Preview: SWR board considering Athletics Club for fundraisers
In an effort to clear up legal issues and red tape over donations to the district’s athletic teams, the Shoreham-Wading River school board is expected Tuesday night to discuss creating a club for student athletes that could raise funds while still under district supervision.
Superintendent Steven Cohen said the “Athletics Club” would be a new extracurricular activity that would serve as an “umbrella club” for all the sports teams. Having a unified club for the athletic programs would make it easier for the teams to raise funds, he said.
“The teachers and students could fundraise like they do for any club,” Mr. Cohen said. “It just simplifies all the bureaucratic and legal problems.”
The superintendent said an initial draft of the club would allow separate teams to raise funds under the “Athletics Club” name, adding that its his understanding the funds would not be shared between the different sports teams.
In other words, money raised by the club for the football team or the lacrosse program would go specifically to those teams.
“Teams would figure out some way to fundraise for themselves,” Mr. Cohen said.
Unaffiliated booster clubs have previously raised funds for the district’s athletics programs, most notably donating a concession stand and press box for the high school.
The board will discuss the possible creation of the club at their meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, according to an agenda.
