Middle of the Mitten: Support your local high schools

If you ever played high school sports, you know the value of learning about teamwork, leadership, respect and more.

High school sports, to be clear, are an extension of the classroom. They are about far more than winning and losing, or how to spike a volleyball, shoot a basket or hit a golf ball. Sports are about building character, learning responsibility for yourself and others and being able to be a member of a group environment where everyone works toward the same goal.

There's another truth about athletics that many people may not realize--they are very expensive.

Schools do their best to fund every team, from uniforms to equipment to coaching staffs and more. But sometimes they can't afford every bit, or perhaps there are needs above and beyond the budget that were just unforeseen when the numbers were being compiled.

So what of the sports teams that need those extra uniforms? Or new equipment? Perhaps some training aides or team camp funding?

That's where sports booster organizations tend to come in. The members of the sports boosters raise funds to help cover the costs that the district just cannot afford. Maybe it's a few dollars here or a few thousand there, but the boosters are the first place the teams turn to when they need that extra funding.

The key to those boosters organizations are the people who volunteer for them. That manpower and dedication are what make the fund-raising programs work, and, in turn, what helps keep the money coming in from the communities and the people who want to support the sports programs.

But membership in these booster clubs is often sparse. Maybe it's a lack of interest, or that they don't do enough recruiting--but the likely answer is that people just don't know that they should join or even how.

If you're a fan of your local hometown sports team, then you should contact the school--small or large--and find out when the next sports boosters meeting is scheduled. Stop in and see if you can help out with their next project or what the criteria is to join (sometimes a small fee is required and other times you're in just by saying you'd like to be a member).

Volunteering is always a great idea, no matter what the organization is, and groups like sports boosters can always use a helping hand. Whether that's giving your time, services or monetarily, it will all be welcomed and gratefully accepted.

Sam Eggleston is the managing editor of Mid Michigan Second Wave. He was born and raised in Michigan and is a member of his local high school sports boosters. He can be reached via email.