Coach Alford is a freshman biology teacher who has been teaching and representing the Badgers for 50 years now. Along with teaching, Alford has also coached football, basketball, baseball, track, and powerlifting.

Alford said that as a student himself he did not have a good support system from his coaches throughout his high school years. Alford loves sports and wanted to make a change in students’ lives. He said he knows that there is potential in every student. This motivated him into becoming a coach and helping students, giving them a good education as well as being a coach they could depend on.  

“The main reason I wanted to become a coach is to help out the kids to reach their maximum potential,” Alford said. “Once I got into coaching, I realized I really enjoyed teaching and the students were eager to learn.”

Alford coached football, basketball, track, and baseball for his first 15 years. The next 30 years he coached only football and powerlifting. Due to physical incapabilities, Alford had to give up the coaching. Although Alford has a great passion for sports, he said he has a greater passion for teaching. His biology teacher influenced him to go into teaching. Alford enjoyed biology while in school and decided to pursue it as a career himself. 

“When a student comes back and shakes your hand telling me that they benefited from my class, it’s such an awesome feeling,” Alford said. “That really keeps me motivated and keeps pushing me to keep teaching the students to really show their full  potential.”

Throughout the 50 years teaching here, Alford has noticed a change in the students, both good and bad. Although there are changes in the students, Alford said he tries his best to provide a good education for them, motivating himself to keep pushing himself harder, not only for himself but for the students too.

“Watching the kids play, as well as making good grades, lets me know that they’re giving their best effort,” Alford said. “Seeing students making an effort really makes me happy. It lets me know I’m making an impact in their lives.”