Tigers Open Season With New Coach
July 31, 2018 at 4:37 p.m.
Tigers Open Season With New Coach
By Dale [email protected]
With Monday evening's first official practice, the Warsaw Tigers entered the Bart Curtis era, and their opening session on the synthetic turf at Fisher Field was a lot like Curtis – upbeat and full of energy.
“I'm sure there's probably some kids that are wondering what's going on, and that's OK, I get that,” said Curtis, who was inducted into the Indiana High School Football Hall of Fame in 2016
“Like I told them the first time I met them, I chose them, they didn't choose me. We've got to figure it out and find way to coexist together, and do things my way, and also try to respect the past, honor the past, but move forward in some different ways.”
Curtis' resumé includes 201 wins as he enters his 28th season as a head coach. He's held the reins at Maconaquah, New Prairie and Mishawaka.
Curtis, who played at NorthWood High School for legendary coach Jim Andrews, led Mishawaka to the Class 5A state finals in 2012.
At Warsaw, he takes over for Phil Jensen, who in two stints led the Tigers to 104 wins. Jensen stepped down last fall. His final victory broke a tie with George Fisher and made him the program's winningest coach.
Curtis first met with interested players in February, and he said it's been a positive experience since that day.
“We've had 65 to 80 guys, somewhere in that range, that have been incredible as far as their commitment, their effort, their attendance, and their attitude,” said Curtis. “You can't go wrong with that.”
Curtis said there were nearly 100 players at Monday's practice – approximately 70 sophomores, juniors and seniors, and about 30 freshmen.
In the team huddle at the end of practice, Curtis told his players that in his 28 years as a head coach, Monday's practice was in the top five in terms of first practices of the season.
“If people come out and watch us play, or watch us practice – practices are open to the public, I've got no problem with that – they're going to see a hard-working group of guys that are going to be expected to give their best effort at all times off and on the field,” said Curtis. “We're gonna come out on Friday nights and hopefully execute at a high level, but we're gonna play with a lot of passion.”
The Tigers open the season Aug. 17 with a game at Columbia City.
Warsaw will host Leo for a scrimmage on Aug. 10.
Latest News
E-Editions
With Monday evening's first official practice, the Warsaw Tigers entered the Bart Curtis era, and their opening session on the synthetic turf at Fisher Field was a lot like Curtis – upbeat and full of energy.
“I'm sure there's probably some kids that are wondering what's going on, and that's OK, I get that,” said Curtis, who was inducted into the Indiana High School Football Hall of Fame in 2016
“Like I told them the first time I met them, I chose them, they didn't choose me. We've got to figure it out and find way to coexist together, and do things my way, and also try to respect the past, honor the past, but move forward in some different ways.”
Curtis' resumé includes 201 wins as he enters his 28th season as a head coach. He's held the reins at Maconaquah, New Prairie and Mishawaka.
Curtis, who played at NorthWood High School for legendary coach Jim Andrews, led Mishawaka to the Class 5A state finals in 2012.
At Warsaw, he takes over for Phil Jensen, who in two stints led the Tigers to 104 wins. Jensen stepped down last fall. His final victory broke a tie with George Fisher and made him the program's winningest coach.
Curtis first met with interested players in February, and he said it's been a positive experience since that day.
“We've had 65 to 80 guys, somewhere in that range, that have been incredible as far as their commitment, their effort, their attendance, and their attitude,” said Curtis. “You can't go wrong with that.”
Curtis said there were nearly 100 players at Monday's practice – approximately 70 sophomores, juniors and seniors, and about 30 freshmen.
In the team huddle at the end of practice, Curtis told his players that in his 28 years as a head coach, Monday's practice was in the top five in terms of first practices of the season.
“If people come out and watch us play, or watch us practice – practices are open to the public, I've got no problem with that – they're going to see a hard-working group of guys that are going to be expected to give their best effort at all times off and on the field,” said Curtis. “We're gonna come out on Friday nights and hopefully execute at a high level, but we're gonna play with a lot of passion.”
The Tigers open the season Aug. 17 with a game at Columbia City.
Warsaw will host Leo for a scrimmage on Aug. 10.
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092