Restore Community, Tradition, and Excellence in Central Athletics
The Issue
A Call for New Athletic Leadership at Saint Paul Central High School
Saint Paul Central High School is more than a school, it is a historic institution deeply rooted in the legacy of the Rondo community. As the largest high school in Minnesota’s capital city, Central has produced generations of outstanding athletes, coaches, educators, and community leaders. Its athletic tradition has long been a source of pride for students, alumni, families, and the City of Saint Paul.
For decades, Central Athletics thrived because of a strong partnership between the school and the surrounding community. Alumni volunteered their time, businesses donated resources, families packed the stands, and neighborhood residents proudly supported student-athletes. Athletics helped unite generations and reflected the pride, resilience, and excellence of the historic Rondo neighborhood.
Today, many parents, students, alumni, former coaches, and community members believe that partnership has been broken.
We are calling on Saint Paul Public Schools to conduct a thorough review of the leadership of Central Athletics and appoint an Athletic Director who demonstrates a proven commitment to community engagement, collaboration, transparency, equity, and student success.
Our Concerns
Over the past several years, many members of the Central community have raised concerns regarding the direction of the athletic department. Among the concerns frequently expressed are:
A noticeable decline in meaningful engagement with parents, alumni, and the surrounding community.
The loss of longtime traditions that helped connect generations of Central families.
Community members and alumni feeling discouraged or excluded from volunteering and supporting athletic programs.
Reduced attendance at athletic events, leading to lower fundraising opportunities and diminished school spirit.
Declining student participation and enrollment in athletic programs.
Limited support and resources available to student-athletes.
Poor communication and a lack of collaboration with families, coaches, alumni, and community partners.
These concerns have affected more than athletic performance—they have impacted the overall culture surrounding Central Athletics.
The Loss of Tradition
For over 15 years, Central Football Season Opener Alumni Night served as a cherished tradition that brought former players, families, and supporters back to celebrate the school’s proud football history. The event strengthened alumni relationships, increased attendance, inspired current athletes, and reinforced school pride.
Under the current athletic leadership, this longstanding tradition came to an end.
For many alumni, this symbolized a larger disconnect between the athletic department and the community that has supported Central for generations.
Declining School Spirit and Community Engagement
Athletic programs flourish when communities are involved.
Many community members believe Central Athletics has experienced a significant decline in volunteer participation, fan attendance, and community involvement. Families, alumni, and neighborhood organizations have expressed frustration that their efforts to contribute have not been welcomed or supported.
As community engagement declined, so did many of the traditions and energy that once made Central sporting events special.
Student-Athlete Experience
Parents have expressed disappointment regarding the level of planning and recognition surrounding important student-athlete milestones, including Senior Night and end-of-season celebrations.
These events should honor the dedication and accomplishments of students who have committed countless hours representing Central High School. Families believe these moments deserve greater care and attention.
Community members have also expressed concern that outstanding athletic accomplishments have not always been appropriately celebrated.
Last season, a Central basketball student-athlete became Saint Paul’s All-Conference leading scorer, an extraordinary accomplishment that many believe deserved broader recognition from both the school and local media.
Our student-athletes deserve to have their achievements celebrated.
The Current State of Central Athletics
Many members of the Central community point to several troubling trends:
The varsity football team finished last season without a victory.
Community members report lower attendance at games and fewer volunteers supporting athletic events.
Families have expressed concerns about limited resources available to athletic programs.
The cheerleading program has experienced significant instability over the past several years, leaving Central without the consistent presence of a cheer squad at many athletic events.
Participation across several athletic programs has reportedly declined.
While no single person is responsible for every challenge facing a school athletic department, effective leadership plays a critical role in building relationships, creating opportunities, encouraging participation, and restoring school pride.
Equity Matters
Central High School sits within the historic Rondo neighborhood, a community whose Black residents have contributed immeasurably to the school’s athletic and cultural legacy.
Many Black alumni and community members have expressed that they no longer feel meaningfully included in helping preserve the traditions they helped build.
An athletic department should embrace, not distance itself from, the community that has supported it for generations.
Community engagement is not optional.
It is essential.
Our Request
We respectfully ask Saint Paul Public Schools to:
Conduct a comprehensive review of the leadership and direction of Central Athletics.
Meet with students, parents, alumni, coaches, and community members to hear their experiences.
Evaluate the effectiveness of community engagement and stakeholder collaboration.
Restore traditions that strengthen school pride and alumni involvement.
Appoint athletic leadership committed to transparency, collaboration, equity, and community partnership.
Our Vision
This petition is not about personal attacks.
It is about restoring trust.
It is about rebuilding relationships.
It is about ensuring that every student-athlete has the support, recognition, and opportunities they deserve.
It is about honoring Central’s historic legacy while building an athletic department that welcomes families, values alumni, partners with the Rondo community, and inspires future generations.
Central Athletics belongs to the students.
It belongs to the families.
It belongs to the alumni.
It belongs to the community.
Together, we can restore the pride, tradition, and excellence that have defined Saint Paul Central High School for generations.
If you believe in restoring community, strengthening student opportunities, honoring Central’s legacy, and building a brighter future for Central Athletics, we invite you to sign this petition.
