Lowell Athletic Booster Club, April 2008
Present: Herb Steuer, Kim Koza, John Fenner, Ed Eldred, Sam Gruskowski, Sue Scott, Deanna Harber, Patti McCormack. Guests: Super fan Eddie, Jim Langen, Larry Workman, Kelly Steuer, Sandra Nantais.
Secretary’s Report: Minutes reviewed. Motion to accept by Deanna, second Sam.
Treasurer’s Report: Reviewed. Will be filed for audit.
Opening Comments: Welcome to Jim and Larry with discussion as to forming an alliance (Inferno Alliance) to specifically address LHS Football/Athletic facilities. Over the past two weeks talks between Herb, Don Bales, and Central Office kicked off a drive to form a community support group to help raise awareness and funds to update the facilities within the inferno. Central office has committed to address the bleachers with coordination and funding of approximately $ 300,000.00. There is a shortfall of monies to pay for updating the Press Box and an additional concession stand. The alliance is being formed to engage the community in efforts to raise funds to address these issues. Ed made a motion to form this Alliance, second Deanna, motion carried. The Athletic Boosters will start the fund with seed money in the amount of $ 20,000.00 to be put into a new account specifically for the Inferno Alliance. A motion was made by Sam and seconded by Sue, motion carried. It was also discussed that the bond for the booster club would need to be raised; the target for the Alliance at this time is $100,000.00 to begin with work on the Press Box. Questions followed: Will the field be taken care of? It was reported by Herb that he was informed that is on the agenda to be taken care of at a later date. Why start with the Press Box and not the concession stand? Answer: Funding. The alliance will address one thing at a time and permitting issues with the concession stand defer this. The general consensus is that the important issues that need to be addressed first are 1) Bleachers (safety and handicap accessible) 2) Press Box (Target date of August 15) 3) Concession Stand (perhaps next year). Jim and Larry will be heading the Community’s interest in the Alliance, working in direct contact with the Booster Club. Jim and Larry are asking for anyone and everyone’s help with time and ideas. A few suggestions on fundraising included: Noted in Program Books, Bricks with names of donors (larger bricks for larger donations, etc.) placed in ground leading out to the Inferno, Seating arrangements for donors in bleachers. Fundraising letters to be sent to as many LHS alum as possible (a list needs to be started, with possibly googling addresses). The Alliance is seeking any ideas that may help the cause.
A picture was taken by Sandra Nantais (Lowell Tribune) of Herb, Jim and Larry for a kick off article to be run next week. Jim, Larry and Sandra left the meeting at this time.
Athletic Director’s Report:
Newsletter update, it was decided to move away from the written newsletter and to go for a Web base. It was discussed to have all items formerly in the written newsletter now be put on the website. A special section on the interest survey will address this for hopefully some volunteers to coordinate.
Hall of Fame discussion
Senior Banquet: Kim Koza chair will address seating and centerpieces. Mr. Sufana will do the set up of the table chart. Discussion on price of Senior Dinner, printing of tickets (Karen Mize will order from Koz’s), the need for possible callers on or about May 4th to the seniors who have not responded, set up will be Friday the 16th, booster members wishing to attend need to RSVP and pay for their dinner.
Physical Night: Chair for Nurses and workers: Kim Sgouroudis. Need to update Booster Membership Form and Interest Survey prior to physical night. Need to check with Kari on pins, cards, etc. Discussion on having magnets made up with Booster info and website info- Kelly will look into.
Service Certificates: Herb is taking care of
Discussion on letters from TJ and Jeff (All Star Game). Patti will contact them for the amount they still need to raise, will notify Boosters so it can be voted on.
Kay Sampson: Discussion on date: Last Friday in July, the 25th. Herb will call course, Patti will check with football staff on any conflicts with date.
President’s Agenda:
Senior Pictures: Ed reported he believes the following are still missing: Trainers and Boys Swim. He will contact Bobby Wong and Sandra Nantais (someone believes she took pictures at the swim meets), also Coach Bader. He will also contact the Werblo’s to see exactly where we stand. Spring pictures are to be taken by:
Baseball: Erin Hamm, also Donovans and Haydens
Softball: Gina Nida
Boys Track: Frank Roselle & Cathy Sienko
Tennis: Angie Parilac and Jo Ann Revere
Girls Track: unknown
Trainers: unknown
Golf: unknown
Ed is suppose to contact: Mr. Hendricks (gave girl’s track speech at preseason), Mr. Williams (Jake Bennet’s dad) golf.
Spring Concession: upcoming events: Lowell Relays (4/29), Girl’s Track Sectional (5/13) Also, Sue reported that help was needed on 4/21 at a Track Meet, she and Mary are unavailable. Sam and Kim will open, work and close. Help is also needed on 5/1. Sue also reported that the middle school will be hosting three meets at the high school. The middle school volleyball team will be running the concession stand, although it is believed that the boosters will purchase the food (need to clarify).
Physical Night: Kelly reported that she saw Kim S. and Kim did say she was on top of scheduling of nurses and workers. Sue will try and get Kim to give her a list for our May meeting
Nominating Committee: John Fenner reported that he was unable to fill any of the open positions. Partial slate was presented:
President – open
1st VP- John Fenner
2nd VP – open
Secretary – Jane Nelson
Treasurer – Kim Koza
Member – Sam G.
Member – Deanna
Member – Sue Scott
Sergeant at Arms - Eddie
John Fenner reported that he had an individual interested in the Treasurer position after Kim’s next term. The board requested he ask her to come on board as a member at large next year to become acquainted with the board prior to the Treasurer’s position. It was at this time that Sue Scott said she would move to 2nd Vice President, leaving a member at large position available. Herb volunteered to remain as president for one more year.
Currently Slate for 2008 Elections
President – Herb Steuer
1st VP- John Fenner
2nd VP – Sue Scott
Secretary – Jane Nelson
Treasurer – Kim Koza
Member – Sam G.
Member – Deanna
Member –
Sergeant at Arms - Eddie
Motion to adjourn: Deanna, second Sue.