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Vernonia SD 47J athletic directors report mixed participation trends; girls wrestling grows while football shrinks
Summary
Athletic staff said girls wrestling launched in the district’s first year, increasing overall participation, while football participation fell; staff discussed equipment upgrades, booster fundraising, a possible batting‑cage CTE project and estimated track resurfacing could cost up to about $800,000.
Athletic directors and administrators updated the board on fall sports and upcoming winter schedules, describing mixed participation across programs. They said middle‑school girls wrestling is in its first year and contributed double‑digit new participants, middle‑school volleyball numbers rose from 19 to 25, and girls basketball participation increased. At the same time, football numbers have declined at both middle‑ and high‑school levels.
Directors and the board discussed strategies to boost youth participation—engaging boosters, holding clinics run by high‑school athletes, theme nights and fundraising events such as a proposed chili feed. Staff described exploring grants to repair the baseball field and a possible CTE‑built batting cage. On facilities, a board member asked about resurfacing the track; staff estimated resurfacing costs could reach roughly $800,000 depending on the scope, and said the district should begin planning and budgeting now.
The board praised success stories where athletics improved student engagement and attendance. No formal action was taken, but the discussion highlighted fundraising and long‑term facilities planning as priorities for the coming year.
