07/16/2026
Below is from Coach Megan.
Good morning everyone!
I hope you're all doing well! Today, I'm excited to introduce something that I hope becomes a lasting tradition for soccer in Menomonie. Mustang Rising was created with one simple idea: every young athlete deserves to feel like they're already part of the Mustang family long before they ever step onto a high school field. Growing up, our high school football program had an "Adopt-a-Bulldog" tradition. While I wasn't part of the program, I always admired what it created. Young athletes weren't just spectators, they had someone to look up to. They proudly wore their shirts, looked forward to meeting their players after games, and felt connected to something bigger than themselves. That sense of excitement, pride, and belonging stayed with me.
When I became the head coach of the Menomonie High School soccer programs, I wanted to bring that same feeling to soccer while expanding it into something even more meaningful. Mustang Rising is a youth mentorship program that connects boys and girls in 3rd through 8th grade with Menomonie High School soccer players. Every participant is paired with a high school mentor and becomes part of our program throughout the season.
As a Mustang Rising member, athletes will:
Receive an official Mustang Rising t-shirt.
Be paired with a Menomonie High School soccer player.
Attend select high school practices and spend time with the team.
Serve as a ball boy or ball girl during designated varsity matches.
Meet their mentor on the field following select home games.
Participate in additional activities and experiences throughout the season designed to build lasting memories and inspire a lifelong love for soccer.
Families can participate for $40 per season or $70 for the full year, allowing athletes to experience both the boys and girls soccer seasons. But Mustang Rising is about far more than shirts or game-day experiences. Like many communities, Menomonie has experienced a decline in youth participation in soccer over the years. Rebuilding a program doesn't happen overnight, it happens by creating excitement, fostering relationships, and giving young athletes something they can't wait to be part of.
My vision is for every Mustang Rising participant to stand on the sideline this fall and spring, look up to their Mustang mentor, and dream about the day they're the high school player welcoming the next generation. My hope is that every participant walks away believing they belong, that one day they'll wear a Mustang jersey, mentor the next generation, and continue the tradition. That's how lasting memories are created, stronger programs are built, and communities rally around their athletes. This isn't just about today's teams, it's about investing in the future of soccer in Menomonie.
I've attached the program information and registration details. Because each of your organizations plays an important role in supporting youth athletics, I would be incredibly grateful if you would help us spread the word by sharing Mustang Rising with your families through email, newsletters, websites, and social media. Thank you for everything you do to support youth athletics and for considering being part of Mustang Rising's inaugural season.
My hope is that Mustang Rising becomes a community tradition, one that complements the incredible work already being done by our schools, clubs, and youth organizations while giving every young player another reason to fall in love with the game.
Thank you for your partnership and support.
Warm regards,
Megan Fricker
Head Coach | Boys & Girls Soccer
