Amidst the storm and stress of what happens next for Northland College, there is a happy constant in which Bay-Area athletic directors and coaches alike may be taking heart: A healthy collaboration between local youth and high school programs with Northland’s athletic department and ready access to the college’s superb facilities.
Perhaps the prime example is Ponzio Stadium on the Northland campus, which ranks as one of the country’s finest in all of NCAA D3 and is decked out for soccer, lacrosse and is even ready to host collegiate football. In fact, Ponzio has welcomed the Ashland Oredockers football team on many occasions and scores of other teams, programs and events including summer camps, Bay-Area high school soccer matches, practices and tournaments.
Many other local games and athletic events have been hosted by the Kendrigan Center Chapple Family Gymnasium, and LumberJill softball and LumberJack baseball fields are often shared with the Ashland School District. Daniel Schumacher, Northland College’s executive director of intercollegiate athletics, said the aim is to continue to be of service to Bay-Area athletic programs.
“Right now, today, we are planning on youth camps this summer,” Schumacher said. “It has been a big charge I have given the coaches … to grow the camps. There will still be opportunity for outside groups to rent and use our facilities.”
The Ashland School District and Northland have mutually benefited from their sports relationship, according to AHS Athletic Director Brian Miller.
“My experience goes back to 2008 when I became athletic director,” Miller said. “We have shared facilities for baseball and softball over this time. There was a group of alumni called Friends of the Field who gave money to the college for upgrades to the fields with the understanding that the high school would have access to them.”
Ponzio was a big boost, Miller noted.
“The completion of Ponzio opened up a fantastic facility that our soccer teams and football teams have used,” he said. “Softball as well, when the stadium is set up for it. Northland has been very gracious about finding openings to practice and play. It is a first-class stadium. Visiting schools find Ponzio an impressive place to play. I know we have seen some of our Oredockers stay in town to attend Northland and compete on their sports teams — and Ponzio Stadium has been a good draw to keep those kids local.”
Schumacher, too, values the relationships Northland athletics and its facilities have with the greater community.
“Partnership … is mutually beneficial,” Schumacher said. “Having games on our campus exposes potential recruits to what we have to offer. This type of partnership is a practice I have exhibited in all of the schools where I have been athletic director.”
In this era of smaller high school graduating classes, coupled with an economy that is at least for now providing reasonably well-paying entry-level jobs, admissions professionals know that competition for students is high. Offering intercollegiate sports programs in which students can compete is recognized as a tool for attracting students. At Northland College, nearly 40% of studens also play sports. Ultimately, Northland’s collegiate-level facilities benefit all who use them, Schumacher said, with the Ashland district perhaps leading the way.
“We are both part of the fabric of Ashland, with a long history,” Schumacher said. “The takeaway from my chair is that the partnership is good for both parties. It shows the community a sense of collaboration.”
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