Star Valley Middle School Activities Director Jake Rich, boys soccer coach Kyle Roniger and girls soccer coach Adam Isaacson all stepped into the SVI Radio Studio during First Bank of Wyoming Sports Friday to recap the inaugural season of middle school soccer in Star Valley.

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(0:17) Duke and Dow with you today for First Bank of Wyoming Sports Friday (0:19) and joined with Star Valley Middle School Soccer Activities (0:23) Director Jake Rich in studio today, along with Star Valley Middle School (0:26) Soccer coaches Kyle Roniger and Adam Isaacson, all in studio as well. (0:31) Gentlemen, good morning. How are you doing today? (0:34) Good morning.

We’re doing great morning. (0:36) Thanks for having us. Thank you so much.

(0:38) Jake, I want to start with you. (0:40) This this whole process kind of started a while ago. (0:43) I I happen to be one of the ones that cover school board.

(0:46) And so I saw the presentation that you you made to the school board, (0:50) but kind of talk about the process of the discussion of, hey, (0:54) let’s implement a middle school soccer program for the area. (0:58) Kind of how did that come about? (1:00) Yeah, so great question. (1:03) In meeting with some of my colleagues through Southwest Wyoming, (1:07) when we get together and meet, we saw a need for middle school soccer (1:11) in order to help feed our high school programs and help our kids (1:14) get some touches with the soccer ball with that.

(1:17) And so in doing that, (1:20) a lot of schools kind of didn’t see the need or didn’t want to do it. (1:23) So it turned into a little bit of which schools wanted it (1:26) and which schools didn’t. (1:28) And so through that process, four of the bigger schools in Southwest (1:32) Wyoming came together with Rock Springs, Green River, Evanston (1:35) and ourselves to create an opportunity for kids.

(1:38) And so we got our school boards backing on that and began to move forward (1:44) and created an opportunity that I think the kids had a great experience. (1:48) And we’re hopeful that we can continue to grow that program in the future. (1:51) So once you get approval and you think, OK, we’re playing soccer, then what? (1:57) I mean, you’ve got to get uniforms and equipment and all that stuff.

(2:00) What does it take to to build and create a program from scratch? (2:04) Yeah. Then the stress sets in. (2:06) That’s what I’d say with that.

(2:08) Making sure that you don’t forget all the little details (2:10) and not being a great soccer mind. (2:12) Luckily, we had a couple of really good coaches here to my side (2:15) that are soccer minds that could help out with that process. (2:19) But it started with the schedule, getting the schedule put together.

(2:23) Wyoming is not always the friendliest in the spring, (2:25) but we had some pretty good days to play soccer this year, which was great. (2:29) And then aligning our schedule to fit on the high school fields (2:33) with the grass fields. (2:34) It’s not the best situation at the middle school for soccer.

(2:37) So the high school is gracious enough to let us use their facilities a few days. (2:42) And so that worked out great. (2:44) And then, yeah, the uniforms and then all the practice stuff (2:47) that you want to give kids better touches (2:50) everywhere from uniforms, core down to cones.

(2:52) So and everything in between. (2:53) But it was good, Adam. (2:55) I want to I want to talk to you.

(2:56) So we’ll get that mic real close to you here. (2:59) But Mr. (3:00) Rich talked about, you know, starting from scratch. (3:03) You’ve done this before.

(3:04) You were here when the high school started. (3:07) It’s been 20 seasons not to make any of us feel old, (3:10) but it’s been 20 seasons since that got started. (3:13) Kind of talk about the parallels (3:15) and how you’ve been able to maybe see the full circle moment (3:19) and how you feel like this will potentially and hopefully positively (3:24) impact the game for for kids in the area.

(3:27) Oh, yeah. So it’s 22 seasons, actually. (3:29) Right.

So 2005 was our first season. (3:32) And and I had the opportunity to start it with the boys program (3:34) and as a JV coach there. (3:36) But yeah, the the the creation of a program is difficult.

(3:42) I mean, you know, you’re you’re trying to build a program. (3:44) You’re you’re begging kids to play. (3:45) You’re hoping that athletes will show up and and and then taking everybody (3:49) that will show up and and trying to build them into a program.

(3:52) And and that’s been the that’s been a challenge for sure. (3:56) Twenty two years ago, we had. (3:59) We just hope kids would show up.

(4:00) We didn’t at least at least now we have we’ve had some good club programs (4:04) that have been going at the Star Valley Soccer Club, the the afternoon soccer, (4:08) the thing you soccer and those programs have really helped. (4:10) But but to have middle school soccer has been a dream of mine of (4:14) I think of a lot of people in the communities for a long, long time. (4:17) And with that and bringing that to fruition has been a great blessing (4:23) as far as allowing kids to play, seeing other teams, other programs and (4:30) and and just allowing them to to see soccer.

(4:35) You know, it’s city soccer is always fun. (4:38) But but to to be at a more competitive level and that sort of thing. (4:41) And so, yeah, I just hope we can continue doing it and having a good time (4:45) and and getting kids involved.

