Derek grew up on the island of Kauai, playing basketball, baseball, track & field, and chasing chickens! He worked as a director of kids summer camps and helped run his father's store throughout high school. Derek moved to Las Vegas in 1993 and graduated from UNLV with a degree in Elementary Education and a content emphasis in Physical Education. He has been teaching elementary school in both the public and charter school setting for over 22 years.

Tara grew up in Tucson, AZ and enjoyed playing basketball, softball, cross country, track & field, and volleyball. She worked at kids summer camps and a sporting goods store throughout high school. She graduated from NAU with a degree in Elementary Education and a content emphasis in Early Childhood Education. Tara moved to Las Vegas in 2000 and began teaching immediately. She has been teaching elementary school for over 18 years in both the public and charter school setting.

Derek and Tara were married in 2009. They met while teaching and shared in their love for children, sports, and traveling. Their favorite things to do together are golf, travel with their girls, and spend time with their families. They have two beautiful, active daughters: Taylor and Mikaela. Derek coached Taylor throughout elementary, middle, and high school basketball. He continues to coach girls Varsity basketball at a private school in Nevada. Tara also coached softball and basketball with Derek at the recreational level. They both love to see kids "learn life skills through sports" which brought them to Skyhawks and SuperTots in 2018. They are thrilled to share their passion with children and families throughout the Las Vegas valley.