Building successful high school sports programs is a very challenging task and many school districts around the state have succeeded in doing that, and many are in the process of establishing those programs.

Clinton High School falls right in the middle of beginning to build and establishing a successful, multi-sport program. CHS Football Coach John Hayden is in his 4th year after a successful stint as head coach at South Piatt. This past spring, the high school named Chris Gibson the head varsity basketball coach after several successful years at Dwight. Also in the spring, the Board of Education named Dr. Candice Swift principal of the high school. Dr. Swift has been dubbed with the challenging task of helping to boost numbers throughout the various sports programs. She recognizes this challenge and feels it starts by developing interest while many of these kids are young.

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Dr. Swift also feels this effort can only take place when the students, parents and community members are behind the coaches of the various programs. Dr. Swift says she stands behind each coach currently in place and feels they work as hard as anyone to help the kids be successful.

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Vice President of the Clinton Athletic Boosters, Mike Walker says right away he can see the commitment Dr. Swift has towards turning the programs around. He says he, along with many other officers on the Boosters Board, have already spoken to her and they have been bouncing ideas off each other to find ways to help improve athletics.

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Dr. Swift has also made it her goal to try to increase school pride amongst the students. Earlier this year, students had the opportunity to reserve a spot in a special student section behind one of the end zones at the high school football field.