A change in the program, and an altering of the scheme, led to a region title for a school that had been struggling in athletics. And it brought a new attitude to the school in Golden Valley. The North Valleys boys soccer team beat Galena, 2-0, for the Division I North Region championship two weeks ago and claimed the school’s first region title in any sport. “We did things that brought us closer as a team, as a family, that made us work for each other,” North Valleys coach Eric Martinez said. “We weren't the most skillful team, not the most talented team, but we had the biggest heart. That had the biggest impact on how much success we had this year. We never gave up. We played 100 percent until the whistle blew.”Last year, the school made a pitch to the NIAA about dropping to Division I-A in athletics, citing a lack of success.
Now, the soccer team’s title, along with both the boys and girls basketball teams making the playoffs last season, has the school’s attention. North Valleys athletic director Richard Peraldo said the soccer team’s success has been contagious. “When you’re competing, and you win, it brings an air of confidence around the school,” Peraldo said. “The expectation to win feels greater for other programs. As we move into winter sports, it has a snowball effect. It brings a lot more confidence.” Jim Krajewski, RGJ ( http://www.rgj.com/staff/12439/jim-krajewski).
Notice that after victory, sales of team jersey’s and school pride merchandise goes up!! What does your school uniforms look like? Uniforms are a great way to create a common goal and build pride in your school represented by how you present yourself. The team jersey’s are part of the teams uniform, when majority of the school is wearing those jersey’s they are connecting with the pride expressed from those jersey’s. So you don’t have a sports team or money in the budget to create a sports program, survey your school community and see what else would bring pride. Maybe recruiting community members to assist where the budget falls short would be enough motivation to spark pride in the school and community. Have a design competition and create a look and feel that will bring the family, community and school together. Better yet create a school pride day once a month with a themed goal!! The importance is that you all are coming together to support a common goal and the coming together is the seeds that grow into pride!!
