Marquette Senior High School's athletic program lost $46,000 in budget cuts, and now they're looking to fundraising
MARQUETTE -- They've lost $46,000 this year because of budget cuts, but Marquette Senior High School's athletic program still has hope. Instead of getting rid of a sport, they've cut back on transportation.
"When you have a cut like that, you have a question: Do I cut a sport, and then what sport do you cut? And when I'm dealing with kids every day, how do I say, your sport is important and your's is not? So, I've chosen to keep all the sports where they're at, but my goal is to fundraise that $46,000 with the help of our Booster Club," said MAPS Athletic Coordinator Jamie Tuma.
Now, they're looking at new ways to make up for the loss. This year, they're hosting a "Cash Bash" on October 6 at the Marquette Regional History Center, where people buy a ticket for a night of dinner and drinks.
"It's not something that's going to go away in education. There isn't just a heavy cash flow. Although, it'd be easy to just say, yeah, I've got to spend here and there and everywhere, it's not the same as it used to be," Tuma said.
In addition to the Cash Bash, the MSHS Booster Club is relying on other ways of fundraising; for example, the concession stand and the MSHS Spirit Store.
The Booster Club says the Spirit Store brings in about $10,000 a year, which is a long way from the $46,000 the athletic program lost in budget cuts.
"It's certainly helpful, but isn't greatly significant, and that's why the importance of the Cash Bash that we're planning to host is kind of an inaugural event. We're hoping to capitalize on people's time and efforts to raise more money," said Myra Zyburt of the MSHS Sports Booster Club.
Tickets for the event are $20 per person.