Athletics Department

Coach Bemis loves sports and coaching. Mr. Bemis and his wife moved their family here to Sarasota during the summer of 2022. After more than 20 years in the restaurant business, Coach Bemis has made a career shift into education. He has two daughters, Lucy and Gracie, who attend TCA. His wife, Mrs. Bemis, is also a teacher at TCA. His interests are: coaching basketball, studying history, watching sports, reading Christian theology and spending time with his family.

Alex comes from the small town of Pettisville, OH before he and his wife, Tanner, moved to Sarasota in 2018. They have three young girls with the oldest joining TCA for Kindergarten this fall. He earned a bachelor’s degree in middle school education while also competing on the cross cross country and track teams. Alex has taught middle school math and science, served as the head cross country and track coach, and now transitions into overseeing all athletics at TCA.

Geoff McBride has been in education for 18 years, holding a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in Education. He previously worked for the New York City Department of Education teaching at a residential treatment facility for troubled youth with a focus in Algebra, Special Education and Physical Education. Geoff also served as head Varsity basketball coach during his entire teaching tenure at Mercyfirst as well as an assistant on the Varsity basketball staff at St. John the Baptist High School in the CHSAA. Geoff, his wife Aimee and four children Brandon 13, Gavin 11, Beckham 5 and Madelyn 3 relocated from Long Island, NY to Florida last August and have never been happier. They were thrilled to join the TCA community, especially after forming a deep appreciation for the classical education model. Geoff joined the TCA coaching staff as the assistant coach for middle school flag football team and as head coach for middle school basketball team. He thoroughly enjoyed coaching this past year at TCA. Geoff is delighted to join the teaching staff for the 2022-2023 school year teaching Physical Education and Algebra at TCA. He is on staff for TCA’s inaugural varsity tackle football team, head coach for middle school flag football and middle school basketball teams. He looks forward to teaching/coaching this year.

My name is Mallie Shirk. I earned by BS degree in both Biology and Nutrition while playing collegiate soccer. I am a Registered Dietitian and CrossFit Level 1 Coach. My husband John and I have been married 21 years and have been blessed with six children Oakley (16), Baron (14), Scarlett (11), Phoebe (11), Maddox (6), and Steele (3). I love the mountains, the beach, adventures with my kids, a hard workout, and community. 'm so grateful to be part of the TCA Family. My daily prayer is to be a positive and loving mentor to our students, instilling in them the lifetime love of fitness, and learning that they are capable of so much more than they ever have imagined.