In the five years since Fields & Futures was created to help grow student participation in sports for Oklahoma City Public Schools, we’ve learned a lot about what inspires a kid to step forward and join a team. A caring, committed coach. A sense of belonging. The spirit of fun and adventure. Cool gear. The chance to see and learn new things. Because someone said, “We need you.” Chances are, it’s different for everyone.
When asking about the roster size and status of OKCPS track and cross country earlier this year, Shellie and Don Greiner, track enthusiasts and long time supporters of Fields & Futures, saw an under-developed sport and, more importantly, saw what it could become. Their response? “We want to help.”
With the start of the 2017-2018 school year, the Simon Greiner Track & Field Program was established and three OKCPS high school programs joined a pilot program to prove once again if we build it, they will come. Pilot schools include John Marshall High School, Northwest Classen High School and U.S. Grant High School. Under the leadership of Coach Gardner, Coach Hubbard and Coach McCoy, respectively, we look forward to seeing where things grow from here!
