Sponsored By
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
PINE RIVER — Kyle Crocker has a new home.
The 2010 Brainerd graduate and Warrior Hall of Famer is the new activities director at Pine River-Backus. He replaces Tim Tungseth, who had the position since 2020.
ADVERTISEMENT
“I grew up in sports and have been in activities and athletics my whole life,” Crocker said. “I came back to Brainerd and I got to work with (former Brainerd activities director) Charlie Campbell quite a bit and got to see (current Brainerd activities director) Jack (Freeman) come in and start fresh and I loved what he did. I’ve always had an eye for being an AD and wanted to do it. This opportunity popped up and I jumped on it. I love the community and everyone I talked to has said great things about it.”
Crocker was hired Thursday, July 31, and met the PRB parents his second day on the job. The first day for fall sports practice is Monday, Aug. 10.
“I have done the best I could to try and get everything I needed and try to get fall sports up and running in one week in a new district,” Crocker said. “It’s been chaotic, but it’s been exciting and a fun challenge.”
Crocker is in close contact with Tungseth throughout the process of him accepting the job and making sure the transition is smooth.
“Tim has been great,” Crocker said. “He sent me an email congratulating me and told me where he’s at and if I needed any help to give him a call. I took him up on that and have called him a few times and texted him just to get an opinion. He’s been nothing but helpful. He sent me about 50 contacts that he had and has been a crutch for me to lean on during my first week.”
Crocker played baseball at the University of Minnesota and returned to Brainerd in 2015. He got a sports management degree from the University of Minnesota and ended up getting his teaching license.
He was a coach in football, basketball and baseball at various levels for the Warriors. It was hard for him to step away from Brainerd.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Brainerd is where I played sports and I coached there for a long time,” Crocker said. “It’s a transition seeing Pine River-Backus under my name and not Brainerd. I’m excited to get into a fresh district and a fresh town and put my fingerprint on that.”
Crocker did have to give up coaching the Brainerd ninth grade team. He had been on the Brainerd Warrior football coaching staff since head coach Jason Freed’s first season in 2020.
“That was a tough call to make after I accepted that position,” Crocker said. “I felt terrible to jump ship this close to the season, but it was the best move for me and my family. Coach Freed was super supportive and respectful about it.”
Crocker wants to prepare the Pine River-Backus students for life after high school and create leaders in the community.
“The four years in high school go quick,” he said. “I want to support them through the adversity and struggles they have and give them the best possible opportunity that they can have with their athletics and other activities.”
Crocker and his wife, Leah, have two sons Colson and Cohen.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