(4:47) It’s been it’s been a lot of fun. (4:49) So you talk about trying to get the kids involved and to come out and everything. (4:52) So how would you rate the first season at Star Valley Middle School? (4:55) What was the participation like and how did things go? (4:58) You know, we had I think there were a few more boys that came out (5:01) than there were girls, but but we had a fair number of players.

(5:04) And it was we you know, we had we had enough kids (5:08) that we didn’t have to mix teams at all. (5:09) Some of the teams we played had to combine seventh and eighth (5:11) to to make teams happen. (5:13) But we had we had a fair number of girls come out for both seventh (5:16) and eighth grade, and it was a lot of fun.

(5:18) I mean, you know, we just had the girls learn. (5:21) They they grew the the program is I think it’s just going to be (5:25) a major support for the high school program. (5:27) And we’re going to see a lot of growth these next few years.

(5:29) Kyle, let’s get you on here a little bit. (5:32) And one of the I’m only hearing this just kind of, (5:36) you know, conversationally, but the phrase losing their minds (5:41) for soccer was mentioned to me a couple of times. (5:44) Maybe describe some of the some of the excitement level (5:48) that you’ve been able to witness here this first season.

(5:50) Yeah, I remember watching the school board meeting when Mr. (5:53) Rich and some of the middle school kids, I think, was Dawson Probst (5:56) that came and presented to the school board about middle school soccer. (6:00) And you could just feel the excitement and the anticipation. (6:03) And then when it got when it got approved (6:06) and they reached out for for interviews for coaches.

(6:09) And I remember when I got the coaching position and being in the middle school (6:13) and just feeling the excitement, walking through the halls (6:16) and all of these kids being like, hey, coach, hey, coach, (6:19) that I hadn’t even met yet that knew what was about to happen. (6:23) And like Adam referred to, we had a decent amount of turnout on the boys side. (6:28) We had about 23 eighth graders show up and about 31 seventh graders show up.

(6:35) That’s a large amount of kids in two grades. (6:38) That’s about what we see at the high school over four grades. (6:41) So you could just you could you could feel that they were excited (6:45) to have a new opportunity to play soccer, to represent the Warriors in a different way.

(6:50) So it was fun walking around the middle school, being around these kids (6:54) who who really were losing their minds for for soccer. (6:58) Kyle, you and Adam have both coached at the high school level now (7:01) and now coaching in middle school. (7:02) And Adam kind of alluded to the growing culture of soccer (7:05) in Star Valley with the Star Valley Soccer Club and the youth programs.

(7:09) And I’ll start with the middle school. (7:10) Talk to us about what that means for a high school program to I mean, (7:15) you go back 22 years when it first started and we had kindergarten (7:18) soccer was about it right at the town level. (7:21) And now you have this all the way from K through through senior.

(7:24) You can play competitive soccer. (7:25) What does that mean for the program as a whole, (7:28) especially when they get to the varsity level? (7:30) Yeah, that’s huge. (7:31) My wife grew up here and she always she told me when we got married (7:34) that she thought soccer was a PE sport.

(7:36) She didn’t know was a real sport. (7:37) And I kind of laughed. (7:38) I’m like, that’s the sentiment, right? (7:40) I didn’t grow up in that area.

(7:42) So even at the high school, (7:43) we talked multiple years about a middle school program coming in. (7:46) We just knew how big that would be. (7:49) Mr. Rich talked about it.

(7:51) The biggest disadvantage or gap that I see with soccer (7:55) in Star Valley is touches and exposure. (7:57) That’s the difference between Star Valley (8:00) and every other high school that has soccer. (8:03) They have so much exposure.

(8:04) So adding a middle school program is just something we haven’t seen before, (8:08) even with adding a soccer club or having Afton and Thane Town Rec. (8:13) I told these boys on my side, I said, (8:15) you’re playing more soccer in the spring than you ever have. (8:18) That’s daily practice.

(8:20) It’s weekly games. (8:21) It’s it’s spending hours getting touches. (8:24) And and that that’s huge that (8:27) that will make a gigantic difference to high school, (8:31) even putting on a warrior uniform, stepping out on a field, (8:35) lining up with your teammates, having referees going against these schools (8:38) that you’re going to see through high school.

(8:40) It now kind of gets those nerves off. (8:42) Let’s go out and focus on playing soccer, which is just another level (8:47) that will add to the success of soccer at the high school. (8:50) Jake, one of the things I want to ask is, you know, we say things (8:54) like opportunities for kids, but it really is a chance for for kids (9:00) to throw themselves into something or at least dip their toe, (9:05) maybe, but they weren’t necessarily sure about.

(9:08) And then maybe they find out that they love it. (9:10) Talk about maybe what you’ve seen from your perspective in that regard. (9:15) Yeah, we see it all the time through the middle school (9:18) that a kid will try a sport and they realize, wow, (9:22) I absolutely love that sport.

