High School Softball (JV) Sponsorship

[dixonduke]

My Niece is a freshman and plays on her schools softball team. I got a call from her this morning asking me, if I (my company) would sponsor her.

After speaking to my sister (her Mom), it turns out that all of the girls were sent home last night (wednesday), with a buy sheet for a 4'x6' banner for sponsors to purchase. These would have the players name, and the sponsors information and they would be hung on the outfield fence.

What has my head hurting right now, is that they (the girls) were told by the coach that this is Mandatory (what was relayed to me), and that they must each have $150 dollar sponsor when by end of school Monday.

How can this be Mandatory? The rosters have already been filled, and games have already been played. I have no problem with the students being asked to go forth and seek, and hopefully get a volunteer. But to make it mandatory seems out of kilter. I wonder if this is even legal (or is it ethical?), for the public school system to mandate this. Don't our tax dollars pay the softball team (and other sports programs)? I just know that it will be the parents and grand parents ending up footing this bill.

Anyone else run into this type of situation?

My response was that I am not interested, and I suggest that each player show up Monday and tell the Coach that they were unable to find sponsors.

[Cajungaltx]

Usually this is done to 'offset' the cost for the GIRLS playing softball. Usually it's 'mandatory' or the parents pay the fee.

Athletic fees for my 12 year old are $275 per sport. It's freaking expensive.

If obtaining a sponser meant that they got advertisement, and my fee dropped down to $125... I'd have NO problem attempting to find a sponser.

[dixonduke]

I don't get it. I know that it has been more than 20 years for myself, since I played High School sports. But the only monies myself or my family had to cover was the cost of the personal equipment (which we got to keep). i.e. Footware, mouth pieces, maybe a jersey, and our jackets.

This mandatory sponsorship is coming now after the team has been filled, and games have begun.

I guess I am just not supposed to get it. But it does tick me off. Seems like every time you turn around the school is asking for money from the students.

[DSL_PWR]

Hearing stuff like this is exactly why I don't support UIL and academic sports, don't buy from school kids selling, and fight alternative spending from all education institutions.

So much for all those that pay school taxes.. I feel sorry for you..

[andyz]

So if they don't find a sponsor, are they kicked off the team and if there are enough of these students, the team folds?

Sounds like the money for public education isn't going into girls softball.

[Cajungaltx]

Just to be clear - my daughter attends private school...so 'sports' are not where the school focuses it's budget at all... if you want to play...you bear part of the cost for equipment, etc... I don't think it's an 'unreal' expectation.

Given my preference - I would prefer that PUBLIC school focused their moneys on the quality of education versus the quality of sports equipment/etc...

[toverman]

We haven't come across mandatory fundraising yet, but that's probably because our oldest is just 7. Even in elementary school, though, we are constantly bombarded with fundraisers ... seriously! They gather the student body in a pep rally, a slick salesperson pumps them up with all the prizes they can win if they sell X amount of crap. Then they're turned loose on unsuspecting parents and relatives. It's pathetic. So we do one fundraiser a year, and that's it.

When it comes to sports, I can see footing some of the bill for participation. But beyond that, anything else that is mandatory (before or after a season) is baloney. Have the games been played, though? Isn't softball season just about to start?

[Cajungaltx]

Todd -
I've learned from experieince that if I tell the school/person in charge that I'll donate $50 to whatever cause they are raising money for... my kid doesn't have to participate...

The thing that REALLY bothers me about these events... is that they are raising money for USUALLY a good cause (Jump Rope for Hearts comes to mind)....but then they reward the kids materialistically with 'junk'... if they only get 1000 in donations... or whatever...

And we wonder why kids don't do things just cause it's the 'right' thing to do...versus only if there is a 'payoff'...