Athletics

Athletics Staff

Calvary Day Athletics Head Coaches

Administrators

List of 3 items.

Phillip Lee - Director of Athletics / Varsity Coach Baseball

Phillip Lee is a native Savannahian and an alum of Calvary Day School. Upon graduation from Calvary in 2003, Lee attended Brewton Parker College where he played and coached, while receiving his Bachelor's degree in Middle Grades Education. After college, Lee joined the staff at Calvary where he started as a teacher and coach. Over the last fifteen years, Lee has served in roles as Middle School teacher, Middle School Principal, Director of Admissions and currently he serves as Director of Athletics. Lee is humbled and privileged to serve at Calvary Day School and looks forward to what God has in store for the future.

plee@calvarydayschool.com
Daniel Jackson - Asst. Director of Athletics / Varsity Coach Girls Basketball

Daniel serves as Assistant AD for Operations and Varsity Girls Basketball head coach. His impact is felt in many areas he coaches and impacts the whole child for growth. Daniel earned a B.A. in Business, Sociology and Justice Studies from Georgia Southern University. His life verse is Psalm 91:1-2.

djackson@calvarydayschool.com
Michelle Smeltzer - Administrative Athletic Assistant

Michelle Smeltzer is a native Savannahian and an alum of Calvary Day School. Smeltzer has a B.S. in Health and Physical Education degree from Armstrong State College. Smeltzer has a passion for working with children and enjoys spending time with her family. Her son, Bryson Smeltzer, is a 2017 graduate of Calvary Day School as well as her daughter, Tynley Smeltzer who graduated in 2021. Smeltzer is a sports enthusiast who loves the life lessons that sports can teach both parents and children. Smeltzer has served roles as a substitute teacher, Spanish Teacher, Middle and Upper School Admissions Specialist, and currently serves as the Administrative Assistant to the Athletic Director. Her favorite verse is Jeremiah 29:11. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." She is and always will be a Cavalier! Go Cavs!

msmeltzer@calvarydayschool.com

List of 18 items.

Kelly Smoltz - Volleyball

I coach because I get the opportunity to build relationships with athletes that share a passion for volleyball. I enjoy helping athletes achieve their athletic goals, picking up tangible life skills along the way. Also, winning is fun.
Taylor King - Bass Fishing

I coach to serve and lead our young people through Christ so they can become better Christians, sons/daughters, siblings, leaders, students, young adults, and student-athletes.
Scepter Brownlee - Varsity Boys Basketball

If Jesus Christ saved my soul, then basketball saved my life. I played a variety of sports growing up, but basketball was my passion. I was fortunate to encounter great coaches who used basketball to teach me what it meant to be a good person, a hard worker, and a leader. I coach to pay homage to the coaches who helped me chase my dreams. I want to help young people unlock God's plan for their life, and be a guide to alert them of life's many pitfalls and distractions. Basketball is my platform, but Christ is the WAY and the WHY.
Taylor Bocook - Cheer

As the program coordinator of the cheerleading team at Calvary Day School, my mission is to develop students in a Christ-centered environment where they can grow not only as athletes but as individuals. I am passionate about helping students strengthen their faith, build lasting friendships, and develop both their physical abilities and their character. By fostering a culture of encouragement, discipline, and teamwork, I aim to guide each student toward becoming a confident and compassionate leader both on and off the field, embodying the school's commitment to develop the total student - spiritually, academically, socially, and physically.
Curt Jones - Clay Target

As a coach, my mission is to foster an environment where student-athletes can develop discipline, a sense of team and the confidence to perform to the best of their ability under any condition. I believe that participating in shooting sports not only enhances marksmanship and focus but also instills invaluable skills for life such as perseverance, responsibility and sportsmanship. My goal is to set each athlete on the path to reach their full potential, both on and off the field and course, by promoting a strong sense of confidence in the ability to learn, grow and adapt to change. Together, we strive for excellence, celebrate our achievements, and learn from our challenges, with a singular goal of having fun throughout the process.
Natalie Helbling - Cross Country & Girls Soccer

