The winter sports at Clarke Central High School collect dues and host fundraisers to help fund the teams. Each team does different types of fundraisers before and throughout the season. “It’s changed over the years. Some years we used to sell boxes of meat. I think we sold boxes of meat for a couple of years,” wrestling coach Philip Walter said. “And then for a few years we sold these pizza cards.” Cartoon by Ashley Lawrence.
By MACKENZIE CAUDILL – Staff Writer
Fundraising and payments for winter sports can look very different for some sports depending on the strategies to raise the money.
Clarke Central High School winter sports like wrestling and swimming fundraise before and during their seasons to lower the athletes’ dues.
“This was my first year doing swim but I think everyone ended up paying around $300,” sophomore Davis Ledford said. “I think everyone should have the same opportunities and that cost should not hold students back.”
The payments from each swimmer are essential to help pay for the use of the Ramsey Student Center pool and the swimsuits. Due to the high cost, the team did a fundraiser to help.
“We were required to sell, I think, two to three items from a catalog that had stuff like wrapping paper and home decor,” Ledford said.
CCHS wrestlers earned their money by selling coffee provided by Jittery Joes.
“It’s a necessary evil,” wrestling coach Philip Walter said. “We’re a small non-revenue making sport and this is what you have to do.”
Wrestlers also had the option of paying $150 to obtain merchandise but were not required to pay any athlete dues like the swim team. According to Walter, this way everyone who wants to be on the team is, regardless of cost. This also means the wrestling team has to find other ways to get the funds.
“We are a coaching staff of communication. We’re in a sport that is very very difficult both physically and mentally and we understand that,” Walter said. “So we understand what the boys give us every single day. We communicate very well with them. We understand the nature of this school. That’s never happened since I’ve been a part of the staff.”
