By Melanie Ingler | Communications Coordinator
Waldorf School of the Peninsula is thrilled to welcome Omar Kharroub, known on campus as “Coach Omar,” as our new Athletic Director! We’re excited to have Omar join our community, bringing his energy, passion, and structured approach to our Athletics Department.
Omar’s journey to WSP is as inspiring as it is impressive. Growing up locally in South San Francisco, he began his athletic career in middle and high school, participating in football, basketball, baseball, and even wrestling for a season. His dedication to sports and education led him to play football in college on athletic scholarships, including at Southwest Baptist University and Sterling University. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Exercise Science from Notre Dame de Namur University, Omar’s athletic pursuits took him abroad, where he played football professionally in Europe and South America.
Upon returning to the Bay Area, Omar rekindled his love for coaching and working with students. He coached football for several years throughout Silicon Valley before transitioning into athletic administration. As an Athletic Director at various schools in the area, he focuses on building and strengthening programs while supporting athletes to succeed both on the field and in the classroom.
Omar’s philosophy emphasizes the power of “Small Things,” and he saw it first hand in our athletes at last weekend’s Middle School Basketball Tournament at Sacramento Waldorf. Their dedication to detail and perseverance on the court exemplified the impact that attention to small details can have on overall performance. He observed:
- The girls’ team demonstrated high energy and consistent effort throughout their games.
- The boys’ team showed remarkable perseverance, maintaining full effort regardless of the score—a quality Omar noted as particularly impressive for middle school athletes.
- All athletes exhibited emotional resilience, handling the highs and lows of competition with grace.
Having only just met some of our high school athletes at this week’s Pep Rally, Omar was struck by their positive and relaxed attitude, excellent manners, and initiative in welcoming him to WSP.
At WSP, Omar aims to elevate our athletics program by focusing on the small but crucial details that make a big difference. He’s committed to providing our student -athletes with opportunities typically found in larger high schools, ensuring they have the best possible experience while having fun. Omar’s approach emphasizes surrounding students with excellent coaching, great personalities, and mentors who can support them in learning valuable life skills that will serve them well into adulthood.
When asked what he would like our parents to know as he begins this journey, Omar emphasizes patience, understanding, and cooperation. He’s jumping in full speed ahead to work towards elevating our program, but it will take some time. He stresses the importance of regular and punctual attendance at practices to build team spirit, cultivate teamwork, and boost morale. For WSP community members who aren’t directly involved with athletics, Omar encourages coming to games and matches, as a great crowd significantly helps our teams.
Omar plans to be very intentional in preparing our students for life. He believes it’s not only about the wins and losses of their sport but also about what that will teach them as they grow and develop towards their next stage of life. Whether it’s middle school studentsers moving to high school or high school students transitioning to college or the professional world, they are building skills and habits for their future. While it’s important for students to experience emotions, Omar emphasizes the value of learning to control and balance them.
We’re confident that Omar’s extensive experience and passionate approach will elevate our athletics program to new heights. His commitment to fostering not just athletic excellence, but also personal growth and life skills, aligns perfectly with WSP’s holistic educational philosophy.
As we embark on this exciting new chapter in WSP athletics, we encourage everyone in our community to extend a warm welcome to Omar. If you see him around campus, pPlease don’t hesitate to say hello and introduce yourself. Let’s all come together to support Omar in his mission to enrich our students’ lives through sports and teamwork.
Welcome to WSP, Omar!
