Jerry Don Bray, Athletic Director for Chickasha Public Schools, updated Rotary on various winter sports at the high school.The December 8, 2022 meeting of the Rotary Club of Chickasha was called to order by President Lewis Knisley. Rot. Mitch Williams led the club in singing "Let it Snow".
Two new members were inducted at the meeting: Shawn Freie, proposed by Rot. Tim Elliott, and Delaney Fitch, proposed by Pres. Knisley.
New members Shawn Freie (left picture) and Delaney Fitch (right picture, left) introduce themselves to Rotary.
Jim Cowan, standing in for Rotarian of the Day John Holt, introduced the speaker, Jerry Don Bray. Bray is the Athletic Director at Chickasha Public Schools.
Bray started by recognizing the semester's successes. CHS had four All-State athletes, in pom, volleyball, and softball. The swim, wrestling, and basketball seasons are currently underway. The CHS wrestling team is ranked #4 in the state. The swim team has grown to 15 athletes this year. Bray stressed that the swim team was only possible through the school's partnership with Science & Arts.
Asked about the bond improvements approved this year, Bray said that work had not yet started. CHS was meeting weekly with contractors to work out the logistics of each project.
Another member asked if Bray could comment on the economic impact of CHS sports throughout the year. Bray explained that visiting sports teams do play a big role. Chickasha hosts tournaments in softball, volleyball, basketball, and soccer every year for its class. In addition, Chickasha hosts area-level tournaments for small schools.
Bray also fielded some questions regarding "less traditional" sports. Last year, school resource officers helped organize a trap shooting team. While many shooting competitions are affiliated with 4-H and school have the option to participate, they have mostly participated in non-4-H events. CHS does have "esports" as well. Bray stressed that esports does not compete with physical sports, and that any extracurricular activity has been shown to correlate to improved grades.
The boys' basketball team has a new coach in James Hall, who is a 2005 CHS graduate. Bray described Hall as "very organized, very passionate". He also mentioned girls' basketball coach Jace Johnson and baseball coach Kevin James. Bray pointed out that while each coach may have different standards for their players, "the energy is the same" from all of them.
Catering provided by Chicken Express.