(Elk Horn) Exira/EHK Athletic Director Tom Petersen and Schools Superintendent Trevor led a community-wide meeting at the Exira/EHK gymnasium at Elk Horn on Tuesday night, focusing on the future of Spartan athletics. Both Petersen and Miller expressed their commitment to proactively addressing the long-term sustainability and success of the school’s athletic programs. They shared up-to-date information on participation numbers, program offerings, coaching considerations, and enrollment trends affecting Exira/EHK athletic opportunities.
As with many communities across rural Iowa, which continue to experience enrollment changes, students are not participating in activities. The future of the Spartan athletic programs is at a crossroads due to low numbers. Student enrollment was down by 23 students this past school year, and enrollment is expected to drop by another 10-12 students in the 2026-2027 school year. Tom Petersen explained that this past season, the baseball team started with 14 participants but ended with 12 able to play, and there were not enough players to form a J.V. squad. Meanwhile, the softball team shared with Audubon, fielding 11 student-athletes from Exira/EHK and 12 from Audubon for a total of 23, and had enough participants to play a Junior Varsity schedule.
The district announced earlier this year the cancellation of the varsity football program because of a lack of numbers. The Spartans have opted to keep the program going with a J.V. only schedule. Petersen says the plan is to play a five-game schedule; however, that will not be confirmed until August. Petersen pointed out that eleven student-athletes have shown an interest in playing this season. Coach Petersen says he has tried every scenario possible to keep the varsity football program going this fall.
Petersen says he has spoken with several prospective players and invited them to come out for football this fall.
Currently, the district shares with Audubon girls’ basketball, girls’ softball, boys’ and girls’ wrestling, and girls’ and boys’ tennis. Next week, Tom Petersen will go before the School Board and propose sharing athletics with Audubon in girls’ and boys’ basketball, girls’ and boys’ track, softball and baseball.
Another issue on the table is the struggle to find coaches. Petersen says he is searching for an assistant football coach, a Junior High Football Coach, a Head Boys’ Basketball Coach, and a Head Boys’ Track Coach. He says currently, there are no applicants for the Head Boys Basketball position.
Petersen says that if both school boards agree to adopt this broad athletic-sharing agreement with Audubon, it would begin next winter with basketball.
Tom Petersen emphasized that the proposal is for athletics only. Petersen mentioned both districts are experiencing shortages. He mentioned, for example, that Audubon had 13 to 14 baseball players and started three and four eighth graders.
Tom Petersen will appear before the School Board on July 14 at 6:00 p.m. at the Elk Horn-Kimballton facility.
Exira-EHK is committed to proactively evaluating
The purpose of this meeting is to:
● Review current participation numbers across Exira-EHK athletic programs.
● Share information regarding enrollment trends in Junior high and youth sports.
● Discuss the strengths and challenges of maintaining independent Spartan programs.
● Explore potential options for the future, including maintaining our current structure, sharing programs, or other cooperative opportunities.
● Gather feedback from students, coaches, parents, and community members.
● Engage in an open and transparent discussion focused on providing the best possible opportunities for our student-athletes.
Superintendent of Schools Trevor Miller says, “No decisions have been made regarding the future structure of Exira-EHK athletics. This meeting is intended to provide information, encourage dialogue, and allow stakeholders to share perspectives on what is best for our students and athletic programs in the short and long term.
“The Exira-EHK School Board and administration value the tradition and pride of Spartan athletics and recognize the importance of community input as we consider future opportunities and challenges,” said Miller.
“We encourage all interested community members to attend and participate in this important conversation. Together, we can work to ensure that Exira-EHK students continue to have meaningful, competitive, and sustainable athletic opportunities for years to come.”
