Mark Marsala
Director of Athletic Operations
Mark.Marsala@sunshinestateathletics.com

Mark comes to the SSAA with over 32 years of athletic coaching and administration experience at the high school level in Florida.

Mark served as the Athletic Director at the Seacrest Country Day School in Naples Florida, as well as at St. John Neumann High School and South Fort Myers High School over the past 26 years. Along with his experience as an Athletic Director, he brings extensive experience in the high school athletic association area. Mark served with the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) as President of the Board of Directors (2015-2017), as well as, the Chairman of Operations for the Board of Directors, a Board of Directors Member, a Section Appeals Committee Member, a Representative Assembly Member, and a Sports Medicine Advisory Committee Member. Mark also has served with the Florida Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (FIAAA) and as the President of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference. 

Mark graduated from Kean University with a Bachelors in Management Science and from Nova Southeastern with a Masters in Physical Education. He is married to his wife Jennifer and has 3 children, Mark, Meghan, and Marissa, as well as grandson, Lorenzo.  

Stephanie Martin
Sports Administrator (Indoor Volleyball, Beach volleyball,  Soccer, New Members)
Steph@sunshinestateathletics.com

Stephanie recently retired from Fort Myers High School where she was a Physical Education Teacher and Varsity Head Volleyball coach for 27 years. She led her team to 5 State Runner -Ups and 4 Final Fours, compiling 695 wins. She has 31 years of teaching and coaching experience at the high school level. Stephanie,  also was a Graduate Assistant at FIU for a season working with the Volleyball Team. She played collegiate volleyball at Stetson University (1984-88 as a setter). Currently she is coaching club Volleyball with Florida Gulfside Volleyball Academy in Naples, Florida.

During her time at Fort Myers, she sat on the FHSAA Volleyball Advisory Board, Florida Athletic Coaches Association State Chair for seven years and Local Chair for more than 20 years. She was inducted into the Florida Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame and recently Inducted into the Lee County Athletic Conference Hall of Fame. 

Stephanie is married to Greg Martin and has two beautiful Children daughter Kirby and son Clay.  “ I am looking forward to working with SSAA. I have always enjoyed working with student athletes, building relationships and being able to give back to the sport I have so much passion for.”

Gage Brown
Sports Administrator (Football, Softball, Baseball)
Gage@sunshinestateathletics.com

Gage Brown comes to the SSAA with 6 years of experience working with Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the past 3 in Port St Lucie, FL. He has coached baseball, basketball, soccer, and tennis at all levels from recreational leagues to high school competitions. He is excited to see the SSAA continue to grow and build relationships with the schools, coaches, and athletes in the State of Florida! 

Gage graduated from Union University with a B.A. in Christian Studies with a minor in athletic coaching and is joined in Florida with his wife, Megan, and their 6 kids!

Carlos Merced Cruz
Sports Administrator (Cross Country, Golf, Girls Basketball, eSports)
Carlos@sunshinestateathletics.com

Carlos Merced Cruz arrives at SSAA with 5 years of high school basketball coaching experience; currently for the past 4 years at Windermere Prep (FL), and previously with Providence School of Jacksonville. He was born and raised in Puerto Rico and has lived in Florida since 2012. As the newest staff member joining SSAA, Carlos is excited to help grow the conference and work on cross country, golf, basketball, and track & field. Sports have always been a major part of his life and he sees working at SSAA as an opportunity of a lifetime.

Carlos graduated from Jacksonville University with a B.B.A in Sport Business and a minor in Spanish, and a M.S in Sport Management.

Annika Uhren
Sports Media & Administrative Specialist
annika@sunshinestateathletics.com

Annika Uhren became acquainted with the SSAA while growing up in West Palm Beach, Florida. She developed a connection to the Association through seven years of competitive sports at an SSAA member school. During her time in West Palm Beach, Annika managed the digital media accounts of local businesses, fostering her passion for digital media management. This experience led her to her current pursuit of a marketing and digital design degree at Florida State University.

In addition to being an avid Seminoles fan, Annika enjoys country music concerts, cooking, and immersing in the local sports scene. She is excited to enhance the SSAA’s online presence and celebrate the achievements of its schools and athletes.

Sunshine State Athletic Association | P.O Box 1881, Valrico, Florida 33595 | info@sunshinestateathletics.com