Unlike in past years, the boosters will not be selling season passes. The passes, which have in the past helped to increase club membership, will still be sold, but by the school.
This has decreased the cost of booster club membership, which was $100 with the season pass and is now $25.
"Under the current laws, school officials are the only ones allowed to handle school funding," said Ed Canady, athletic boosters president.
"We've had to change up, be creative. The original fee was $75 for the school and $25 for the boosters. It came to $100, so we're just keeping the $25," said Canady, adding they will have different types of fundraisers this year to stay active and ensure they can lend the proper support to the school's teams. "You'll see more fundraisers, more events, because we've got to do that to raise more money."
According to Canady, the boosters will still be helping with every athletic event and working in their concession stands, but they will be holding additional events throughout the year to keep their funding levels up.
There are 12 varsity sports at JHS and Canady hopes to not only attract parents of all those athletes, but people from throughout the community who want to support JHS athletics. In order to do that, he and the other boosters are willing to let members pay their dues over time.
"We've got to be creative in getting members, since they're not getting the pass anymore," said Canady, adding the group has gotten about 35 new members since the beginning of school.
On Tuesday, Aug. 18, the group held its first event of the year, the Meet the Eagles night at JHS, which was made possible through the help of food donated by Lea Fite and Food Outlet, lots of volunteers, drinks donated by Wal-Mart and games donated by First Baptist Church of Saks.
Those wanting to volunteer with the athletic boosters can download a form online at the Jacksonville High Web site.
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