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Princeton athletes, coaches stress academics and community service alongside sports
Summary
Students and coaches described how athletics, academics and extracurricular programs intersect at Princeton High School, highlighting AP and IB coursework, volunteer programs and college plans.
Princeton High School student-athletes and coaches described on the radio how the school’s culture encourages participation across athletics, arts and academics and how coaches emphasize citizenship as well as competition.
Geno McGowan, varsity baseball head coach and media paraprofessional, said the program values “outstanding citizens” and monitors academic performance closely: he noted the team’s overall grade-point average was about a 3.6 the last time he checked. “I wanna make sure these guys are outstanding citizens,” McGowan said.
Students recounted the range of activities that shape their high school experience. Charlie Robinel, a baseball player who also spent time in band, said he prefers smaller classes such as calculus with Mr. Tucker because they foster close teacher relationships. Wyatt Shaw, a senior catcher on the baseball team, said he volunteers with younger players and plans to attend Valparaiso University to play baseball and study pre-physician assistant. “My future plan is…Valparaiso University to play baseball and study pre PA,” Shaw said.
Corey Bonner Jr., a junior who plays both baseball and football, described his involvement in an engineering scholarship program at the University of Cincinnati and community volunteer work, including food distribution at his church. Students and coaches repeatedly returned to the theme that athletics is only one part of a broader school culture that offers AP and IB classes, arts, and service opportunities.
Coaches said they deliberately share students across activities; McGowan noted about 10 players in his program also participate in band. That multiplicity of roles drew praise from hosts and guests as evidence of a cohesive school community.
The segment highlighted practical supports: teachers named by students include Mr. Bruning (Honors Anatomy), Ms. Holliday (art), Ms. Gracia (body systems) and AP/IB instructors mentioned by students. Coaches and students urged families and the community to support school programs and attend games and events.
