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Coach seeks district approval for junior‑high wrestling co‑op; administration says it is looking into it
Summary
A teacher and wrestling coach urged the board to create a district‑wide junior‑high wrestling co‑op; the superintendent said administrators are exploring the idea and will work toward implementation for the winter season if feasible.
A Springfield High School teacher and volunteer wrestling coach asked the Board of Education on Monday to approve a district‑wide junior‑high wrestling co‑op that would allow students from every district junior high to form a single team.
Sean Kinney, a math teacher and head wrestling coach at Springfield High, said he had spoken with the Illinois Junior High School Association (IJHS A/ISA) and that the association would allow both boys and girls from all district junior highs to participate on one combined team. Kinney told the board local neighboring districts have sanctioned junior high wrestling programs for decades and that several private and nearby public schools currently offer IJH wrestling opportunities that District 186 students do not.
Kinney said community members are prepared to help fund program start‑up costs, including singlets, shoes, warmups and tournament fees, and that organized local fundraising has been effective in past events. “We are willing to pay out of our own wrestling accounts to pay for any expense,” he told the board.
Superintendent Gilt and a board member said administration is already looking into logistics and will move forward on planning if feasible; the superintendent said it is a winter sport and the district would work to have details ready for the season if approved.
No formal vote was taken; the administration said it would follow up with more information to the board.
