Boosters set for big year
HUNTLEY — When thousands of football fans descend on the Huntley homecoming game against Hampshire Sept. 22, the Huntley High School Athletic Boosters (HHSAB) will be ready in an already busy year.
“We will have our fabulous beverage cart out there and parading around in the fabulous way she should be showcased. We will rock the disco theme for the homecoming parade,” HHSAB President Shannon Corso said.
The HHSAB concession stand will be stocked with goodies and staffed by the Boosters members. Spirit wear will be ready for sale Friday. The HHSAB group’s mission is to “promote the welfare of our student athletes by providing both volunteer service and foster an environment of school spirit throughout the community.”
The HHS Athletic Boosters Board and chairmen are led by Coroso, in her second year as president after serving as vice president. Carrie Padget is vice president and Kathy Heitkemper, treasurer and Jay Baedke as concession stand chairman, who are in their second year. Heidi Harlow is the new secretary and Jay Sargent is the new communications chair.
Long-time board members are, Melanie Ottavino, eight years, now fundraising coordinator after seven as board secretary; Heather Carter and Ana Winger, both who are in their seventh years leading spirit wear efforts
HHS Athletic Director Glen Wilson praised the Boosters’ efforts.
“The Athletic Boosters are off to a great start this year in supporting our student athletes and supporting our many events,” Wilson said.“ In addition, the Boosters have incorporated some new ideas for this year like a mobile, concessions cart, cashless payment options and engaging mechanisms to solicit even more volunteers. It is a pleasure to work with this group and its leadership have some terrific components to further the club’s impressive footprint.”
The organization recently assisted specific team projects including: weight room renovation, a $35,000 investment; baseball scoreboard, $26,000; football scoreboard, $40,000 and new wrestling mat, $11,000.
For 2023-24, a retractable netting system to assist in retrieving soccer and lacrosse balls is planned. “There are also wooden record plaques on the walls of the East Gym we are looking to replace and make cohesive with all the same layout, plaque style and size. Currently it’s sort of a ‘word salad’ with record years, athlete names and their sport all mismatched with the previous years.”
New this year, for the concession stand hours, volunteers can realize specific dollar amounts going to their respective teams. For example, for eight volunteer hours, it’s $500; for 16 volunteer hours, $1,000 and for 32 volunteer hours, $1,500.
Scholarships for individual student-athletes are another annual endeavor.
“To date, we have given out about $30,000 in scholarships to some of our outstanding athletes,” Coroso commented. “We are discussing increasing our scholarships but currently it is one $1,000 and four $500 scholarships we hand out. Last year, we had a tie for first place and handed out two $1,000 awards and four $500 awards. This again speaks to the fact that every dime we spend directly or indirectly goes back to our student athletes.”
New this year, there is an incentive program for concession stand volunteer hours. For eight volunteer hours, a specific team receives $500; for 16 volunteer hours, $1,000 and for 32 volunteer hours, $1,500.
