Two of Tampa Prep's very own coaches, Carol Chalu and Joe Fenlon, made the list for Top Fifty Coaches in Tampa Bay History. These two coaches have put a tremendous amount of hard work into their coaching careers and their passion for athletics is clear. The Walter Athletic Complex volleyball and basketball courts are dedicated to Chalu and Fenlon for the many lives they have touched as well as their hard work and commitment.
Chalu was the first female high school Athletic Director in the state of Florida. She served as the Athletic Director at Tampa Prep from 1974-2012. During that time, Chalu coached the Terrapins volleyball team for 21 years, leading them to win 12 state titles, the first in 1980. She won the title of Volleyball Coach of the Year in 1989. Chalu was also the head coach for the girl's basketball team in 1977, leading them to a state championship as well. Chalu retired in 2010, and in 2011 she was awarded the Deane Booth Leadership Award.
After 35 years at Tampa Prep, Joe Fenlon has become the face of the school as a teacher, head coach and in numerous administrative roles which currently include Associate Head of School and Head of the Middle School. Fenlon has been Tampa Prep's boy's head basketball coach for 36 seasons, leading the team to their first state championship. In 2015, Fenlon achieved 700 coaching wins, and that number has only increased each year since. For that landmark 700th win, player alumni from as far back as 1983 came to watch him win that 700th game. Fenlon has truly made a powerful impact at Tampa Prep, and he's not done yet!
