Hi-Line Sports: An AD's Perspective: Chinook's Paula Molyneaux

Over the last two decades, Chinook High School athletics have undergone many changes and athletic director Paula Molyneaux has been around for pretty much all of them.

In her more than 20 years serving as both head coach of the Chinook track team, as well as the school's athletic director, Molyneaux has seen her fair share of state championships, memorable moments and, of course, changes.

The biggest change during her tenure came more than 10 years ago, when the Sugarbeeters made the move from playing Class B sports to Class C. And while the change wasn't drastic for all sports, it certainly was for football as the Beeters went from playing 11-Man football to 8-Man.

"I think the biggest difference is just all the rules and things that we have to adhere to now," Molyneaux said of the changes coming about from the move from Class B. "We actually didn't decrease the number of sports that we offered, we increased it. We added speech and drama, which isn't necessarily a sport, but it is an activity.

"The biggest thing we were struggling with was the 11-Man football," She added. "So, we went to the MHSA and asked, if we could just play 8-Man football and stay in Class B for the rest?' We knew we were borderline, but at that time it wasn't within their guidelines to be able to do that."

Now, as time has passed on, the MHSA is looking at adopting policies that would allow teams to do just that and it would do so by examining football separately from other sports. Yet, the move would not likely affect Chinook. It could potentially if it moved to Class B, because under the new rule, schools could participate in Class B sports, but if they qualified, could still play 8-Man football.

"We are either a big Class C school or a really little Class B school, based on the numbers," Molyneaux said. "Now, because there are many schools that are finding themselves in that situation, MHSA is looking at schools that hit a certain enrollment area, allowing them to play 8-Man football, while also staying in Class B for the rest of their sports."

Chinook has routinely had one of the highest enrollments in Class C, like in 2014-15, when its spring enrollment was 132 according to the MHSA, higher than that of a number of Class B school.

Those numbers, along with the success the Beeters have enjoyed at the 8-Man level, particularly in recent years with football state championships in 2010 and 2015, as well as a runner-up finish in 2014, have stirred questions among rival schools. And while many assumed Chinook would make the eventual jump back to Class B, with enrollment numbers dipping again, Molyneaux doesn't believe that will happen.

"Right now, our enrollment is dropping just like we predicted it would after we lost that really big senior class last year," Molyneaux said. "We are back below 120 and based on our numbers and where we think we are going to go, we will probably be under 115 and that will keep us in Class C without having to move or go anywhere."

Yet with all winning on the football field, as well as numerous state championships in other sports such as wrestling (seven state titles) and volleyball, which also captured a state title in 2005 after going down, the cry from competitors has often been that the Beeters belong in Class B.

"The MHSA is always looking at how to make things better for the state of Montana," Molyneaux said. "There are things in the works that aren't public yet and I can't necessarily comment on them, but they are looking at everything. So right now, we are under that 120 guideline and we are Class C legitimately.

"You never know where it's going to go or how it's going to affect us and that's kind of where we are at right now," She added. "If something changes and we have to go to B, we go and we adjust. We will abide by the guidelines, whatever they are."

Despite their willingness to follow the rules, Molyneaux and others in the sports community have heard the complaints about classification, which she admitted have become frustrating.

"You get a little tired of hearing that you shouldn't be here," Molyneaux said in regards to Chinook being Class C. "We are going to abide by the guidelines. Wherever our numbers go, we will abide by that, but right now, our numbers say we are Class C."

Even though Chinook has captured 11 state championships at the Class C level, the Beeters have won in other sports, that haven't been affected by classification changes, such as in tennis, where the Chinook girls have won four state championships since the move from Class B. However, in tennis, there is no Class C competition, it's B/C, which means the field would be the same regardless.

Yet, at some point, no matter what level, the players and coaches should be recognized for their achievements, which is who Molyneaux credited for the success.

"I think part of it, is that we have some very good coaches," Molyneaux said. "I think we have a lot of experience and we have been able to keep a lot of our coaches and I think that has made a big difference in being able to develop those athletes. But, a lot of the credit has to go to the athletes themselves. They are the ones that are putting the work in and lifting weights in the summer. So they really are the ones that deserve the credit, because they are the ones actually doing it."

While there is little doubt that Chinook is one of the most successful athletic programs in the state, it's not just because the Beeters win; it's because they participate at high levels.

"I think that what we have been able to do well is getting kids to participate," Molyneaux said. "Some of that probably has to do with the community, because our community is great and very, very supportive of our students."

Of course, sports are played in part, to determine a winner and a loser, but sometimes, just playing the game can make a student-athlete a winner in the long run, by simply adding to their overall educational experience.

"I think, number one, the involvement is key," Molyneaux said. "It gives them something to buy into and set goals for and to have some fun with classmates and have pride in their school. All of those things tie together. We often times see that our best students, are our most involved. It teaches them to manage their time and work well with others, achieve goals, cope with failure and success. It's a huge integral part of their education."

For the better part of 20 years, whether it has come from Paula or her husband Matt Molyneaux, who was formerly the head football coach, the Molyneux's have been key contributors to the athletic side of education at Chinook High School. Hopefully, for the sake of the Beeters' student-athletes, that's one thing that doesn't change anytime soon.

Editor's Note: This is the second installment in our series on the challenges local athletic directors are facing these days. For part three, see Tuesday's Havre Daily News.