A new community-led effort is taking shape in the Battle Ground area to bring back middle school sports following budget cuts, starting with a series of youth track and field events this May.
The proposed Falcon-Tiger Future Foundation, still in its early stages, is being organized by local volunteer Nick Campos. The foundation would operate independently of Battle Ground Public Schools while working alongside community partners to provide athletic and activity opportunities for younger students.
Middle school sports disappeared at the start of the 2025-26 school year following roughly $14 million in district cuts tied to levy failures. With another failed levy in February and an additional $20 million in cuts looming, the return of school-funded middle school sports remains unlikely. The district’s latest failed February proposal did not include restoring middle school sports, focusing on maintaining its current level of operations.
Campos recalled moving into Hockinson boundaries at age 12, when middle school sports were cut shortly afterward.
“I told myself at that age that it’s something that a kid shouldn't have to go through,” Campos said. “And here, recently, when middle school sports were cut from the levy (failures), there was no path forward if somebody from the community didn’t step up to try to get involved to make it happen on an individual basis.”
The foundation has not yet been formally established, but a first initiative for middle-school athletic opportunities is already underway. A three-week youth track and field series will be held at Prairie High School on May 9, May 16 and May 23, each starting at 10 a.m.
The program is open to ages seven and up and will include beginner-friendly instruction, practice-focused meets and a final competition, respectively. Readers can register and learn more about programming at bgce.battlegroundps.org/o/bgce/page/track-ages-7-and-up.
“Sports give far more than just athletic competition,” Campos said. “It gives the understanding that failure is a reality of life, that through trial and adversity you can come to know not only a better version of yourself athletically or physically… You grow as a person.”
The May events are being run through the Prairie High School Boosters, which Campos oversees for track and field, but they are intended as a first step toward a broader, long-term structure. That future foundation would support middle and elementary school athletics, with high school athletes volunteering to help run programs.
Prairie High School head track and field coach Kawan Martin said the loss of earlier opportunities has already impacted incoming athletes.
“The biggest difference is, we'd have a lot of kids that show up here that have no exposure to sports from middle school,” he said. “That's pretty significant because we have to basically teach them how to do the sport. They're excited to do the sport, but at the same time, I think they miss out on a lot of development, especially team culture, from not having it.”
Martin and assistant coaches will volunteer for the three upcoming track and field events. He spoke in admiration of Campos’ efforts to return athletic opportunities to young athletes.
Students who previously participated in middle school sports say those programs played a key role in their development.
“It helps (you) develop when you're younger because a lot of people start when they're in high school,” Prairie Senior and wrestler Tommie Vick said. “It’s hard for them to make something out of it when you start too late, so having an opportunity earlier is very good, and you can see if you like it.”
Other local athletes emphasized the social and emotional impact of middle school athletics.
“I was really disappointed by (the cuts) because I learned a lot in middle school sports,” Prairie track and field athlete Laura Faron said, recalling her experience at Daybreak Middle School. “I got a lot of knowledge and social skills through middle school sports.”
Battle Ground Public Schools Superintendent Shelley Whitten said she was happy to learn about the foundation’s efforts.
“One of the things that we know is that we need the support and help of our community in order to be able to offer the activities that our students dearly, desperately need,” Whitten said. “I’m hoping that it’s successful and I’m hoping we can continue to partner in a way that will help our students have activities after school.”
Campos said the long-term vision includes expanding into other sports, such as cross-country and wrestling, as well as non-athletic programs, such as theater and career-focused activities. He also hopes to expand athletic and after-school opportunities at the elementary school level. Funding would come from program fees, donations and community support to make after-school opportunities stable and less dependent on school funding measures.
“We are going to keep going, that's the nature of it,” Campos said. “This is our first event, so whether we're successful in drawing 200 or 20, we're going to keep going to other events next year.”
As the foundation gets started, Campos is considering ways to collect donations. He is currently discussing with the Battle Ground Education Foundation whether they can support the collection of donations or explore other options.
