Hannah Bronkema is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Arizona College Preparatory for AZPreps365.com

What started as 80 students at Arizona College Preparatory in July 2007 is now approaching over 900 with the anticipation of a new campus, coming fall 2021, to hold over 2,000 students.

“The unique part and the part that I love so much about ACP is that regardless of what size we go to, we still have a small school culture here,” athletic director Jamie McClure said. “We’re very individualized in what we do for students. My goal for the athletics department is to create a competitive athletics department that although we are in a lower division, can compete with a Hamilton or a Basha.”

While McClure said the new campus will provide a plethora of academics for its students, she is hopeful that new student athletes choose ACP over other schools as their athletic programs look to receive some much-needed T.L.C. in facilities and fields.

“Although we’re increasing our athletic programs and we’re at the competitive level in many of our sports, when you don’t have a football field, two gyms, or a proper weight room I think that students and parents look at it like no matter how good their team may be, I want the facilities that go with it and we will be able to offer that now,” McClure said.

Like most of ACP’s athletic programs, softball practices are currently held at off-campus locations in less than satisfactory conditions.

“We don’t have a softball field here,” softball coach Shawn Curbello said, “We have to go to Anderson Junior High to practice, which is a hazard. The field is just not in really good shape and it’s really kind of dangerous.”

Aside from twisted ankles in the outfield, the team competes against the city of Chandler for practice time due to a contract between Anderson and the city which leaves any maintenance Curbello does on the fields for his team useless.

“Having our own facility will be nice, actually it will be amazing. Talking with the girls, it makes them feel like we will be a real program so to speak because it makes them feel like they will finally have something to call their own,” Curbello said.

Instead of playing “home games” at Hamilton, the softball team looks forward to having their first home field equipped with batting cages and bull pens that Curbello said will improve the overall look and attitude of the program.

“I really feel that having your own facility, your own field to have and take pride in and to work hard to make it what you want, will grow the program further,” Curbello said.

Curbello looks forward to the 2021 season and the introduction to ACP’s first ever J.V. team, a sign that the program is growing in the right direction.

While no plans have been made yet to commemorate the addition of the new athletic facilities, McClure said they are already planning for student sections at all home games in 2021 as the new campus becomes more of the comprehensive high school experience.

 

New athletic facilities schematics (photo courtesy of cusd80.com).