned about life are the true subject matter,” says R.C.

Diana Santiago

Diana Santiago brings to Gulliver over 25 years experience in education and coaching. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Coach Santiago received her degree from the University of Puerto Rico, where she was part of the swimming, basketball, and softball varsity teams.

Coach Santiago began teaching physical education in Miami at Archbishop Curley High School in 1988. From 1994-2000, she served Gulliver as a physical education teacher and as the swimming and water polo head coach. In 2000, she became the athletic director, swimming and water polo head coach at Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart. In 2007, she returned to Gulliver to serve as the schools Academy athletic director.