by By Dan Ninham (Oneida)
The All Nations Football Conference is a 9-man league formed by eight tribal schools in South Dakota. The conference’s mission is to provide a positive football experience for tribal school athletes. Rather than being outsized and outmatched by public school competition, the conference strives to compete with opponents of equal size and match. The semi-finals will be held at the top seeds of each division on November 1st with the championship game being played at the DakotaDome on November 8, 2019 in Vermilion.
Select players from each of the four semi-final teams will be featured this week in a story with ndnsports.com.
Ethan Colombe is a 5-9 230 lb. junior offensive and defensive lineman for Lower Brule Tribal School, South Dakota. The #2 seeded East Division Lower Brule Kul Wicasa will be visiting the #1 West Division Red Cloud in the semi-finals of the inaugural All Nations Football Conference this Friday, November 1, 2019.
Ethan is a member of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe. He lives in Fort Thompson, SD. Ethan’s father is Eric Colombe of Fort Thompson, SD and his mother is Raelynn Wind of Logan, Utah. Both parents are also Crow Creek Sioux Tribe members.
“I am aggressive on the offensive and defensive line,” said Ethan. “I help my teammates both on and off the field. When it comes to game day I bring my focus along with my teammates on the win at the end of every game. I talk to the coaches when I see something different about our opponents in alignment or technique.”
“I treat other players of the game with respect along with the coaches,” said Ethan. “I always play with compassion for the game and push myself to do better every play. I care about my fellow teammates meeting their goals in the classroom as well as on the field.”
“The discipline from football and wrestling play major rules in my life,” said Ethan. “If it wasn’t for the sports I wouldn’t be who I am today. If we win or lose we are taught to forget about it and focus on what is ahead of us. Those losses show us that life will not always go our way but you have to keep pushing. Many people will think you cannot do certain tasks but you are ready to face that challenge.”
“My father Eric Colombe has made a huge impact on me being a student athlete,” said Ethan. “He always pushed to strive both in athletics and education. After games he gives me advice on what I need to work on to get better. My coaches for helping me achieve my goals as an athlete and pushing me to do better on and off the field.”
Ethan talked about his progress: “I made 1st Team East Division All Nations All-conference. I have increased my speed a lot since my knee injury during the 2016-17 season. I have created a bond with my teammates who are some great guys and I am going to keep working for the following season.”
Photograph Credit: Zeke Prado
