Red Cloud Elementary adds soccer and softball programs to roster of athletic teams

posted on March 25, 2011

Students who attend Red Cloud Elementary School now have more sports to participate in. The athletic program is now forming teams in softball and soccer.

“We hope to be able to offer as many programs as we can to enable our students to have fun and continue to be active,” says Jennifer Sierra, principal. “Softball and soccer are wonderful options for our students to participate in.”

Students in grades 3-4 will begin practicing for soccer on Monday, March 28, under the leadership of new head coach Tyler Bruns. Bruns is also the health and physical education teacher at Red Cloud Elementary. He says that the upcoming soccer season already looks promising.

“There is some great potential here,” says Bruns, who is a former player for Azusa Pacific University in California.

This will be the first time in five years the elementary school on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation has offered soccer. Practices will be on Monday and Wednesday nights, with games scheduled for Saturday.

Red Cloud volunteer and teacher aid Jacob Franks have established a co-ed softball teams for students in grades 5-6.

“When I went to school here, I always wanted options for sports in the spring besides track,” says Franks, a 2009 graduate of Red Cloud High School. “Softball is something that a lot of people around here love to play during the summer. I’m sure these kids will love the chance to play.”

Franks says he believes that softball helps with the learning and development of children, particularly with motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

Softball practice will begin March 25 right after school. The softball teams will play against some of the best teams on the reservation throughout the spring, with a full schedule currently being finalized.

All students and families are invited and encouraged to come out and support the young athletes. Schedules will be posted as they become available.