Carrollwood Day School Welcomes New Athletic Director for the 2026/2027 School Year
Carrollwood Day School is pleased to welcome Kevin Vargas as its new Athletic Director for the 2026/2027 school year, bringing more than 25 years of experience in education and athletic leadership to the Patriot community.
“Kevin is a proven leader who understands how athletics can shape students not only as competitors, but as people,” said CDS Head of School, Sara Rubinstein. “His commitment to building strong programs, mentoring coaches, and supporting student-athletes aligns beautifully with our mission of education with character.”
Vargas’s appointment comes at an exciting time for Carrollwood Day School as the school continues its Investment in Excellence initiative, which includes major enhancements to CDS athletic programs. Recent and upcoming improvements include returfing the Wagner Athletic Complex field and upgrading stadium seating, enhancements designed to elevate the student-athlete experience and support the continued growth of CDS’s competitive athletic programs.
Vargas will join CDS after 16 years of service at the Academy of the Holy Names in Tampa, where he serves as Athletic Director and leads one of the region’s most respected athletic programs. During his tenure, AHN teams have earned 68 district championships, 46 regional championships, five state runner-up finishes, and four state championships across 10 FHSAA programs. Beyond the trophies, Vargas cultivated a culture that emphasized discipline, teamwork, and character development in student-athletes.
At the Academy of the Holy Names, Vargas oversaw 33 middle and high school teams, and supervised more than 40 coaches and athletic staff. He also led significant facility improvements, including the design and construction of new athletic spaces such as a turf softball field and a multipurpose soccer and lacrosse field, while helping advance plans for a $6.5 million health and wellness center.
Vargas' work has consistently focused on building strong partnerships among students, families, faculty, and administrators while creating athletic opportunities that serve the entire school community.
As Carrollwood Day School looks ahead to this next chapter, we express deep gratitude to our current Athletic Director, Barry Chamberlin, who has served faithfully for four years and will be stepping away from the role at the end of this school year. Under his leadership, CDS athletics experienced meaningful growth and success while maintaining a strong focus on sportsmanship and student development.
“We are incredibly thankful for Barry’s leadership and the foundation he has built for our athletic programs,” said Sara Rubinstein. “His dedication to our students and coaches has made a lasting impact on CDS.”
As Vargas prepares to begin his new role, he brings a vision centered on excellence, collaboration, and opportunity for every student-athlete. His leadership marks the start of an exciting new chapter, as Carrollwood Day School continues to strengthen its programs, invest in its facilities, and build a culture where students can compete, grow, and lead with character.