Local Athletes Reflect on Legacy and Opportunity as Boardman Teams Gear Up

Here in Boardman, where the Columbia River winds past our fields, the concept of legacy is something our sports community understands deeply. For generations, local families have passed down a love for the game, whether it’s on the football field at Riverside High School or the baseball diamonds where summer leagues thrive.

As our fall sports season approaches, coaches are emphasizing not just skill, but the foundational right of every young athlete in our town to participate and build their own legacy. “Sports in Boardman are a birthright for our kids,” said veteran football coach, Mark Higgins. “It’s about that automatic jersey, that spot on the team bus. It’s where they learn about community, grit, and belonging.”

This sense of inherent place is what fuels our local programs. From the moment a child first picks up a basketball at the Boardman Parks & Rec center, they are part of a tradition. That opportunity creates a powerful sense of team identity that mirrors the values of our tight-knit agricultural community—hard work, dedication, and supporting the person next to you.

As the Bulldogs prepare for their opening games, the focus is on building from that solid foundation. “We don’t take that starting point for granted,” added Coach Higgins. “It’s our job to ensure every player who walks onto our field knows they belong here, that this is their team, their town. That’s how champions are built, right here at home.”