Assistant Principal for Student Opportunities
Mr. Belcher is originally from Camden County, New Jersey. He has been teaching and coaching in Arizona for 22 years; he joined Phoenix Union in 2002. Mr. Belcher was an Advanced Biology and Chemistry Teacher and the Varsity Head Football Coach at both Central (2002 - 2007) and Fairfax (2007 -2014) high schools. Coach Belcher became the Assistant Principal of Student Opportunities and Athletic Director at Fairfax (2014 - 2022). This will be his ninth year as an Assistant Principal in PXU; and his first at Central High School.
Like many PXU students and alumnae, Mr. Belcher is a first-generation high school and college graduate. Coach Belcher takes great pride in supporting student-athletes in the pursuit and attainment of their goals. His WHY for teaching and coaching continues to be the desire to help students develop goals, identify opportunities, and feel confidence, courage, and preparedness to pursue their dreams in education, career, and life.
Mr. Belcher has continued his own education. He is a nationally Certified Master Athletic Administrator (CMAA). This will be his fourth term (2019 - present) as Arizona’s State Coordinator of Professional Development for the AIAAA/NIAAA Leadership Training Institute. He works with representatives of each state to advance this national training program and teach the athletic administrators for the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators’ Association (NIAAA). In addition, Mr. Belcher serves on multiple committees for the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA).
Mr. Belcher has received numerous honors at the district, state, and national level for developing original leadership programs for coaches and athletes.
Recent Professional Awards and Honors
2022 NIAAA University Leadership Cohort
2021 AIAAA Recipient Distinguished Service Award
2021 NIAAA Certified Master Athletic Administrator
2018 AIA Administrator of the Year
2018 AIAAA 5A Conference Athletic Director of the Year
2018 PXU District Athletic Director of the Year
2016 NIAAA Certified Athletic Administrator
2011 Region Coach of the Year
2006 AIA Coach of the Year Finalist
2006 City of Phoenix Coach of the Year
2006 Region Coach of the Year
2000 Recipient of Thomas J Gallia Bronze Medallion for Excellence in Secondary Teaching from Rowan University