(Bellflower, California) – St. John Bosco High School is welcoming three new coaches to its athletic community for the 2026-27 school year. Chase Sanders, Rafael Segura, and Luke Pope bring extensive experience in sports performance, lacrosse, and volleyball, as well as a shared commitment to the development of young people both on and off the field.

Their arrival comes following another successful year for Bosco Athletics. During the 2025-26 school year, 28 graduating student-athletes continued their athletic careers at the collegiate level, one graduate signed a professional contract, and several teams competed on the national stage. Bosco also captured CIF Southern Section Division 1 championships in wrestling and baseball.

Chase Sanders Joins Bosco as Sports Performance Coach and Physical Education Teacher

St. John Bosco has appointed Chase Sanders as a Physical Education Teacher and Sports Performance Coach. Sanders will lead Sports Performance Strength & Conditioning classes and work with student-athletes in football, basketball, baseball, and volleyball.

He will collaborate with the Bosco coaching staff to develop a comprehensive performance program focused on strength, speed, power, movement quality, and injury resilience.

Sanders brings more than a decade of collegiate and high school strength and conditioning experience. Most recently, he worked with Damien High School while operating his own performance training company. He previously served as Head Strength & Conditioning Coach at Cal Poly Pomona, where he directed performance training for all 11 varsity athletic programs. His experience also includes coaching positions at Utah State University, Weber State University, and Orange Lutheran High School.

Sanders earned a Master of Science in Sports Conditioning & Performance from Southern Utah University and a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology from BYU-Idaho. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association and holds additional certifications in USA Weightlifting Sport Performance, Functional Range Conditioning Mobility, and CPR/AED.

“At Bosco, we’re constantly looking for ways to better serve our student-athletes,” said Vince Brown, Director of Athletics. “As our programs continue to compete at the highest levels of high school athletics, investing in sports performance is essential. Alongside Strength & Conditioning Department Lead Steven Lo, Coach Sanders brings the expertise and passion we need to help our students maximize their God-given talents and prepare for success at the next level.”

Rafael Segura Named Head Lacrosse Coach and Mathematics Teacher

Rafael Segura joins St. John Bosco as Head Lacrosse Coach and a member of the Mathematics Department.

Segura brings experience as a coach, educator, and mentor. He earned bachelor’s and Master of Arts degrees in Sport Management from California State University, Long Beach, where he received the Bill Shumard Award for excellence in the graduate program.

Most recently, Segura served as Associate Head Coach at Los Alamitos High School and directed the Beach Cities Youth Lacrosse program. He has also coached elite travel teams with SoCalExpress and West Coast Warriors/MINT Lacrosse, helping athletes compete at regional and national levels.

In 2024, Segura represented Mexico at the World Box Lacrosse Championships as a member of the Mexican National Lacrosse Team.

His experience with young people extends beyond athletics. Segura has worked as a substitute teacher in the Los Alamitos Unified School District and previously served as an Academic Student Mentor at UCLA, supporting NCAA Division I student-athletes in their academic development.

He will join the Bosco faculty as a mathematics teacher with the beginning of the 2026-27 school year.

“We were looking for someone who could lead our lacrosse program while also making a meaningful impact in the classroom,” said Brown. “Rafael is an outstanding educator, mentor, and coach who understands that athletics and academics go hand in hand. His energy, character, and commitment to developing young men make him an excellent fit for our mission, and we’re excited to welcome him to the Bosco family.”

Luke Pope Named Head Volleyball Coach

Luke Pope has been named the new Head Volleyball Coach at St. John Bosco. He comes to Bosco with experience as both a player and coach, including NCAA Division I coaching experience and championship success.

Pope most recently served as Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator for the women’s volleyball program at the University of the Pacific. Previously, he helped lead Long Island University to a Northeast Conference Championship and served as Head Men’s Volleyball Coach at Ottawa University.

As a player, Pope was a CCCAA State Champion, First Team All-State selection, USA U23 Elite Ten Beach Team member, NAIA All-American, and NAIA Newcomer of the Year. As a coach, he has helped develop NCAA Division I All-Americans, a West Coast Conference Player of the Year, and championship-caliber teams.

Pope’s connection to Catholic education and the local community also makes his appointment meaningful. He attended St. Joseph Catholic School in Long Beach before graduating from Long Beach Wilson High School.

“We were looking for a coach who embraces the mission of St. John Bosco while bringing the experience, energy, and vision to elevate our volleyball program,” said Brown. “Luke’s passion for teaching the game, developing student-athletes, and building meaningful relationships made him the clear choice. We are thrilled to welcome him to the Bosco family.”

Pope takes over a volleyball program coming off a strong 2026 season that ended with an appearance in the CIF Southern Section Division 3 Finals. The Braves return a talented group of players, including All-CIF selections Austin and Franklin Shiekh.

Pope has already begun his work with the Bosco community and will host a Youth Volleyball Camp for sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade students on the St. John Bosco campus. The two-day camp is scheduled for July 23-24 from 9 a.m. to noon. For more information and registration, visit http://www.bosco.org/volleyball.

The addition of Sanders, Segura, and Pope reflects St. John Bosco’s continued commitment to the holistic development of its young men. Through the classroom, athletics, and the relationships formed within the Bosco community, the school continues to accompany students as they grow in character and develop the gifts they have been given.