A message from Athletic Director Jim Mott

CVCSD Community:

As we start to see the finish line of yet another year of Academics and Athletics, I must say that it is with great pride that I see the many great things that have happened around our district.  We have enjoyed many great athletic moments and been the host for many Section 3 events showcasing our great facilities.

As this year progressed we faced many challenges with building projects, new scoreboards, a new video board in our Main Gym, HUDL capabilities to showcase our many teams via livestream, new locker room facilities and an updated Fitness Center at CVA to just name a few.

Many athletes and teams have also been recognized as Scholar Athletes which to me is the ultimate accomplishment marrying school and sport.

We have an amazing group of coaches, volunteers, supervisors, and Parent Boosters to help give our athletes the best high school experience possible.  Our Buildings and Grounds crew have been amazing through all of this as well in making sure our fields and athletic places of competition are as good as they can possibly be.  Our student-athletes have responded to every challenge they have faced including a new attendance policy and sportsmanship policy on how to conduct themselves on and off the field.

This leaves me with my final point, reminder, and challenge to the CVCSD Community.  As our announcer, Steve "Doozer" Smith reminds us at every home contest, there are expectations that we have for our fans, spectators, and parents.  Our Three Strike Policy is not something we like to enforce-it is something that we hope serves as a guideline when things get overly competitive and on the edge.  If you played soccer for me, coached against me or ever played sports against me-you know I am one of the most competitive people you will find.  As an Athletic Director, I have learned many things and humility is one of those.  I have learned to not dislike or hate any opponent.  I have learned we are all the same and want the same things when we compete and play sports.

I will keep the message simple and straightforward here:

It is more than ok to be positive and to cheer loud and proud for your Thunder teams and athletes home and away.  It is more than ok to be positive and show unconditional support to our teams win or lose.

It is not ok to be disrespectful to our opponents and the coaching staff that we face.   When I hear our Student Section targeting a player or coach-it breaks my heart, embarrasses me, and makes me angry.  Bullying takes many forms and it is not acceptable or "tough" to shout negative things from a distance or from our social media platforms..  ATtCVCSD, we are all on the same TEAM.  Our coaches, athletes, students, fans, and spectators should never be disruptive to a game by fighting with the other team, one another or our officials who are underpaid and underappreciated.

 As we conclude, our school year of 2025-26, let's cherish these last moments and especially the final efforts of our athletes from the Class of 2026 that have represented us so well and admirably.  This district and community means the world to me-it has for over half of my life since 1992.

Thank you.
Jim Mott
CVCSD Athletic Director