86
The Issue
A Call for New Athletic Leadership at Saint Paul Central High School
Saint Paul Central High School is more than a school, it is a historic institution deeply rooted in the legacy of the Rondo community. As the largest high school in Minnesota’s capital city, Central has produced generations of outstanding athletes, coaches, educators, and community leaders. Its athletic tradition has long been a source of pride for students, alumni, families, and the City of Saint Paul.
For decades, Central Athletics thrived because of a strong partnership between the school and the surrounding community. Alumni volunteered their time, businesses donated resources, families packed the stands, and neighborhood residents proudly supported student-athletes. Athletics helped unite generations and reflected the pride, resilience, and excellence of the historic Rondo neighborhood.
Today, many parents, students, alumni, former coaches, and community members believe that partnership has been broken.
We are calling on Saint Paul Public Schools to conduct a thorough review of the leadership of Central Athletics and appoint an Athletic Director who demonstrates a proven commitment to community engagement, collaboration, transparency, equity, and student success.
Our Concerns
Over the past several years, many members of the Central community have raised concerns regarding the direction of the athletic department. Among the concerns frequently expressed are:
A noticeable decline in meaningful engagement with parents, alumni, and the surrounding community.
The loss of longtime traditions that helped connect generations of Central families.
Community members and alumni feeling discouraged or excluded from volunteering and supporting athletic programs.
Reduced attendance at athletic events, leading to lower fundraising opportunities and diminished school spirit.
Declining student participation and enrollment in athletic programs.
Limited support and resources available to student-athletes.
Poor communication and a lack of collaboration with families, coaches, alumni, and community partners.
These concerns have affected more than athletic performance—they have impacted the overall culture surrounding Central Athletics.
The Loss of Tradition
For over 15 years, Central Football Season Opener Alumni Night served as a cherished tradition that brought former players, families, and supporters back to celebrate the school’s proud football history. The event strengthened alumni relationships, increased attendance, inspired current athletes, and reinforced school pride.
Under the current athletic leadership, this longstanding tradition came to an end.
For many alumni, this symbolized a larger disconnect between the athletic department and the community that has supported Central for generations.
Declining School Spirit and Community Engagement
Athletic programs flourish when communities are involved.
Many community members believe Central Athletics has experienced a significant decline in volunteer participation, fan attendance, and community involvement. Families, alumni, and neighborhood organizations have expressed frustration that their efforts to contribute have not been welcomed or supported.
As community engagement declined, so did many of the traditions and energy that once made Central sporting events special.
Student-Athlete Experience
Parents have expressed disappointment regarding the level of planning and recognition surrounding important student-athlete milestones, including Senior Night and end-of-season celebrations.
These events should honor the dedication and accomplishments of students who have committed countless hours representing Central High School. Families believe these moments deserve greater care and attention.
Community members have also expressed concern that outstanding athletic accomplishments have not always been appropriately celebrated.
Last season, a Central basketball student-athlete became Saint Paul’s All-Conference leading scorer, an extraordinary accomplishment that many believe deserved broader recognition from both the school and local media.
Our student-athletes deserve to have their achievements celebrated.
The Current State of Central Athletics
Many members of the Central community point to several troubling trends:
The varsity football team finished last season without a victory.
Community members report lower attendance at games and fewer volunteers supporting athletic events.
Families have expressed concerns about limited resources available to athletic programs.
The cheerleading program has experienced significant instability over the past several years, leaving Central without the consistent presence of a cheer squad at many athletic events.
Participation across several athletic programs has reportedly declined.
While no single person is responsible for every challenge facing a school athletic department, effective leadership plays a critical role in building relationships, creating opportunities, encouraging participation, and restoring school pride.
Equity Matters
Central High School sits within the historic Rondo neighborhood, a community whose Black residents have contributed immeasurably to the school’s athletic and cultural legacy.
Many Black alumni and community members have expressed that they no longer feel meaningfully included in helping preserve the traditions they helped build.
An athletic department should embrace, not distance itself from, the community that has supported it for generations.
Community engagement is not optional.
It is essential.
Our Request
We respectfully ask Saint Paul Public Schools to:
Conduct a comprehensive review of the leadership and direction of Central Athletics.
Meet with students, parents, alumni, coaches, and community members to hear their experiences.
Evaluate the effectiveness of community engagement and stakeholder collaboration.
Restore traditions that strengthen school pride and alumni involvement.
Appoint athletic leadership committed to transparency, collaboration, equity, and community partnership.
Our Vision
This petition is not about personal attacks.
It is about restoring trust.
It is about rebuilding relationships.
It is about ensuring that every student-athlete has the support, recognition, and opportunities they deserve.
It is about honoring Central’s historic legacy while building an athletic department that welcomes families, values alumni, partners with the Rondo community, and inspires future generations.
Central Athletics belongs to the students.
It belongs to the families.
It belongs to the alumni.
It belongs to the community.
Together, we can restore the pride, tradition, and excellence that have defined Saint Paul Central High School for generations.
If you believe in restoring community, strengthening student opportunities, honoring Central’s legacy, and building a brighter future for Central Athletics, we invite you to sign this petition.
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Petition created on August 7, 2026