PULASKI, WI- Pulaski High School’s Red Raiders are welcoming a seasoned coaching veteran to lead their boys’ basketball program. John Polkowski, a familiar figure in the Fox River Classic Conference (FRCC), has taken the reins as the new head coach.
Polkowski brings a wealth of coaching experience to Pulaski, having previously served as the head boys’ varsity coach at Green Bay Southwest for an impressive decade. His tenure at Southwest was marked by remarkable achievements, including a stellar 22-3 season in 2019. During that season, Polkowski’s squad clinched the FRCC title and advanced to the sectional finals, where they faced a formidable Kaukauna team.
Janel Batten, Pulaski High School’s athletic director, expressed her excitement about having Coach Polkowski on board: “We are excited for the opportunity to have Coach Polkowski lead our young men in the sport of basketball at Pulaski High School. John is a familiar face in the FRCC and has a plethora of successful coaching experience. We were fortunate and grateful to have Coach Shaw here leading the way the past several years, but we know we are in great hands with Coach Polkowski.”
In addition to his coaching prowess, Polkowski has been serving as the manager of Student Engagement, Attendance, and Advocacy for the Green Bay School District since June. Before that, he taught for eight years at Green Bay Southwest and four years at Syble Hopp School in De Pere. Polkowski has also been the assistant athletic director at Green Bay Southwest since August 2017.
Polkowski’s dedication to education is evident through his academic achievements. He earned a master’s degree in education (K-12 principalship) from the University of Wisconsin-Superior in 2021 and holds a bachelor’s degree in education (physical education) from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, where he was not only a student-athlete but also a student assistant for one year while playing basketball.
Originally hailing from Goodman, Polkowski now resides in Hobart with his wife of 10 years, Sarah, and their three children: Bennett, 7; Tessa, 5; and Wren, 3, with the two eldest attending Hillcrest Elementary School.
Polkowski’s decision to step down from Green Bay Southwest came at a time when he believed the program was in good shape. However, when the opportunity to lead Pulaski’s basketball program arose, he seized it without hesitation, explaining, “This was not essentially part of the plan, but you never plan when opportunities come, and I feel this was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up in the moment.”
Accepting this role allows him to play a more significant role in the community where his family resides and his children attend school. Regarding Pulaski’s basketball legacy, he may not be fully acquainted with its history, but he acknowledges its strong tradition of success. Polkowski’s aim is to contribute in every possible way to further enhance the program, ensuring that Pulaski’s boys’ basketball remains aligned with the community’s athletic success and rich tradition.
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