Chance Edman is the new activities director at Stevensville. A native, Edman came on board this summer to take over the program at Stevensville after a decade abroad, and an unexpected trip home.
Raised in Stevensville, Edman played baseball for the Bitterroot Bucs and soccer for the Stevi Sabres. After graduating from Gonzaga University with a Journalism degree, he and his wife Valerie took positions at an American international school in Malaysia. Edman built the athletic program as the Athletic Director and co-founded the international sports conference Asia Christian Schools Conference.
After nine years in Malaysia, and with three young children in tow, the family decided to take a year off to travel and work online. From Indonesia to Spain, Ireland to Scotland, their travels landed them in Germany as the COVID pandemic began to take hold in Europe.
The U.S. Embassy in Berlin contacted them in March to recommend they leave the country, or plan to stay indefinitely. Edman decided returning to Montana was the best decision, and the family left for London two days later.
Soon after arriving in Stevensville, the activities director position at Stevensville School District became available. The school is moving to a grades 7-12 AD position for the first time in years to make strides to improve the athletic program.
Edman remembered the impact the local sports teams had on the community in years past and felt compelled to take the opportunity to invest back into the community that gave him so much.
The activities program at Stevensville is on the brink of greatness, in Edman’s opinion. With a massive facilities overhaul on campus, a solid core of coaches and enthusiasm from the community on the rise, Edman hopes to recapture some of the greatness in previous SHS sports teams.
“It will require a team effort,” Edman said. “One that extends beyond the campus. I want to think bigger. Our sports program will reflect the positive values of our community, and in turn inspire our community to be the best version of itself.”
With uncertainty surrounding high school sports this fall, Edman plans to offer a steady hand of leadership through this year. Top priority is allowing students to play the game they love in the safest manner possible.