Matt Heinz is one of the many new teachers at Manitou Springs High School. He teaches physical education, has an advisory class and is the head football coach. Before he came to MSHS, he was a history teacher, he taught AP U.S. and world history. He loves history but this year he decided to make a change because not only did he want to lead the football team but he also wanted to teach students how to be healthy and active.
Heinz is happy to be at MSHS and support our athletes and students in any way he can. “I just think we need to encourage more students in the hallways to get more involved in activities and athletics,” Heinz said. “There are some kids that are going home at three o’clock that should be more involved in school.”
Although there are students that aren’t involved in sports and activities, Heinz also sees the student athletes working hard in whatever sport they may be involved in. “Seeing the hard work and dedication of a lot of our athletes including non-football players,” Heinz said. “Like I said, a lot of our basketball kids show up before school starts and they’re playing long all morning.”
Alicia Mauer is Heinz’s mentor and she feels that he has passion for the students at MSHS and wants them to be healthy and successful, “He wants to make sure everybody is thinking about their own responsibilities,” Mauer said, “and not finger pointing and things like that.”
Heinz decided to make a switch this year from his history career and move into P.E. “I do love history but I think P.E. has more lifelong value to us as human beings,” Heinz said. “If I can teach a human being good health habits, I could encourage them to continue working out their whole life.”
Heinz loves seeing students being active and athletic and, seeing as the MSHS football program is a very strong part of our school, he took on the role of being head coach, “I was ready to lead a football team,” Heinz said. “I think being a football coach, I can impact so many more students than the role I had previously.”
The football program has a very small JV team this year but the varsity team is still very strong this year, that doesn’t stop Heinz from being proud of them and still pushing to become a good, strong team. “It’s been a struggle, though, trying to find some more football players willing to do hard things,” Heinz said, “but the ones we do have, I do believe are some of the toughest kids in this community.”
Heinz doesn’t only care about athletes though he believes that all students at MSHS should be accountable and responsible with school and their peers. “I know that he cares about culture, respect and integrity,” Mauer said.
He loves to see student participation, students going to MSHS games, especially at the football game on Sept. 19, “We had a huge student section, great cheerleaders and supportive fans,” Heinz said. “That was really cool to see because we’re such a small school, but we still have huge student sections.”
Heinz loves to see athletic students, and he wants to be the reason for students to be involved in sports and lead a healthy and positive life with his role as a teacher and a football coach. “I believe in being competitive, accountable, selfless and tough,” Heinz said. “And I think those four skills will teach our football team and help them win games, but more importantly, be successful in life.”