(9:24) We’ve seen that a lot with girls wrestling over the last few years. (9:28) And then to see that come to fruition with soccer as well this year, (9:31) kids that probably wouldn’t have even tried soccer in high school. (9:34) It seems like in middle school, they’re a little more daring to try more things.

(9:38) And so opening that door for them was just great to see. (9:41) And the other part that I love about that is kids that wouldn’t have participated (9:45) in a spring sport ended up participating in a sport. (9:48) And the data shows us that kids that participate (9:52) statistically are a lot better off academically.

(9:56) And that’s our huge focus at the school is our academics (9:58) and to be able to create something that helps kids stay dialed in (10:02) through the spring months that can sometimes be hard (10:05) through athletics was just a great opportunity. (10:08) Jake, and I’m glad you kind of alluded to the to the academic side of it, (10:12) because we talked about how you had some students participate (10:15) in the process with you. (10:16) And of course, as an activities director right now, (10:18) but soon to be principal at Star Valley Middle School, (10:21) that had to be a great opportunity off the field and outside of soccer (10:26) just to have kids participate and go through that process (10:29) and see what it was like to be part of it.

(10:32) Yeah, absolutely. (10:33) I even had one of my own kids participate in that (10:37) in soccer this year and so grateful for that opportunity. (10:40) And I notice even with my own kids, I can talk about their grades a little bit.

(10:43) They stay at a higher level. (10:45) Also, their attendance at school stays at a higher level. (10:48) So as the future principal, as you bring that up, (10:51) anytime we can get kids involved in no matter what it is, (10:54) whether that’s the arts or the athletics or whatever, (10:58) they show up and they do a better job because they’re connected to a program.

(11:02) Adam, I want to bring you back on just a second. (11:04) I mentioned this to you. (11:06) I don’t know how many weeks or months ago.

(11:08) As I said, you deserved a special award for for toting Star Valley (11:13) soccer water over the years with your involvement. (11:16) And I guess I want to ask you, what do you feel like is next? (11:19) What is what do you feel like are some areas that still need attention (11:23) and in a positive way, but some things that you’d like to see happen (11:27) maybe in the next, you know, five to 10 years? (11:31) Well, I mean, if I can just mention all my dreams, you know, (11:34) turf fields at the middle school and indoor stadiums, things like that, (11:38) where we can play 12 months out of the year. (11:40) Those are those are things that we would love to see, love to have.

(11:43) But no, I just see as we as we continue to grow Star Valley soccer, (11:46) as we get more experience with coaches, we have we have some (11:50) hopefully be able to build coaches to to move up to the next level. (11:52) You know, we we talk about preparing our kids for the next level, (11:56) preparing our coaches for the next levels and and trying to build the program and (11:59) and increase our abilities as as coaches to be able to help the kids succeed more. (12:04) You know, a lot of the other schools, they get to travel an hour or two (12:07) to to play in competitive soccer, and (12:11) that’s close for us an hour or two, you know, and for for for us, (12:14) a typical trip is is three to four hours a lot of times.

(12:18) And and and so as we build this program, as we as it continues to grow, (12:22) it just I think we’re just going to see the competition levels increase (12:25) and and see kids that that. (12:29) Don’t just show up because they’re athletic, (12:31) but because they see a soccer field as a place to grow and (12:33) and to to become who they really want to become. (12:37) Well said.

And Kyle, maybe we’ll just wrap it up with this. (12:39) As you have a new batch of sixth graders that are getting ready (12:42) to head into the middle school this upcoming school year. (12:45) Why should students at Starvati Middle School consider playing soccer (12:48) for the Warriors? Great question.

(12:52) I will I will answer it with how I talk to all of the boys (12:56) that I coached at the middle school. (12:57) I shared this at the high school. I coach some other places.

(13:02) I I personally love soccer. (13:04) Soccer fills my entire heart with joy. (13:08) Win or lose.

Right. (13:10) I mean, so I want to share that same joy (13:14) and something that I love with with these kids and help them experience (13:18) something that maybe they haven’t experienced before. (13:20) Maybe they haven’t played soccer (13:21) because they haven’t had the opportunity to play in town soccer or club soccer.

(13:26) I I love the the challenge to take something new (13:31) and help somebody else find love for it that I have. (13:35) They get to come out and spend some decent time and decent weather this year. (13:40) Hopefully, hopefully we can have another great spring for soccer.

(13:44) I mean, we played on clear fields the entire season. (13:47) That’s never happened before. (13:48) But to come out, enjoy some camaraderie with friends, learn some new things, (13:52) get some running in with with purpose, score some goals and and have some fun.

(13:57) Well, that’s Starvati Middle School activities. (14:00) Director Jake Rich joined with middle school soccer coaches (14:03) Kyle Roniger and Adam Isaacson this morning. (14:05) It’s first Bank of Wyoming Sports Friday on the weekday.

(14:07) Wake up, you guys. (14:08) Thank you so much for your time today. Really appreciate it.

(14:10) Thanks for having us. Thank you.