Apollo, Tech football teams set to merge and join St. Cloud Crush co-op in 2027

ST. CLOUD — Following the 2021 co-op merger of multiple athletics programs between St. Cloud Apollo and St. Cloud Tech under the St. Cloud Crush moniker, the two schools were unanimously approved by the St. Cloud school board on Sept. 16 to add football to the co-op program starting in the 2027-28 season.

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Apollo football coach Mike Beehler told the St. Cloud Times he and his sole focus is finishing out the season for his seniors, rest of players and the coaches who have been with him the whole time. Players on Tech’s team shared the same sentiment.

“They all have put in a lot of time, effort, and commitment into Apollo football,” Beehler stated. “I want to make sure we give them the season they deserve. Once this season is complete, I will shift my focus toward the transition to the new Crush Co-op and what that means for me personally and making sure I do everything I can to help make Crush football a success.”

With the addition of football, the only sports not competing under the Crush co-op is boys basketball, boys soccer, volleyball, swim and dive, track and cross country.

The co-op also includes Rocori for Nordic Ski, Cathedral for most wrestling, hockey, lacrosse and includes Sauk Rapids for girl’s gymnastics.

With Tech’s pre-established football co-op with St. John’s Prep, it is uncertain at this time if the Johnnies will be included once football joins.

Apollo hosts Royalton on Sept. 18 as Tech travels to Breck.

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“Right now, both Tech and Apollo senior’s deserve to focus on the now,” Beehler stated. “So, it’s about finishing what we started and giving our seniors and the entire 2026 football team my full attention.”

The St. Cloud Times will continue to report on this story.

You can reach St. Cloud Times sports reporter David Jacobs and send story ideas to djacobs@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @davidrjacobs10

This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Apollo, Tech football teams set to merge and join St. Cloud Crush co-op in 2027