Hockinson Middle School hasn’t fielded a football team since the 20th Century. OK, while that is a little dramatic, it is true that the students have not had the opportunity to play school-sponsored football since the 1990s. That will change this coming fall. Earlier this spring, a HSD patron made a generous donation so the school could purchase uniforms and equipment to re-establish the program, if only for a season.
The Donation that Balances the Scales for 2025-26.
The gift from the anonymous donor was timely. According to Sid Slom - who serves as the school’s Dean, Athletic Director, and now its Head Football Coach - student interest in football has been consistently high on student athletic/activity surveys. Adding the sport also helps to balance school-sponsored sports and Title IX proportionality. “The addition of football gives us equal offerings in each season,” said Slom. Specifically, it means that during the 2025-26 school year HMS will offer two boys sports and two girls sports in the fall (Football, Volleyball, and Boys & Girls Cross Country) and winter (Boys & Girls Wrestling and Boys & Girls Basketball) and a single sport (Boys & Girls Track and Field) in the spring.
Football also rounds out the school’s participation in its sports league. HMS belongs to the Southwest Washington Middle School League (SWWMSL) for interscholastic athletics. Of the 14 member schools in the SWWMSL, 13 have football. Until this fall, the lone exception has been HMS. While HMS will be running a combined Grade 7 & 8 program this fall, 11 of the 13 SWWMSL schools have Grade 7 and Grade 8 teams.
Turnout Exceeds Expectations, but so do Costs
Slom was pleasantly surprised by the strong turnout at spring workouts, which started the Week of June 2. “Student interest was obviously strong on paper, but you just never know how many students will actually turn out until the first day of practice,” said Slom. “I wondered, ‘Will we have enough?’ ‘Will the kids actually show?’” He got his answer: 26 boys attended the first day of workouts. 30 showed on Day 2.
Slom now faces a dilemma: How to provide adequate supplies and safety equipment to all athletes for a program that might only last one season? “We took our shot and went after an opportunity. The response was greater than we expected. So how do we reconcile that level of interest given that our resources will only get us through this fall?” asked Slom. The question is even tougher to answer because the donation does not cover all of the costs of establishing a program even for a smaller number of participants. While some players will be providing their own equipment, HMS is starting from scratch. The first-year program needs equipment for first-year players, yard markers, a blocking sled, jerseys, and - yes - footballs.
The solution involves equal parts player responsibility, fundraising, volunteerism, and a “make do” spirit.
Middle School Football - The Hockinson Way
Slom was hired as the HMS Dean of Students/Athletic Director in July 2023 after spending many years in the Vancouver School District. He says that in one of his first conversations with Superintendent Steve Marshall he was told that the HSD has a tradition of getting things done with limited resources. “He called it ‘The Hockinson Way,’ Slom recalled. “I’ve lost count how many times I’ve heard it since. But I love it. Bess [Colpron] and I want to give as many opportunities as possible to our kids and we understand that in many cases it’s up to us to make it happen. We’re resourceful and we’re up for the challenge.”
The challenge of launching a football program on a shoestring budget will involve a player fee ($175), volunteer assistant coaches, parents as game workers, drop-only transportation, grants, and fundraisers. Slom shared that he has already submitted two grant applications and is looking for more. He’s also trying to line up parents to help run a car wash fundraiser as well as fill slots working concessions at The Cascades Amphitheater.
A Make or Break Season
Slom realizes that this season could be a “one and done” proposition regardless of player enjoyment and wins. “The donation was an incredible and unexpected gift. But it is a one-time gift. A sports program can’t be sustained on individual donations,” said Slom, explaining that football, like the school’s other sports, would need levy funding to continue. However, he’s grateful for the opportunity. Slom, who has coached football for 8 years, misses the relationships and memories that are created through sports. He also looks forward to learning firsthand what is needed to continue the program if levy funding is secured.
HMS Principal Bess Colpron and Slom aren’t done looking for opportunities for their students. “I’m so lucky to have Sid as my partner at HMS. We share the same philosophy about what it takes to build a positive school culture and, for many of our kids, after-school programs like sports, clubs, and ASB [Leadership] are huge building blocks for personal growth and connecting with others,” said Colpron.
“We’re not done yet!” Slom added. He’s exploring the addition of Girls Golf, pursuing a new volunteer advisor for Robotics Club, and looking to establish other new clubs. “I love seeing our athletes represent HMS and our students find their place in our school, especially when it’s something that they wouldn’t be able to do otherwise,” said Slom. “I also like that if we can make this work, it’s something that will support HHS and Ben,” referring to Ben Nelson, the school’s counselor who was recently named the Head Football Coach at Hockinson High School.
If you are interested in making a donation to the HMS Football program or any of the school’s after-school programs, please email Sid Slom at sid.slom@hocksd.org.