Young people learn a great deal from their participation in interscholastic athletics.  Lessons in sportsmanship, teamwork, competition and how to win and lose gracefully are an integral part of each team in our athletic program.  Athletics play an important part, too, in helping the individual student develop a healthy self-concept as well as a healthy body.  Athletic competition adds to our school spirit and helps all students – spectators as well as participants – develop pride in their school and maximize individual potential.

The MDUSD Governing Board recognizes that the district’s athletic program constitutes an integral component of the educational program and helps to build a positive school climate. The athletic program helps also to promote the physical, social, and emotional well-being and character development of participating students. Within the District's financial and personnel constraints, the athletic program shall be designed to meet students' interests and abilities and shall be varied in scope to ensure wide participation.

Participation is a privilege, not entitlement, and student athletes are expected to represent themselves, their team, school, family and community in a manner that demonstrates the highest standard of conduct, academic achievement and commitment to their fellow students.

The Mission of College Park Athletics is to provide a fun, challenging, and safe environment, where students athletes may work hand in hand with the coaching staff to learn and achieve their goals in their sport, classroom and in life.  With input from coaches, teachers, parents, school staff and the community we will build on College Park’s successes of the past as we strive to produce strong young adults who exhibit character, intelligence, and the ability to contribute to our community now and in the future.
 
Our Vision for College Park Athletics is to create quality programs for our student-athletes, with knowledgeable, caring coaches and exceptional facilities.  Our programs will instill pride in our school, respect within our community, and continue our tradition of Courage, Pride, Honor, and Sacrifice.

Swim coach Monty Randall was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer in December of 2018. Since then, Monty's determination has shown everyone how serious he is about overcoming this obstacle.  Monty's parents, Matthew and Diane Randall, are both alternating taking time off work to ensure that Monty is able to get to his appointments, eat a healthy diet, and receives the care he needs.  Please help support Monty by visiting his Go Fund Me page here.

Beat the lines, purchase your tickets for Football and Basketball here.

It Has Been A Year
A year has gone by and looking back, it has exceeded all expectations by far! It seems like a lifetime ago, but last year on January 10 we were mostly concerned with these top three items:
• Breathing
• Talking
• Eating
Thankfully, Ryan has checked those items off his list and is now working hard on the mechanics of walking. As strength and signals return, things just get easier. Perfect? Nope, but improving every day!

What’s Next?
More Therapy! 
Specifically, Ryan is strengthening his glute medes (part of the gluteal muscle family) that will help to flex and rotate the hip, which is a major part of walking. Most days you can see Ryan walking barefoot in the therapy corridors using a variety of walking aids including platform walkers, regular walkers and even using a shopping cart some days for stability. Each method challenges him in a different way, and his therapists use a variety of methods to assist with getting each step right. Some days he might be walking with electrical stimulation to give his muscles cues or he may have just had a “dry needling” session to relieve/reduce muscle tension/tone in his legs or core to get a better response to therapy. Ryan is also working on finger flexibility and getting his hands and fingers to work better. He has some movement, but more movement is always helpful. All the little improvements lead to the larger ones. In addition to the physical aspects of this injury, we have learned that attitude is everything, and Ryan remains positive, hopeful and strong.

School! 
Ryan starts school at Engelwood High School today. MDUSD was not able to keep him on the books to continue his classes through College Park, so Ryan is enrolled at Engelwood HS and will participate in classes while still in therapy. We are very optimistic, the Engelwood team has been very welcoming, creative and flexible in their approach to his education and we are looking forward to a great first day. He will physically attend school for Honors Chemistry and Honors Algebra II and then coordinate with his Engelwood and Craig teachers for English and AP American History. It is a packed schedule for sure, but he is determined to keep up with school.

Home? 
We don’t have a specific date in mind yet to come home. We have been gauging home on Ryan’s progress, and as he has continued to move forward, our date to come home has been extended. We have been told that the first year or two are the most critical in terms of rehabilitation as the body heals and signals are regained. We have a unique opportunity to be at the one of the best spinal rehabilitation facilities in the country and we are taking full advantage of what they have to offer.

Thank you!
This year we have been the recipients of great kindness, support and love both large and small, and ALL very much appreciated. It can be easy to feel disconnected from things at home since we are away, but we have a very dedicated group of people who have made sure that does not happen, and we can’t thank you enough for that. Ryan has never been a big social media guy, and the accident has not changed that. He reads all the messages and appreciates them very much.

We are looking forward to another great year of progress!
Love, The Joseph Family
Kristin, Tom, Ryan & Haley

H
ere are a few more links:
https://www.dropbox.com/…/VID_20190109_163812085%20%281%29.…

https://www.dropbox.com/s/4lvtt…/VID_20190108_134228994.mp4…

https://www.dropbox.com/s/mk8g93…/2019-01-08%2013.51.44.jpg…