Hard work and self-esteem on the playing field, they believe, often carry over to academics. I can't imagine anything more boring than coming to school, going to class and going home,'' said Hughes. We really work hard on getting all the kids involved in something. We lecture them. We encourage them to be in band, chorus, athletics, something extracurricular.'' When each new freshman class arrives on campus for orientation, the youngsters fill out questionnaires that include athletic interests.
Coaches then seek out the appropriate students.
Some kids just need a little push and some kids just need to know that somebody cares,'' he said. We feel that athletes are better students,'' said track coach David Bailey, a Winfield coach for 19 years. We offer every sport that the SSAC sanctions except swimming,'' said Hughes. Despite Winfield's state titles and overall success, participation is the primary goal, the athletic director insists. I'm not trying to encourage them because we want a championship,'' he said.