Steve Doten, appointed Director of Athletics at Lake Tahoe Community College in June of 2024, brings over 20 years of experience in collegiate athletic administration, coaching, and teaching. With a proven track record at prestigious institutions and governing bodies, Doten’s diverse expertise in aquatics, event management, and student-athlete development has allowed him to make a lasting impact in every role he has held.
Before joining LTCC, Doten served as the Assistant Director for Event Management with the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF), where he led event operations for aquatic championships and played a key role in securing the MPSF's first-ever live streaming media deal with Overnght. He worked closely with coaches and administrators across 13 Olympic sports, further strengthening his ability to collaborate with diverse teams and manage complex operational needs.
From 2021 to 2023, Doten was Associate Director of Athletics at California State University Maritime Academy, where he managed multiple sports programs, oversaw day-to-day operations for the Physical Education and Aquatics Center (PEAC), and served as Head Coach for both the men’s and women’s water polo teams. He was instrumental in organizing the first-ever golf tournament fundraiser at Cal Maritime, raising over $100,000 to support student-athlete scholarships and campus improvements.
Doten has deep roots in the water polo community, having served as Commissioner of the Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) from 2017 to 2021. In this capacity, he represented men’s and women’s teams from eleven NCAA institutions, ensuring qualification for NCAA Championships and managing event logistics. His leadership in the WWPA underscores his strong organizational and communication skills.
A seasoned educator, Doten was a tenured faculty lecturer at the University of California, Davis from 2001 to 2020, where he taught a variety of courses in sport sociology, aquatics, health and well-being. He was instrumental in developing new curricula to support students from diverse backgrounds and created engaging, culturally responsive learning environments. Doten was recognized with the prestigious University Appreciation Grant for his outstanding service.
As a coach, Doten was recognized as Coach of the Year three times at UC Davis, where he led the men’s water polo program for twelve seasons. He was also key in saving the men’s water polo program at UC Davis in 2010 and played a significant role in fundraising, starting the first endowment in athletics.
Doten’s tenure included coaching the women’s water polo team at UC Berkeley, where he helped establish the program and led the team to three consecutive NCAA Championship appearances.
As a player, Doten spent three seasons at UC Berkeley under legendary head coaches Pete Cutino and Steve Heaston, helping Cal win back-to-back NCAA titles. He graduated with a degree in Sports Sociology and earned his Master’s in Kinesiology and Physical Education from Cal State East Bay. This playing experience, combined with his successful coaching career, has deeply shaped his approach to leadership, emphasizing teamwork, dedication, and student-athlete development.
Doten is committed to fostering an inclusive, student-first environment where all student-athletes have the tools and opportunities to succeed academically and athletically. With a passion for aquatics and a career dedicated to empowering future leaders, Doten is excited to bring his experience and vision to Lake Tahoe Community College.
