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.

We would like to announce our current partnership with the Walnut Creek Half Marathon, Relay, 10k and 5k race on December 8th.  Race coordinator Darryll Whaley has agreed to contribute funds form the race towards Ryan's recovery efforts.  Darryll is also the longtime wrestling  coach at Berean Christian in Walnut Creek.

When registering for this years event you are given the option to select "Running for Ryan".  If selected 40% of your race entry will be donated to Ryan's recovery find.  This is a great opportunity to compete in a well run and fun event while at the same time helping the Joseph family.

Ryan is still at Craig Hospital in Colorado and intends to continue there as long as he shows progress.  He currently has walked 400 yards with the aid of a walker and made many other strides towards independent living.   He is keeping up with his school work with support from Craig and teachers from College Park.

I hope you participate in this years event and "Run For Ryan"!

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.

Beat the lines!  Purchase your game tickets at the link below.

Update - September 3, 2018 - From Team Joseph

Still Working Hard in Colorado!

Ryan missed the start of school, but he is still working hard 5 days a week at Craig Hospital in Colorado.  He has been participating in the NeuroRecovery Network (NRN) founded by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. The program has two parts: physical therapy using a treadmill, harness, walker and therapy mats focused on walking and mobility, and occupational therapy using electrical stimulation and adaptive tools to activate nerves in his back, arms and hands and improve his functional independence. Ryan was originally scheduled for 60 sessions of NRN, but he is making such great progress that he was extended to 80 sessions ending mid-September.

Many people saw Ryan’s video using a walker to walk out of Craig Hospital for the first time in early August. He has continued to use the walker during therapy and has a walker for practice at home.  Ryan now is focused on improving his steps, concentrating on foot placement, improving his gait, keeping his core straight and gaining strength. After NRN, Ryan will transition immediately into more outpatient therapy at Craig toward his ultimate goal of walking and regaining full use of his hands. The first 1-2 years following a spinal cord injury are a critical window of time for recovery, and Ryan and his therapy team are doing all they can to make the most of it.

Ryan attends school at Craig using adaptive software and tools, and he is working hard to catch up on the classes he missed so he will be ready when he returns to College Park. Thank you to Ms. Haider, Mr. Phan and Ms. Aiello for helping Ryan with classes from afar this semester, and Mr. Nolan and Mr. Gayle last semester!   Ryan’s sister, Haley, has started her freshman year at College Park, and parents, Tom and Kristin, will be going back and forth between California and Colorado. Being separated as a family is a difficult part of this journey, and we look forward to all being together again during the holidays.

Thank you to everyone who keeps us in their thoughts and all of you who continue to reach out to support us.  We would not be where we are without you.  Falcon parent, Angel Lara, connected us with the Contra Costa Association of Realtors Helping Hands Committee and they generously donated toward power-assisted wheels for Ryan’s manual wheelchair, which will make it much easier for him to get around school.  We are so lucky to be part of this community, you are all such amazing people!

https://www.gofundme.com/help-our-teammate-ryan

The family may be contacted through Ryan’s uncle Mike Halket at helpryanjoseph@gmail.com