Joplin V
Jeff Starkweather, Athletic Director of Joplin High School, stands on what remains of the hardwood court in Kaminsky Gymnasium, the school's field house, which was destroyed in last month's EF-5 tornado. Baseball, softball, soccer and tennis facilities were also destroyed in the storm. JEFF LAUTENBERGER/Tulsa World
One month after the Joplin tornado, football moves on. Although the high school itself was destroyed (students will temporarily occupy a former high school and temporary classroom at Northpark Mall) Joplin’s football stadium, Junge Field, was undamaged by the storm. I made two portraits of Joplin’s athletic director. After much debate, the top one showing the damaged gym ran six columns on the sports front. I’m still not sure which I like better.
Jeff Starkweather, Athletic Director of Joplin High School, stands outside the school's destroyed field house, with tennis courts and other damaged athletic fields behind him. JEFF LAUTENBERGER/Tulsa World
Almost a month after an EF-5 tornado ravaged Joplin and its high school, much looks the same. Piles of scrap are pushed up against the school on all sides, the perimeter around the school is fenced off and officials have yet to deem the building itself safe to enter. JEFF LAUTENBERGER/Tulsa World
Student bleacher seating in Kaminsky Gymnasium at Joplin High School is littered with debris and cinderblock, open to the elements to reveal damage caused by the May 22nd tornado. The roof of the gym collapsed along with portions of the rest of the high school. JEFF LAUTENBERGER/Tulsa World
Joplin High School's Eagle logo, painted in a hallway corridor, is seen through a blown-out window visible from 20th Street on the north side of the school on June 16, 2011. JEFF LAUTENBERGER/Tulsa World
Joplin High School pole vaulter and softball player Mariah Sanders stands in front of the twisted metal remains of the school's softball scoreboard on June 16, 2011. Just days after the May 22nd tornado destroyed her home, Sanders, who will be a senior this fall, placed 10th in Missouri's Class 4 pole vaulting championship and received a standing ovation from the crowd at Lincoln University. JEFF LAUTENBERGER/Tulsa World
Kelli Whitenberg, mother of Joplin senior Austin Whitenberg, watches the football team practice at Junge Stadium on June 16, 2011. Football goes on for the Eagles, despite not having a home school to return to this season. JEFF LAUTENBERGER/Tulsa World
Joplin High School head football coach Chris Shields holds a brief meeting after summer practice camp at Junge Stadium on June 16, 2011. This will be Shields' first season at Joplin; he accepted the coaching job in February. JEFF LAUTENBERGER/Tulsa World
our girls basketball team wants to help your girls bb team (or any of the girls sports) We are collecting tee shirts, shorts, shoes, etc. We need your girls basketball coaches number???
[...] were serious portraits taken under extreme circumstances…like Joplin athletic director Jeff Starkweather, standing on [...]