You can teach nearly every high school subject effectively with a textbook and a chalkboard, and the only reason we don’t is because education companies figured out they could milk districts out of millions of dollars by convincing them otherwise.
Track & field is one of the last places in a school where the football captain, the valedictorian, the band kid, the wrestler, and the quiet kid who never thought he belonged can all wear the same jersey.
Track does not care what a kid’s last name is, how much money he has, what side of town he lives on, or how popular he is. Out here, none of that matters. Somewhere between the workouts, the bus rides, and the meets, kids who might never have spoken to each other start to build real respect.
It is hard not to respect somebody when you have seen what they are willing to push through and how much they are willing to give.
That is a big reason track & field will always mean more to me than just times, marks, and points.
Many of the greatest teachers will never win prestigious awards, amass wealth, or become famous.
They simply show up every day, ignite minds, and change lives—one lesson at a time.
Their impact is quiet, but profound.
“Banners hang in gyms and rings collect dust. But who you become and who you impact you get to keep forever,” Cori Close
Your character defines winning.
AGWSR Boys track ran at the IATC Indoor Championships on 3/13/2026. Four Cougars were selected to compete in the criteria selected meet. Shot Put: Starr 10th, High Jump: Buseman 13th, 60 M Hurdles: Hofmeister 35th, and Long Jump: Hoodjer 22nd.
As a young college coach I thought I was pretty sharp and once asked the HC if I could call a few plays during a blowout (looking back, I’m embarrassed I asked). His response is something I’ve never forgotten:
“The one who experiences the consequences should make the decisions.”