A Brief History of Proctor Rails Boys’ Soccer

First Year Head Coach Jesse Smith gets the team ready for a game.
– The Proctor Mallet Photo

Lindsy Wayt

The Proctor Mallet

“It’s why we play the game. Anything is possible, anything can happen, and we proved that again tonight.” – Casey Korkus

Proctor soccer started as a club team funded by the community in 1991. Parents would provide the main funding for these clubs. Through the persistent determination of the people, soccer began to flourish. With expanding involvement, accomplishments, and hard work, the clubs were eventually established as official teams supported by the school in 1993.

Many challenges were faced when trying to develop this program. Some major challenges were establishing fields, funding, and skillful players. Many players came out to the field “raw,” meaning they had little or no experience with soccer. It took a lot of coaching, time, and perseverance to form strong teams. The people in the community itself played an influential part in establishing these things.

“Some of the major milestones were the simple things we usually take for granted now, like getting uniforms and bus rides,” said Glen Sorenson former teacher and coach of Proctor High School, “and then, of course, when the clubs actually became teams sponsored by the school. That was a major accomplishment.”

Sorenson was the first head coach for the Proctor Girls’ soccer team when it started in ’91. He then transitioned to head coach of the boys’ team once Jennifer Harnell took over the girls’. Proctor has been section champs 5 times in the past 12 years.

“What I love and miss about soccer is the beauty of the sport. I’ve played and held a passion for it since I was in high school. I miss playing and coaching it,” Sorenson said, “What I miss most though is just having fun with the players. Each team brought a lot of character. I look at past team photos and can pick out and remember great characters-many humorous characters. It was fun to be successful, but the practices, games, and just having fun with the team is what I enjoyed the most.”

From 1999, 2002, and to now, 19 years later from when it all started, Proctor High School’s Boys Soccer advances on to its third state tournament. Proctor defeated Grand Rapids in the 7A section boys’ soccer championship. The Rails will take on the number one seeded Prairie Seeds Academy October 29, 2010 at Roseville Area High School at 5:30pm in the first round playoff. Sorenson’s advice for this year’s team is, “Don’t worry about the titles. You know that by working hard it is possible to achieve anything.” Good luck, Rails. Let’s keep making history in this great sport called soccer.