On March 3, four new inductees to the Citrus Belt Area Athletic Directors Association (CBAADA) Hall of Fame were celebrated with a banquet luncheon. Among those honored were two former JUSD athletic directors, Ed Luna and Ray Marisnick.
Nominated then voted for by association members, Hall of Fame candidates must have served at least 10 years as an athletic director to qualify. “It’s very touching to get that kind of honor from your peers and colleagues,” said Ed Luna, former athletic director of Rubidoux High.
Mr. Luna served 14 years while also coaching football and track & field. Now retired from his role as an athletic director, he still coaches. “I love the kids. It doesn’t matter what level, from beginners to elite. It’s all about teaching and helping them improve,” he shared.
Ray Marisnick was the athletic director at two high schools, first Rubioux then Patriot High, for 15 years before becoming Patriot’s assistant principal of athletics and activities in 2019.
Both educators served on CBAADA committees that oversaw awards, scholarships, and events for directors, coaches, and student-athletes of the Citrus Belt Area, which encompasses more than 80 high schools in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. “They are those athletic directors that are usually very involved at their schools and really care about their communities,” said Mr. Marisnick, speaking of those involved with CBAADA. “When we come together as an association, it's a powerful group of people that get a lot done.”
One of Mr. Luna’s goals as an athletic director was to prioritize sportsmanship, and for each of his 14 years, Rubidoux received a CBAADA Sportsmanship award. “Winning or losing would take care of itself,” said Mr. Luna. “So as long as we did things the right way, we were good and that’s what we stood for.”
Mr. Marisnick focused his efforts on recruiting quality coaches, reporting that most of Patriot’s coaches once played at the collegiate level or higher. He also celebrated students who earned athletic scholarships, calling their achievements “the rewards of being an athletic director.”
Both educators believe in the importance of school sports, and how they positively shape students throughout their high school tenure. "You see the growth from their freshman year through their [senior] year,” said Mr. Marisnick. “As seniors, they're very responsible, they're committed. And you can count on them.”
At the banquet luncheon, Hall of Fame inductees were presented by speakers of their choosing. Guests included relatives of the inductees and JUSD staff. “I also got to invite the four ladies that were my athletic secretaries over those 14 years,” shared Mr. Luna.
“Mr. Luna and Mr. Marisnick have been anchors in the JUSD community for decades,” stated Superintendent Dr. Trenton Hansen, who attended the banquet. “They always placed the interests of our students first as they led highly successful athletic programs. Their contributions to our district are second to none.”
Mr. Marisnick believes his time as an athletic director prepared him for his current role as an assistant principal. ”It teaches you to deal with a lot of high stress, excitable moments in the best way possible,” he shared.
Mr. Luna, for his part, is enjoying a well-deserved retirement, but Rubidoux athletes will see him on the field for a while yet. “I’ll always coach,” he said, before referencing the satisfaction he gets from making a difference in a kid’s life. “In coaching, you get that opportunity every day.”
For more information on CBAADA, please visit
cbaada.org.
