Kamala Harris' VP pick Tim Walz attends Minnesota high school game, where he was once a coach

By Ishika Dadhwal

Modified Oct 12, 2024 13:47 GMT

Tim Walz, the Democratic vice presidential candidate and Governor of Minnesota, made a special appearance at a high school football game in Mankato. This Friday night, he was at Blakeslee Stadium to watch the Mankato West Scarlets take on the Mankato East Cougars.

This matchup, known as the "Jug Game," results in the Kato Jug going to the victor. Mankato West has dominated this matchup with 18 consecutive victories.

Walz previously served as a teacher and defensive coordinator at Mankato West High School. During his coaching tenure, the Scarlets clinched their inaugural state championship in 1999.

Before the game kicked off at 7 p.m., Tim Walz addressed the team captains and suggested they have fun on the field. The game ended with the Scarlets taking the Kato Jug home after beating the Cougars 28-7.

Mankato West alum Jimmy Baker was also present in the stands to watch the game. Feeling nostalgic as his former assistant coach was present there, Baker shared his thoughts on it.

“Seeing Mr. Walz is a great thing. I think he's a great person. I feel nostalgic in an amazing way," Baker said.

Tim Walz's coaching legacy

Before his political ascent, Tim Walz made a huge impact on the Mankato West football program. He turned around a struggling team and led it to a state championship.

Mankato West had an ongoing losing streak for 27 straight games until Walz and a new coaching staff were hired. Walz's coaching philosophy focused on building strong relationships with his players. This approach, along with his innovative 4-4 defensive scheme, helped to revitalize the program.

In a video posted by the Kamala Harris-Walz campaign, former Mankato West coach Rick Sutton said:

"The program was really struggling. We were going through some really, really lean years. One of the things that helped us was [Walz's] ability to build relationships with students.”

The 1999 state championship victory was a defining moment in Walz's career. Initially, during that year, Makato West lost a few games but later ended up winning the title.

"I don’t think we would’ve won that state championship if we hadn’t lost at the beginning of the season," Walz said. "It taught us grit, resilience, and the true meaning of teamwork. Each player stayed in his lane and did his part to bring home that first state title."

Tim Walz has often referenced his time as a coach in his speeches. He also emphasizes the importance of collaboration, perseverance and a commitment to serving others.