For the 2026–2027 school year, the Athletics Department will expand its leadership structure to better support UPrep’s 58-plus teams, 95-plus coaches, and 75 percent of students who participate in our 6–12 program. Current Coach and Middle School P.E. Teacher Niki Harris will step into a new role as assistant director of athletics. She will join Director of Athletics Rebecca Moe and Associate Director of Athletics Jonathan Kim to lead our educational-based athletics programming.

In her role, Niki will oversee the day-to-day operations of our Middle School programming and the Puma League. Jonathan will lead the daily operations of our Upper School programming. Rebecca will continue to provide strategic leadership for the department, focusing on coach hiring and evaluation, professional development, facility outreach, and strengthening partnerships across campus and Seattle.

“I have always said that UPrep athletics is a team sport, and we welcome Niki to the team,” said Rebecca. “I am excited about the year ahead and the opportunities to strengthen our community and build Puma pride through our Athletics Program.”

Both Jonathan and Niki have supported UPrep athletes for years. Eleventh grader and varsity soccer player Jack H. said he appreciates Niki, the team’s assistant coach, because she makes everything more enjoyable. “Every practice, game, and team meeting, she is always there with a smile on her face, cheering everybody up, and bringing the energy that we need to succeed,” said Jack. “She also brings a fresh point of view, which allows for a very dynamic coaching duo [with Coach Nate Whitney] that can accomplish a lot together.”

Tenth grader and varsity volleyball player Olivia F. said Jonathan, the team’s assistant coach, brings palpable energy to every team huddle, finding ways to motivate the team in moments of adversity. "His blend of satirical humor and kind yet stern coaching makes him not only an incredible coach, but also a relatable role model,” she said. “Jonny never misses an opportunity to say hi and catch up in the halls, bringing his sense of community off the court as well.”

Below, Jonathan and Niki tell us more about themselves, the changes ahead, and what they love about working at UPrep.

Jonathan, how will your role change next year?

Jonathan: For the past five years, I’ve served as the associate athletic director, where my primary focus has been the engine of our Middle School program. My day-to-day involved everything from operations and management of our coaching staff to the complex logistics of practice fields, gym space, and schedule coordination. I’m particularly proud of helping to create and launch the Puma League, which formalized our competitive and recreational sport culture for younger athletes.

In my new role, my focus will shift significantly toward Upper School athletics. While I’ll still be rooted in the Athletics Department, I’ll be handling the day-to-day operations and logistics of our high school athletes, coaches, and teams. I’ll be moving into a space where I’m focused on our varsity and sub-varsity programs, facility management, and preparing student-athletes for the high-school sports season.

Niki, why are you excited about this career change?

Niki: I’m excited about a change of pace. I’ve been teaching for 10 years, and I started teaching Middle School P.E. here four years ago. Before that I worked internationally, spending two years in Thailand and three in the Philippines. I’ve also been coaching the whole time. I’m excited to learn from Moe and Jonathan. I love working with Middle School students because if they have a good experience playing sports, they keep playing as they get older. If they don’t, they stop playing, especially girls. I look forward to ensuring that our students have amazing athletic experiences in Middle School.

What do you both love about coaching that will inform your leadership in the department?

Niki: I like seeing the kids in a different context—as athletes. They want to play sports and their motivation is high. There’s an opportunity to help mold them as they experience failure and bumps in the road. Sports are such a good metaphor for life, and you can walk with them through the ups and downs.

Jonathan: I agree. I love seeing them in this context as competitors. What they learn from sports is something you can’t learn in a classroom. If a group of people come together around a common goal, physically work together, and see their goal come to fruition, there is so much learning. It’s not only about winning, it’s also about understanding the grind and moving through the season as a team.

What do you both love about working at UPrep?

Jonathan: I love the people here. I genuinely enjoy coming to work every day.

Niki: I appreciate the backing from the administration and working at a place that supports faculty and staff.

Jonathan: We get so much support from other faculty and staff and from students and families, too.  

Niki: Other coaches show up to watch our games, too!

Jonathan: And our students give 110 percent.

Niki: I’m so glad that our students really enjoy playing sports at UPrep.

Jonathan: It makes me feel good that the students take pride in playing for their school.

Is there anything that you want families to know about playing sports?

Niki: I like to remind people that it’s ok and good to do sports just for the sake of doing them. It’s the one time in their day that students are not being graded. I think that’s also why the Middle School Puma League has been so great.  Students want to be active and to play sports with their friends because it’s fun.  There doesn’t need to be an end goal other than pure enjoyment or trying something new. 

Jonathan: I think it’s exciting that students are given an opportunity to participate in sports because they learn so much from it.

What sports do you love to play? And what sports do you love to watch?

Niki: I love to play volleyball. I love that it’s noncontact and there is not a lot of running and that it’s social. I love watching soccer. When you understand the game, it’s so great to watch it. My dad was a soccer coach, my brother played, and my husband is an assistant coach for the Sounders B team, the Tacoma Defiance. 

Niki, did you play soccer?

Niki: I was a gymnast and then I played soccer in high school. I did track in college; I did the 400-meter hurdles at the University of Washington.

Jonathan, what about you?

Jonathan: My favorite sport to play is golf because I get to be outside and be with my friends. I can also be competitive with myself—I can always work to get better. I love watching basketball. I played it in high school, I helped coach as an undergrad at Washington State University, and I also coached at Western Washington University.

Niki: I love watching all sports.

Jonathan: Me too.

What do you both like to do to unwind?

Niki: Outside of work, I’m sustaining life! Our daughter, Valentina, is one.  

Jonathan: I love traveling. I also love going to check out new restaurants. My current favorite is Take 5 Deli in Ballard. I love their BLAT.

See the day-to-day athletic action on the UPrep Athletics Instagram account.