Port Arthur Memorial boys soccer honored at PAISD board meeting

The Port Arthur Independent School District Board of Trustees on April 24 paused its agenda to recognize the Port Arthur Memorial varsity and junior‑varsity boys soccer teams for the 2024–25 season.

Coach Chris Bradford, who teaches U.S. history at the high school and has coached the team for eight years, described the squad’s summer training program and said the team’s success this year grew from offseason work and a new summer program that the coaching staff hopes to extend to middle and elementary grades. "The boys put in the work," Bradford said, and he invited the coaches and players forward so trustees and attendees could see the team and hear brief remarks.

Bradford introduced players by name and role — including returning and new players — and invited the public to a soccer ceremony scheduled for the next evening at 6 p.m. in the high‑school cafeteria. Several trustees and district leaders praised the coaches and players for on‑field performance and off‑field conduct. Principal Small and multiple trustees called the squad a close group that supports teammates through injury and adversity, and praised coaches Bradford and Walton for their work in and out of the classroom.

The board provided no formal action related to athletics at the recognition; later in the meeting trustees approved an athletic director appointment and approved other personnel items during the consent agenda.