St. Thomas More Preparatory      Minutes of Booster’s Meeting        12/9/08

Members Present:   
Eric J. Brown, Ed Christian, Gina Shuck, James Shepherd, Lolly Espey, Linda Darling, Debi Doan, Grant Doan, Bill Windett, Bill Carroll, Eric D’Antonio, Mary Beth Riecks, Marie Hudson, Christine Perry, Bill Binder, John Micek, Lynn Price, Tim McGloin. Lori Smiertka

Call to Order:  Gina Shuck at 7:00pm 
Motion made and seconded that minutes from last meeting be approved.

Treasurer’s Report:  Linda Darling
Current operating balance is $10,059.00.  Of this total, $6,299.00 are restricted.  Leaving $3,759.00 as a net operating balance.

Athletic Director’s Report:  Bill Windett
New uniforms were ordered and received for Girls Basketball , Boy’s Basketball, and Wrestling.  The girls uniforms came to approx. $2300.00 but Coach LaPenta reports that he no longer has a donor to pay for them.  A fund raiser will have to be planned by the girls teams.   The boys uniforms came to approx. $2800.00 and he still has yet to receive the check from the donor.  Jim Shepherd reported that as soon as he had a copy of the invoice Bill Windett would receive the donor’s check.  The Wrestling uniforms and gear arrived and came to approx.  $900.00.  Gina Shuck reported that we have received approx. $600.00 from  the wrestling drive and Boosters has another $300.00 in reserve, so the wrestling uniforms are paid for as well as the gear.  Bill Windett would like it recorded that the Athletic Dept. will no longer order new uniforms based on a promise of a donor; he must see the money first and then will order uniforms.

The AD also reported on preparations for the upcoming Christmas Basketball tournament.  He will not be able to be there and will have Boosters run the tournament.  He stated what teams would be playing, times and ticket sales etc.  He will be available on an advisory status, however. 
AD also reported on how well the Wrestling team is doing competitively and mentioned several athletes by name who have distinguished themselves.
Lastly, AD reported that a steering committee comprised of various faculty members,  some local physicians (who have hopes of generating the  operating funds), and some parents had determined that STMP will be able to offer  a Varsity Football program next year.  It was estimated by Mr. Windett that the approx. cost of starting up such a program would be in the $60,000-$100,000 range in the short term…and in the long term, would require approx. 1.1 million if a stadium were to be built.  4 games have been scheduled for next  Fall  with teams which would be appropriate to play our first year out with a fledgling team.  A vigorous discussion ensued.  Initially, the AD reports we will be using 2 fields which need to be sodded and irrigated.  A turf stadium has been suggested by the steering committee to be our goal for the future.  The student body has been informed and approx. 30 boys have expressed interest.  Mr. Windett also has a line on the purchase of some used equipment and uniforms from another facility  that is aborting their program.  It is hoped that we will be opening up a stadium in the fall of 2010 with seating for 1000.   The next meeting scheduled for the Football Steering Committee is Jan. 6 at 7pm.  Mr. Windett was asked if these were public meetings where anyone could attend.  He requests that , for now, we keep the meetings with the present members only so that more could be accomplished.  It was requested by Gina Shuck that Boosters be able to have a representative there, namely, Jim Shepherd.  Mr. Windett agreed that Boosters should have a representative there.  Several parents present expressed concerns with regard to starting up a Football program:

Ed Christian: Expressed his concern that we make sure we have the competitive element required with regard to the student body.  He is concerned about the injuries which might be incurred with football.  Mr. Windett responded that he has scheduled games with teams that will be of equal measure with regard to skill and experience.

Mrs. Doan:  Expressed frustration with the idea of starting up a football program when we currently are not able to pay for new wrestling mats. 
Bill Carroll:  Expressed the opinion that Mr Windett’s estimate for start up is too low.  He was involved with the Indian River Township starting a football program and the estimate was $300,000.00   Mr. Windett responded that the doctors on the steering committee were going to be raising the funds, not Boosters, and that we needn’t be concerned with cost.

Mr. Shepherd :  Asked about the support offered from the Diocese with regard to Football; he voiced the concern that our boys would be very disappointed if what was promised, was not delivered.  Mr. Windett responded by letting Boosters know that he was not asking our permission, but simply announcing what had already been decided by administration.  He also offered that the Diocese is apparently supportive of a new Football program as long as it will be completely independently funded.

The AD was then questioned by Bill Binder as to what was happening with Boys Lacrosse and the need for a coach.  He offered up news of a web site where an ad might be placed.  Mr. Windett stated that he had interviewed 4 people.  There are some promising results, but he is still keeping his options open for interviewing any new candidates.

Principal’s Report:  Christine Perry
Ms. Perry reported that we had a great turnout for admissions testing for next year.  We had 60 students come out for the tests.  We have 4 new transfers as well, even this far into the school year.  Enrollment will be going up again!

Old News-Gina Shuck
Fall concessions brought in approx. $1600.00  A hearty thank you was offered to Lori Smiertka and Wendy Mahoney for chairing the indoor/outdoor concessions …also a word of thanks was offered to all the parents who had volunteered manhours to work the concessions.
Raven Wear-  Lots of Raven Wear was ordered and offered for sale at concessions and in the School Book Store.  Sales have been brisk!  Also, the new link on the school web site is up and running with Prep Sports Wear.
Alumni Basketball Tournament-  Over Thanksgiving break, the alumni bball tourney was a terrific success with a fabulous turn-out.  We had approx. 65 alumni come out for the event and Boosters made approx. $500.00 on concessions.  Free dinner was supplied for all alumni!
Alumni Newsletter-  The Alumni newsletter, spearheaded by Julie Warrington, was enthusiastically received and passed around the meeting.

New Business:  Gina Shuck
Varsity Wrestling Drive- So far, we have received approx. $600.00 from donors for our newly charged and aggressively coached Varsity Wrestling Team.  Eric. J. Brown was asked to apprise the Boosters of what’s happening with the new team and he enthusiastically complied:  We have 13 new wrestlers, up from 4 from previous years.  They have a new web site and the practises are unbelievably tough.  They have their new singlets, new warm-ups, and new head gear.  Gina Shuck showed off the new t-shirts designed by Turner Graphics and donated by an anonymous parent.   One parent recently observed a practice and voiced their opinion that these boys are serious and ready to go to state. 
Young Ravens Wrestling Tournament-Feb. 15-  Eric D’Antonio and John Micek passed out information relating to the upcoming tournament and the committees required to insure a successful event. Gina Shuck and Lolly Espey-Admissions, John Micek-Concessions, Other Committees required will be Parking, Scoring Tables, Publicity-John Micek, Eric D’Antonio.  Next planning meetings are tentatively scheduled for  Jan. 6 and Jan. 20 at the school.
Christmas Basketball Tournament-  Gina Shuck stated that she would be in charge of concessions for the two day event and would begin garnering volunteers immediately for two hour shifts.  She stated that Julie Warrington and Sharon Simpkiss would be meeting with her next week to discuss the mechanics of running the tournament itself.    Linda and Doug Darling and Fr. Lentini  have offered their help as well.

Closing:
Jim Shepherd  offered a motion to close and it was seconded by Marie Hudson.  Lolly Espey made a comment in closing that it was mandatory, in future meetings, to continue to have the AD and the principal in attendance as the Booster  cannot function properly without their input and involvement.
Meeting closed at 10:15pm

Recorded and Submitted by G. Shuck, Pres. Boosters, 2008/2009