With the opening of the new Blackhawk football stadium and track comes a new era in Blackhawk sports. The Blackhawk Foundation will be the fundraising arm of the program, said Tony Travis, athletic director, who admitted he copied the idea o◊the Razorback Foundation in some ways.
“The Blackhawk Foundation will be the group that handles concessions, merchandise and all fundraising activities for the Pea Ridge schools sports programs,” Travis said. “It is not just a football thing; the Blackhawk Foundation is program wide and we want all our parents involved.”
There will be an informational meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 30, for parents of students and all interested community members to learn more about the foundation and to join the organization which will be governed by a board and elected o◊cers. Board terms will be two-year terms and Travis will be the vice president, but plans for the members of the foundation to elect a president and treasurer. The executive committee will be comprised of the board members and head coaches.
Following the brief meeting, Travis said there will be informational meetings for parents of athletes.
“Obviously our target is our parents; anyone can be involved.
There will be both business and family memberships,” he said, although prices are still undetermined.
“I hope to put up a red and black tent just outside of the concession stand and sell T-shirts, hats, stadium chairs, cushions and various forms of apparel,” Travis said. “The Ridge shirts were exclusive to our football players; those will be available.
We will do an inaugural season shirt and shirts to target students, parents of students and young children.”
“This is the 50th anniversary of the football program. I plan to focus on that,” Travis said.
The Blackhawk Foundation has much potential, Travis said, adding that he hopes to sell season passes for all sports.
“We’ll learn as we go. There are a lot of new avenues for us,” Travis said, explaining that the purpose of the foundation is threefold: 1) raise money for athletics, 2) make it more community friendly and 3) provide a better environment for everybody to get together and support Blackhawk athletes and teams.
The Blackhawk Booster Club previously ran the concession stand at sporting events. The$37,000 balance in the club’s account will be transferred to the Blackhawk Foundation.
Rick Neal, school superintendent, said he’s excited about the Blackhawk Foundation and the possibilities it holds. He said the Booster Club money will help greatly this fi rst year.
“We are grateful for all the Booster Club members have done - they’ve done a great job. The Foundation will be bigger, not necessarily better, because the Booster Club was good. It’s just time for more,” Travis said. “It’s 100 percent about what we can do bigger for our athletes andour athletic program. We want to get more people involved.”
“It’s not about better - everybody knows the Blackhawk burgers are great!” Travis said.
“We want to make the viewing experience moreenjoyable,” Travis said, adding that an “alumni corner” on the southeast corner near the multi-purpose facility where alumni may sit in lawn chairs. There will be a gravel courtyard area between the concession stand and the multipurpose area with picnic tables and umbrellas sponsored by Coca-Cola.
“We’re creating great places for people to get together and talk and enjoy the game,” he said. “This place is unbelievable how nice it is.”
Sports, Pages 7 on 07/24/2013