In its first season of existence, Shawnee High School soccer looks to make history.
The Academy @ Shawnee made history this past Wednesday. For the first time ever, Shawnee played a high school boys soccer game. It’s been a long time coming for the school in the West End. A dream is now a reality not only for the school but for the West End as well.
The team is coached by a familiar name in the high school scene. That is longtime coach Jay Gravette. Gravette has over 20 years of experience of coaching. Most recently he coached Central girls soccer after two stints at Fairdale where he led the boys team to six district titles along with two 6th Region Runner-up titles.
For the players who have been at Shawnee, they say having this team will not only help the school but it will also serve as a positive for the West End.
“I think this will help kids who want to play sports and help them enjoy their time at Shawnee and in the West End,” said junior Jordon Robb. “It will give them something to experience that the West End has never had the opportunity to experience.”
In addition to the team, Shawnee also has a brand new turf field. “We want everyone to come out and see how hard these kids are working,” said Gravette. “We may be overlooked and might be underdogs but that’s how I like it.” added Gravette Gravette says the community has been a huge support from donating soccer equipment along with funds to purchase everything that is needed to run a soccer program.
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Although Shawnee lost 5-0 to Valley in their first game, there is plenty of potential on the table for Shawnee. Valley in itself is no stranger to starting from the bottom as they have only had a soccer program since 2019 Valley coach James Wise believes that Shawnee will be a name to remember in the years to come.
“I’m super proud that someone stepped up to take on that program,” said Wise. “I started at the bottom too so I know what it means to give students opportunities but for soccer as a whole, I’m glad to see soccer boiling in the city and I’m glad that everyone is becoming capable of understanding that soccer is the beautiful sport because we can take all cultures and combine them to make something pretty, I saw that promise in Shawnee and I know as they go forward it’s going to shine through for those guys.”
Shawnee will have their first ever home game on Thursday September 19th vs Francis Parker at 5:30 p.m. They are back on the road on Thursday August 29th vs Walden at 6:00 p.m.
If anyone would like to donate to the program at Shawnee, you can contact Jay Gravette through Facebook or contact the school by calling 502-485-8326
