Written by Jeff Smith, Athletic Director
In a time when our athletic department strives to be the best, we have implemented several new practices to help connect all the different levels of athletic programs in our community. These bridges are intended to help create an entire athletic program representing our students in grades K-12. Our goal simply stated is we want our elementary aged sports programs and middle school teams to embrace the philosophies, skill sets, and team approach set by our 22 high school programs. We want all these levels to create the "I can't wait to be a Portage Indian" attitude.
One way to build the bridge is to connect the high school athletic programs with the Portage youth programs. In the past two years, we have implemented program skill ladders, coaches clinics, team building training, and sportsmanship seminars for most of the youth programs offered to K-6th graders in Portage. We have met with most of the youth program board of directors to establish a vision for each sport. Our varsity head coaches are asked to communicate their vision of the entire program with youth coaches, middle school coaches, and high school assistant coaches. Several of our high school staffs work side by side with all the lower level coaches to ensure that the proper steps are being taken to develop the student both in the classroom and on the playing fields. The Portage Pop Warner, Porpoise Swimming, Portage Youth Basketball, Elementary Wrestling Club, Elementary Gymnastics, and Portage Soccer Club all use our high school facilities for games or practices. We feel that the relationships being created are only going to get stronger as we continue to look at areas to improve for all parties involved.
The time and effort exerted by our middle school and high school coaches in a day and age when there truly isn't an off-season is incredible. The development of these 6th-8th grade future Indians is critical to our overall success. Our coaching staffs work closely with the middle school staffs in regards to skill development, training techniques, and staff development to continue the growing process. We have also hosted several middle school contests for football, volleyball, swimming, gymnastics, cross-country, basketball, wrestling, track, and soccer at the high school property. This seems to be a highlight for these middle school teams as we also publicly recognized them at some of our varsity contests as well.
Another bridge we have tried to make is a connection with our community. The Portage High School Athletic facilities have recently been upgraded and have been compared to small college facilities by several guests to our campus. We are very proud and thankful for the first class facilities housed at the High School campus. Our community, families, and friends have embraced our Community Center located in the field house. We have several Portage-based travel and AAU teams scheduled for practice time nine months of the year in this facility. We also offer the walking track, family court, and cardio equipment to residents of Portage.
It is critical for all these bridges to continue getting bigger and stronger to ensure the high level of competition for all of our student-athletes. We look forward to the days ahead that will truly make our entire city proud to be Portage Indians.