In the spring of 2013, Head Football Coach Beau LaBore set out to transform the weight room.  With the help of lead strength and condition coach Mike Weiss, a three-phase plan was established.

The first phase, delivered in May 2013, included five multipurpose racks, dozens of medicine balls, strength bands, plyo jump sets, weighted accessories, and much more.  This phase was paid for with Stillwater Area High School donations, several high school athletic teams, and Pony Power and Performance (PPP).  The cost was $43,610.

Midway through the summer, the Ponies Touchdown Club (PTC) ordered phase two.  This included five more multipurpose racks, 15 swivel bars, badly needed bumper plates for 15 stations, and five power clean platforms.  This phase costs $49,500.

Over the winter the PTC, with some assistance from the Activities Office, ordered an amended version of phase three.  This allowed us to replace dated and in some cases mismatched dumbbells, dumbbell racks, all of our weights, and 10 multipurpose bars.  The original cost was $22,918.  However, after letting go of a few items, the purchase was $15,673.

Not only did most of the resources change in our space, but physical changes took place in the space as well.  Performed by our building and grounds staff and custodians, the room was painted, both doors were replaced, and some basic maintenance was completed.

On behalf of the PTC, which contributed well over half of the almost $109,000, and all those who contributed or donated generously, we can say mission accomplished!  This drastic improvement to our weight room gives our students, athletes, and teams a significant opportunity to get bigger, stronger, faster, and seek a healthy lifestyle.

Our next task will be to bring together our stakeholders to customize the look of the weight room.  This will include achievement boards and posters.  We hope to see this change before PPP 2014!

To see the original article, click Weight Room

The Ponies Touchdown Club is proud to announce the successful completion of two major projects in 2013.

The first is the Stillwater Area High School Weight Room Initiative.  Since the high school opened in 1993, the weight room has not undergone any significant improvements leaving the equipment dated and worn out.  Maintaining a high quality weight room is essential to achieving successful high school athletic programs.  More importantly, with recent improvements in technology and the science of strength and conditioning, better products exist that assist athletes in reaching their full potential.
 

With a significant financial contribution from the Ponies Touchdown Club, the weight room has undergone two of the three planned phases for renovation with state-of-the-art equipment. Generous donations have also been made by teams, Pony Power and Performance, alumni, and community members. Donations are still sought as this project nears completion. The space is much more functional and efficient, and all Stillwater Area High School students in all sports and physical education classes will have the opportunity to use the new equipment to maximize their potential.

The second project is the construction of a 580 square foot equipment storage garage for the benefit of the Stillwater Area High School football teams.  The garage is centrally located near the main practice fields and allows for the quick storage and retrieval of equipment making football practices more efficient.  The construction of the building was fully funded by the Ponies Touchdown Club and completed in time for the start of the 2013 football season.

The Ponies Touchdown Club would like to thank the many volunteers who have worked on the newly constructed equipment garage for the benefit of the Stillwater Area High School football team.

This building was made possible by the generous support of the Ponies Touchdown Club and its membership.  We would also like to acknowledge the cooperation of Stillwater Area Public Schools Superintendent Corey Lunn and Oak Park Heights Mayor Mary McComber. 

Specifically we would like to thank the companies and individuals who volunteered their time and materials to make this project a reality: Larson Architects - Brian Larson, STW Construction - Scott Wille, Albertson Construction - Brian Albertson, Collins Electric - Mark Williams, Hail Pros - Todd Fultz, Peterson Decorating – Kirk Peterson, Sherwin Williams, and Action Rental.

Garage Volunteers: Brian Albertson, Darek Albertson, Mark Elmer, Parker Estenson, Pat Estenson, Ryan Floen, Bob Gray, Kelly Gray, Nick Gray, Charlie Haumersen, Seth Heinen, Jon Hill, Abdi Hirsi, Erich Hoefferle, Mathias (Mutt) Hoefferle, Greg Hosch, Tim Jahnke, Tommy Jorgenson, Zach Knox, Beau LaBore, Andrew Lammers, Clayton McGinley, Eric Olson, Jake Olson, Luke Olson, Patti Olson, Eric Pederson, David Peterson, Kirk Peterson, Cal Rorabeck, Dave Rorabeck, Matt Simcik, Nick Wanovich, Josh Wille, and Scott Wille.

The Ponies Touchdown Club thanks all of its members for providing the financial resources and volunteer hours to make these projects a reality.  The PTC is also proud of the community collaboration these projects have demonstrated. The PTC is committed to continuing the strong tradition of Stillwater Ponies Football and making our program the most respected football program in the state.