Peter Soto ’01, a former middle school dean, has returned to Poly Prep this school year as Director of Athletics and Chair of Physical Education. Soto is excited to return to Poly in this new role and to be part of the athletics department.
For Soto, coming back to Poly feels like coming home. He graduated from Poly and, after college, returned to work at the lower school, holding several positions. He took a hiatus from Poly and later returned as a middle school dean. One of the students he advised, Grace King ’28, said, “I’m glad to see Soto back at Poly. He was my dean for a majority of my middle school experience and has had a lasting impact on the student I’ve become today.”
Soto’s ties to Poly are deeply personal.“It’s kind of like home. My mom works at the lower school, and I met my partner at the Lower School working with her and it’s just been home for so long,” said Soto about what drew him back to Poly this school year.
Being active has been a huge part of Soto’s life, which is why he is excited to lead Poly’s physical education program. “I’ve always loved to play sports. When I was growing up, I remember playing on the street and playing football…and it just brought people together,” said Soto.
Soto takes on the position formally held by Lou Candel, who is now the Head of Athletics. Their roles are incredibly collaborative; however, Candel said there are key differences. “I would say I’m doing a little bit more macro-type things, like dealing with admissions a little more. I’m dealing with advancement a little more,” said Candel. “Peter’s doing a little bit more of the day-to-day things, although the truth is, we’re really working on a lot of things together.” One of the main goals they share is to enhance students’ experience with sports and physical education and to demonstrate how the skills learned there can benefit them in other areas of life. “There is a big connection between moving your body and your mental health,” said Soto. “[It helps with] being able to concentrate in class and being able to feel like you have accomplished something.”
Looking ahead. Soto hopes to make a lasting impact not only on students through athletics and PE, but also on the families watching their kids. “I want to put kids in places to have great joy. I want them to learn lessons. I want them to work together, even when they don’t succeed, it’s a learning opportunity, and I hope to highlight putting your best foot forward, getting better every day, and being able to come together with other people [who] want to succeed,” said Soto.
As he enters the second month in his new position, Soto has a clear vision for how he wants to develop and improve athletics and PE at Poly. “We’re trying to make Poly athletics as accessible as possible to student athletes coming in to make sure that we have good kids on our teams and really build the bonds with their teammates and coaches forever,” said Candel. “I think Mr. Soto, having been an alum, middle school dean, he’s had so many jobs at Poly Prep, he just has a great feel for the place, and I know he’s going to do a great job as athletic director.”