I coach to foster growth of young athletes in leadership roles on the field, community and collaboration among teammates, and encourage the development of hard work, commitment, and Christlike living while in a competitive setting.
Amy Tomberlin - Dance

Throughout high school and college, I had coaches and team members who helped me become the woman I am today. When you love what you do and your team, it shows. I coach because I love what group sports brought into my life and because of that, I wanted the privilege to pour into students' lives and form those meaningful relationships that go beyond the routine.
Suzannah Forbes - Dance

I know the character and self worth that dancing builds in a person. Dance is a tool God used in my life to shape who I am today. I coach the dance team because I want to be a part of God's plan of building up His daughters to be strong, brave, and wrapped in a lifelong community.
Ansel Maynard - Esports

I coach to share my passion for competitive gaming and to develop young adults into the best versions of themselves. I coach to promote the growing community of competitive gaming, develop professionalism and teamwork, and guide athletes to be christ-centered individuals.
Anna Barron - Flag Football

I coach because I love to see students be their best in and outside the classroom. I love the opportunity to build better relationships with the students through something they love. I was the girl in high school who loved football and wanted to be the first female player to play football at my high school. I have always been a football fan and am loving the opportunity to learn something new!
Mark Stroud - Varsity Football

I coach to positively impact student athletes to help them become the person Christ created them to be by providing a Christ centered habitat , developing relationships and modeling Christ like traits.
Chad Carver - Varsity Golf & Softball

I coach to nurture the development of young people both individually and collectively through hard work and love with a strong belief in themselves, and others to reach a common goal.
Phillip Yount - Boys Lacrosse

I coach because I love to pour into the kids and help form meaningful relationships. The skills taught in team sport are important, but are second to the life long relationship you could share.
Todd Spilliards - Girls Lacrosse

I coach to empower others to realize their potential, guiding them through challenges so they can grow, achieve their goals, and build confidence in their own abilities.
David Koebler- Director of Athletic Academy / Boys Soccer

I coach for the love of the game.
Rebekah Matthews - Swimming

Coaching allows me to share my passion for swimming and the Lord. I not only get to challenge them to excel in the pool but also challenge them in their walk with the Lord. That is a true honor and a pleasure and I strive to be the best I can for them and to honor God.
Terence Watts - Track & Field

For me, "coaching" is community. I am not simply pouring into the students or helping the students. I am humble enough to realize that they are pouring into me as well. Through our interactions, the goal is to become better athletes, better coaches, and most importantly, better people. God works through this process to teach us to become more and more like Him.
Caroline Thomas - Tennis

I started coaching because of my passion for sports, which has shaped my life from middle school onward. I love pushing my limits and striving to be my best version. My experiences with coaches who challenged me motivated me to help my athletes reach their full potential. I aim to foster growth not just in athletics but also in their personal and spiritual lives. Coaching is about building resilience and a lifelong commitment to improvement. Together, we can become better athletes and individuals.

Team Physician

List of 1 items.

David N. Palmer, MD - Team Physician

David Palmer, MD is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with specialty training in sports medicine. Dr. Palmer received his medical degree and completed his internship at the University of Florida in Gainesville. He followed his internship with a medical residency at the University of Missouri in Kansas City. After completing his residency he pursued additional training at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond. Specializing in treating athletes and athletic conditions, Dr. Palmer found his passion for sports medicine while playing linebacker for the Florida State Seminoles. Observing and interacting with the team’s trainers gave him the desire to pursue a career in orthopedic medicine. Dr. Palmer has been in practice with Optim Orthopedics for 22 years; seeing patients in Savannah and the surrounding areas. He has proudly served as the team physician for Calvary Day School for three years. To learn more about Dr. Palmer, please visit optimorthopedics.com