From local businesses to the doors of campus classrooms, Manny Lara will make his pitch for Channel High athletics and academics.

After serving as the school's baseball coach last spring, the former sixth-grade teacher at McAuliffe Elementary School has been hired as the Channel Islands athletic director.

Lara, 36, replaces Dan Anderson, who left for a teaching position at Oxnard.

"We're going to try to build upon the successes that Dan was already having," said Lara.

Under Anderson's watch, Channel Islands athletic programs had double-digit increases in overall winning percentage over the last two years.

"In some sports, like girls' basketball, we want to see what they are doing," said Lara. "How are they getting their fan support? How are they getting booster support? How are they getting their athletes to be successful?"

A graduate of Channel Islands, Lara wants to be heavily involved in an outreach program with activities director Brett Zielsdorf into the school's community.

"We want to get the kids that live in our school boundaries to come to Channel Islands and participate in the school spirit," said Lara. "We want to make Channel Islands a place where kids want to come, not only for athletics, but for the school.

"If we can do that, we'll hold our own."

As a former Little League baseball association president and AYSO coach, Lara is aware of the value of extending a hand to youth organizations.

"We will work with the local sports associations to make the campus facilities available," said Lara.

To help draw financial support for Channel Islands sports programs, Lara will approach businesses in the community.

"I have to go out and beat the pavements to build relationships with the local businesses," said Lara. "We need to ask for their help and let them know that it is a two-way street."

To Lara, no assignment that he undertakes is more important than having a positive influence on the lives of the students.

"If you can get just a couple of kids who weren't going to go to college or stay in high school continue their education, you change their lives for the better and that makes it worthwhile," said Lara.

It was Lara's vision for the athletic program and school community that drew Channel Islands administrators to hire him, said assistant principal Mark Contreras.

"Manny brings in fresh energy," said Contreras. "His outlook is so positive to restoring our programs. We thought he could bring in a new perspective."