by By Dan Ninham (Oneida)
The Bay Port Pirates football team are undefeated and ranked 2nd in the state of Wisconsin in Division 1.
The center on the offensive line is 6’2, 275 lb., junior Oneida Nation member Shako Danforth. His full Oneida name is Shako?nikuhlaketskwas, he lifts their spirits. Shako’s parents are Redmon and Katsi?tsiyo Danforth of Oneida, Wisconsin.
‘We do our best as parents to keep Shako connected to his identity, the community and our beliefs,” said Katsi?tsiyo. “Shako is the teammate or opponent that will help you up, offer a friendly high-five or offer you encouragement. He is a very humble player and person!”
“He has volunteered for events in the Oneida Community and within the Howard School district. His Grandpa and Uncle get him out in the woods to help with wood cutting, hauling, stalking and our family’s sugar camp,” added Katsi?tsiyo.
Shako comes from strong athletic genes from both sides of the families of Redmon and Katsi?tsiyo, including Van Roy Thomas, Artley Skenadore, Sr. and Redmon Danforth, Sr. He shares his football passion with Grandpa Art Jr. who enjoys watching him play.
Redmon Sr. was a football player and a golden gloves boxer “with a devastating left”, said Katsi?tsiyo. He fought under ACE Boxing of Milwaukee, Wisconsin with manager Del Porter. Art Jr. was a Sports Illustrated High School All American Honorable Mention player out of Anoka High School, Anoka, Minnesota. He played college football at St. Olaf College.
The Oneida core values include Kahletsyalu’sla, the heartfelt encouragement of the best in each of us. “I have knowledge and understanding of our language and culture,” said Shako. “Still learning our ways. You greet each day as a gift and work yourself physically and mentally to have a good mind.”
“What makes a good football player?” said Grandpa Art Jr., Principal and Athletic Director, Oneida Nation School System. “Strength, Football IQ, Speed, Endurance are all attributes that have great impact when blended with the important ingredients of character, passion, commitment to excellence and the most important quality – “spirit”! This young man has the collective ability that every football program looks for; whether he is in the classroom or on the field you can expect the same effort of commitment to excellence that is guided by his strength of spirit!”
Shako?nikuhlaketskwas, he lifts their spirits.
Our traditional teachings talk of the people who came before us and we should acknowledge them. These people can also be in the immediate context. “I have years of experience on the O-line, was the starting center last year which was my sophomore year,” said Shako. “I was able to learn from the upperclassmen. I have been playing football since the fourth grade. Played for the Westside Wolverines, Allouez Buccaneers and now my team is the Bay Port Pirates.”
“My expectations are to play well as a team every single game and to have the opportunity to compete at Camp Randall for the State title,” said Shako.
Athletics helps young people on their journey to be empowered leaders. ”The work ethic required of a student athlete is pretty intense, some days seem a lot longer than others,” said Shako. “I plan to go to college and athletics has helped me stay focused in the classroom. My advice to other student athletes is to stay caught up on your work and be prepared.”
Gary Westerman, Bay Port Head Coach and Matt Jorgenson, Assistant Coach, Head O-line Coach are the varsity football coaching leaders. “Both coaches have helped me grow as a player and as a young man. I have much respect and appreciation for them,” added Shako.
“Shako is a great player but even better human,” said head football coach Gary Westerman. “He is one of the hardest workers and most liked players on our roster. He is tough and physical on the field yet has a very funny charismatic personality off the field. He is mentally tough knows his position inside and out and competes like crazy. He is an amazing player even better person and a pleasure to coach.”
Head O-line Coach Matt Jorgenson said: “He is a very good football player, but even better person. You enjoy being around him and coaching him. He’s a great kid off the field, but has a mean streak on the field, which you love as an offensive line coach. You can tell all the other players on the team genuinely like him. He started for us as a sophomore and it was cool to see how the other players, specifically the upper classmen, gravitated towards him. With wrestling and Lacrosse, he’s a 3-sport athlete, but he shows up to everything in terms of offseason lifting and conditioning. Shako is just a pleasure to coach.”
Shako is prepared and preparing for the next game day.
