BIGFORK – What’s old is new again at Bigfork High School.
David Creamer announced his resignation as Bigfork’s athletic director on Monday after four years at the helm. Matt Porrovecchio, who worked in some capacity with the activities department for five years in the late 2000s, is returning as the AD.
“This was not something I was vying for, waiting for David to step down,” said Porrovecchio, who will continue to serve as Bigfork’s special education director. “I’m certainly sad to see him leave, because he was doing an exceptional job, but I’m happy to step into the position and continue the work that David had been doing.”
Creamer, who is resigning to pursue professional opportunities outside of education, oversaw a Bigfork athletic department that experienced plenty of success. The Valkyries recently won their second consecutive Class B state track and field championship, and both the Vikings and Valkyries basketball teams won Western B divisional titles this past winter. The Bigfork boys capped their undefeated season with the state championship.
The football team has qualified for the Class B state playoffs every year since 2010. The Vikings open up their 2018 season with a neutral-site game against Manhattan at Washington-Grizzly Stadium on Aug. 24, one of the final games Creamer helped organize.
“It was a fun position to step into, being a Bigfork grad and just getting to take over after being a coach and a fan,” Creamer said. “I wanted to try to settle some things down – we had some turnover and things. I think we did that made some good steps forward. In four years, we’ve had some great teams, great kids and great coaches. Everything’s on the up and up, and I think Matt can take us to another level with his enthusiasm and experience.”
Porrovecchio’s experience could well be a valued commodity in the coming years. While nothing is imminent, Bigfork could potentially be looking at a move back up to Class A in the next few years. The school dropped to Class B in the fall of 2009, but its enrollment is on the cusp of forcing another move during the next reclassification cycle. The Montana High School Association executive board will make its classification recommendations in 2020 after reviewing two-year enrollment averages.
Porrovecchio worked in the athletic department when Bigfork was last in Class A and helped the Vikings and Valkyries navigate the move to Class B.
“I certainly like being in Class B. If the numbers predicate us moving to Class A, I would be excited for the challenges that presents,” Porrovecchio said. “I don’t think the core components of sports change too much: helping young men and women become leaders, handle adversity, all those things sports help with, pairing them up with great coaches. … We want kids to become better kids and to leave here better human beings. I think sports is a critical component of that.”
