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In 1986, a ninth grader at Charles Wright Academy (CWA) wrote down 14 things he wanted to accomplish during the four years ahead of him as a high school Tarrier. By 1990, he achieved everything on that list including making the honor roll, Winter State Championship, and graduating among the top 15 in his class. Eighteen years later, Trevor Moawad ’90 still keeps that list in his office while he works as a Mental Conditioning Coach and veteran of the sports business preparing world-class athletes such as Tiger Woods, Cam Newton, and Russell Wilson for their own success on the field.

He reflects on his years at Charles Wright as some of the most powerful drivers in his life. 

“Whatever degree of success that I’ve been able to (accomplish), none of it would be possible without the teachers, challenges, trips, coaches, all of the people (at CWA),” says Moawad. 

While his years at CWA were influential, they were not traditional. 

“Charles Wright fundamentally had a lot of people with high intellectual aptitude. That path was not going to be one for me,” he recalls. “While Charles Wright valued traditional intelligence, it also really valued non-traditional intelligence. I can’t tell you how important that is to have people who were willing to support those characteristics in me.” 

Trevor explains his competitiveness and relentlessness are non-traditional values, both of which were cultivated during his experience at CWA.

“My willingness to take five hours to do an assignment that might take a classmate of mine 15 minutes — those were things that were nurtured at a very high level for me by the teachers.” 

Trevor remembers pivotal moments with faculty and staff in his years at CWA, which brought to life his passion for inspiring others and his dedication to working as a mental conditioning coach today. 

“I think it was Mrs. Vest for me, the first time I had to get up in front of people and present and talk. I really enjoyed that, and thought to myself I might be good at this,” he recalls. “I also went to the Dome every morning at 6 a.m. to shoot 1,000 shots with P.E. teacher Larry Berg. I wasn’t going to the NBA, yet he would meet me every morning.”

Trevor went on to play basketball for Pacific Lutheran University and soccer at Occidental College earning a degree in education. Trevor now runs his own consulting group in Arizona, Moawad Consulting, and has worked alongside the best in the athletic business during the last decade. 

“You find out in life that attitudes are contagious, and when you’re surrounded by great people, they lift you up. Success isn’t possible without the teachers, the trips, the challenges, the students, without the coaches — all of these people at Charles Wright. It was such a safe and nurturing environment. And I’m just very grateful.”

Trevor visited Charles Wright in April to be recognized as our 2018 Alum of the Year on Founders’ Day. During his visit, he spoke to the next generation of graduating Tarriers reminding them that they can always strive to be better. He reminded us all that challenges and doubts, no matter how insurmountable they seem, can be overcome with a commitment to care and belief in ourselves. 

“It takes what it takes,” he shared with Tarriers. “Doubt was a huge motivator for me. I wasn’t afraid of it.” 

We extend our deepest gratitude to Trevor for sharing his stories with us, and congratulate him on his award.