Steve Botkin graduated from Sahuaro in 1986 and from the University of Arizona in 1990. While at Sahuaro Steve played football and discovered his love for basketball. He volunteered as an assistant girls’ basketball coach with Jim Scott while he was still in college. Steve also was mentored by legendary coach Dick McConnell.
In 1988 Steve became the freshman girls’ basketball coach and his love for coaching flourished. Steve then became the junior varsity girls coach at Sahuaro and then the Varsity coach at Rincon High School.
When Jim Scott retired in 2000 Steve became the 3rd Varsity girls basketball coach at Sahuaro. He has amassed over 550 career wins and is currently ranked #1 in Southern Arizona for girls basketball. His most recent accomplishment was his girls’ team playing in the State Championship game. Steve has also coached football and softball at Sahuaro. In 2001 Steve
started teaching. He taught physical education and also ran the drivers education curriculum along with the Behind the Wheel program after school for students. Steve has run basketball camps, been involved with the American Cancer Society for over 10 years, and has run the Boyd Baker Basketball tournament for several years at Sahuaro.
Steve’s mother (Clara Botkin) is a member of the Cougar Hall of Fame. His wife Laura is a Sahuaro graduate (1989) and his two children Rick and Alyssa are Sahuaro honors graduates.
In 2017 Steve became the Activities Director at Sahuaro. Steve continues to support the administration and all aspects of Sahuaro through athletics and activities. He definitely bleeds Red and Blue!