Get to know Henley HS football team members, brothers Alex and Shaw Stork
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. — The best coaches share the attributes of great big brothers–they model, they help develop, they make young men want to be the best version of themselves.
What happens in that incredibly unique circumstance when the coach and the big brother are the same person? This is the case of Alex Stork, 29-year-old head football coach at Henley High School in Klamath Falls. It is uncertain how the record books would reflect this, but it is probably safe to say that very few circumstances in the history of Oregon football involve an older brother coaching his younger brother. 聽Indeed, there are storied father-son coaching duos, but rarely is the opportunity for a young football coach to take the helm of a team and have, at his right hand, his starting quarterback, also be his little brother.
Such is indeed the case for Klamath Falls鈥� Henley Hornets Football team, where the Hornets are led by little brother Shaw Stork, who is starting his second season as QB of the second ranked 4A program in the state.
Alex Stork, who grew up in Klamath Falls and played at crosstown rival Klamath Union Highschool was a star on the gridiron at Klamath Union, also playing quarterback and earning Skyline Defensive Player of the Year and Oregon First Team All-State honors at middle linebacker in 2011, shattering records as a three-sport athlete. Alex鈥檚 college career included captain and standout on the 2014 NAIA National Championship Raiders Football Team at Southern Oregon University.
After a stint coaching in college, he was incredibly privileged to take the reins as the youngest head coach in Oregon when he signed on with a Hornets at the age of just 22. Little did he know that part of the beauty of this new assignment would be the honor and joy of coaching his two younger brothers at Henley, Beau, age 20, and Shaw, age 18.聽
The values learned through sports participation last a lifetime. According to Alex, the opportunity to coach your younger brother as a quarterback, captain and leader of the team is a gift. Alex shares that the values of this relationship are realized well before they take the field. The friendship, the bonding, the nurturing of their relationship transcends the competition and the on-field action of Friday Night lights.
However, make no doubt, the Friday nights have been special. Since his little brother, a decade younger, took over the quarterback position, Friday nights have produced consistently one thing 鈥� wins. Coach Stork is 15 – 2 with post season play and his little brother guiding the Hornets. Shaw was also Offensive Player of the Year, last year, in the Skyline Conference, in his first year as the starting QB. Shaw is quick to give high praise to his head coach and older brother.
鈥�I respect Alex so much. He has always supported my efforts and encouraged my growth, as a player, a person and spiritually,鈥� said the youngest Stork. 鈥淗aving his direction on the sideline is a confidence booster. His encouragement can be both quiet and filled with energy, but always with full investment in making sure each of his players is getting better while we grow as a football team family.鈥�
Coach Alex Stork was keenly aware of this family talent that was waiting in the wings. Alex quietly, but candidly and respectfully, approached his dad, Dave Stork, and said, 鈥淒ad, he might not just be a great quarterback he may be the best player I will have ever coached.鈥�
Add to this wonderful mix the fact that Shaw’s oldest brother, Andrew, was also a quarterback at Klamath Union in 2009 and served a season as the JV Coach for Henley during Alex鈥檚 first year of coaching. It allowed Alex to know and trust that the training, technique, and playbook of the developing junior varsity would be solid and ready for their varsity debut when the time came. Stork brother, and third age-wise in the Stork lineup is Beau, mentor to Shaw, and former free safety Henley Hornet, Beau a sophomore at Western Oregon University is heralded for his 鈥渁mazing game IQ鈥� and makes time to get to the Hornets games each week, serving as a coach in the box, helping with play calling and game analysis, for the Hornets on Friday nights.
This brotherhood continues to grow, and to provide the Stork family with great appreciation for the gifts of sons who respect, value and root for one another.
Alex summarizes the unique and rewarding experience of being a band of real-life brothers and gridiron guys.
鈥�Coaching my brothers has been a great blessing of my life,” said Coach Alex Stork. “I am grateful that we get to share this experience together and that I have been able to contribute to聽their development as young men.”
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