Mr. Drake Zortman is the new head football coach for the Messmer/Shorewood football team. People may know him as the fourth coach of the program, but he has a larger background that may go unnoticed. Coach Zortman has more than 20 years of coaching experience under his belt. He has coached at his Alma Mater Carroll University, as well as Waukesha West, Whitefish Bay, Nicolet, and Homestead high schools. He has also been recognized by CNI newspapers with an honorable mention for coach of the year in 2003.
Mr. Zortman has his Masters in Education from National Louis University. He uses his teaching skills as a math teacher at both Messmer and Shorewood high schools. When asked what he admires most about coaching, he said he likes “watching the athletes grow into young adults and I like to think that I’m doing it the right way.” He, along with the coaching staff, takes pride in building character and teaching discipline. Coach Zortman also admires “seeing kids not just be successful on the athletic field but seeing them be successful in the classroom.” He likes to see the success of the students in the community and to watch them grow into good parents themselves.
For the team, his goal has been first to have more wins than losses. He wants the team to make the playoffs. He also wants to make sure that the players understand that “they need to be on time and they need to be there every day so that they may play and win the game.” Senior Jamaal Hayes said, “Coach [Zortman] is making the right choices in order for us to succeed.” Messmer HIgh School Athletic Director Ms. Joy Bretsch remarked, "Coach Zortman brings a wealth of football knowledge and coaching experience to our program. We are excited to have such a quality leader in our effort to rebuild the football program here at Messmer/Shorewood."
The team now has a record of 3 wins and 1 loss in conference play and is taking the right steps towards an historic season.
