Perkins taught values, sportsmanship with recreation sports programs

By Steve Van Kooten

For many children, sports are more than just games. They’re a practical way to learn sportsmanship, teamwork and self-improvement — important skills that shape a person long after they leave the playing field.

Mike Perkins understands that very well: he’s spent the past 13 years introducing those concepts to kids as a coach and coordinator for the Prairie du Chien Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department’s sports programs.

“They play for the love of the game,” said Perkins. “I wanted to teach the kids to love the sport first before competition set in.”

After moving to Prairie du Chien with his family, Perkins became interested in volunteering with the city’s sports programs as a way to get involved with his kids’ activities.

“Parks and Rec is where I learned to love sports as a kid,” he said, “and the best way to stay involved is to coach.”

The city (and everybody else, for that matter) always needs volunteers, and getting adults to help with the sports programs has, at times, been one of the city’s challenges.

“That’s always the biggest hurdle we’ve had because there are always kids that want to play. The city will always put the programs on if there’s a demand for it. I stayed with Parks and Recreation because they needed the help — they needed the hands to put these programs on for kids,” said Perkins.

Throughout the years, he’s coached and coordinated a wide variety of sports, including basketball, soccer, football, kickball, track and field and even granny basketball.

“That was a blast playing with the ladies that knew how to play the game as it was originally intended,” recalled Perkins.

The best coaches are teachers; they impart lessons and organize a way for kids (or adults) to practice what they learn with a group of their peers. 

One of the most important tenets Perkins follows is that everybody plays. 

“That’s the biggest thing: teaching them that there are other people on the field and you have to treat them equally,” said Perkins. 

The Parks and Rec programs can also provide an outlet for kids who don't get many opportunities to interact with their peers.

“A lot of kids come out of their shell because they saw that they could do it, too. They could be part of the team. They learn how to become part of the team and get along with other kids outside of the school environment.”

Perkins has announced that he will be stepping back from the sports programs going forward. His kids have aged out, and, like any good player knows, there’s a time when it’s best to hand the ball off.

“I’ll still be around, but it’s time to see if other people are willing to step forward,” he said.

Perkins may love the sports, but what he will miss the most is watching the kids get some dirt on their hands and faces while they learn new things, break down the obstacles in front of them and grow into their ears.

“I love watching the kids grow up. The first group of kids are graduating, and I’ve seen them grow up to become men and women. It has been exciting,” he said.

Perkins worked under two directors (both named Mike, of course), and according to them, he left an inimitable impression on generations of Prairie du Chien youth.

“Mike had a huge impact on all of the children that he helped coach and coordinate through many years,” said Parks Director Mike Wallace. “Mike was always there for the kids. He thought and knew the children in this community needed activities to stay busy, active and healthy.”

Former Parks Director Mike Ulrich added that Perkins “instilled the parks and recreation philosophy of everybody plays, takes different positions, sportsmanship and, most importantly, having fun.”

He added that Perkins was “very fair” with the kids, coaches and parents.

“The city was lucky to have him.”

“He has helped so many children enjoy various sports by giving them the opportunity to play them,” wrote Wallace.