Unlocking the Power of Booster Clubs

Author: Jordan Edgett

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Booster clubs are the backbone of many school communities, providing essential support and resources that enrich the educational experience and foster holistic development. Plenty of articles share what Booster Clubs could do for a school, but as a High School Athletic Director, I gained firsthand knowledge of what Booster Clubs can accomplish and how valuable they were in supporting me but also my staff and our athletes.

Looking back, I regret not utilizing Booster and parent support sooner. Towards the end of my AD tenure, we (the administration) formed a Parent Athletic Committee. The goal was to collaborate with a diverse group of parents to help improve educational athletics. All sports, all genders, all levels. These parents represented the voices of all parents involved in athletics.

What did I learn? I learned I wasn’t doing enough. I thought I was fulfilling my job responsibilities, but collectively we could have done more for the student-athletes. The diverse needs of the student body were evolving, and I was a step behind. There were parents and students itching to do more but unsure of how to get started. Here are a few examples of what I learned:

• I learned that a friend of a parent-owned a gym and had extra equipment. We turned that into a large donation to the school’s fitness room.
• I learned that a student who didn’t play a sport had an interest in athletic administration. That student ended up helping me with game day management and other administrative duties.
• I learned that multiple nutritionists in the community wanted to volunteer their time to educate student-athletes about proper nutrition.
• I learned about a charity event that was perfect for the girl's soccer team to volunteer with.
• I learned there was a group of students interested in video production. They had more tech skills than I ever will. They helped amp up our social media as well as assisted with game day live streaming.

The truth is that stakeholders in your community want to support your school district: parents, friends, local businesses, and students. Your Booster club can serve as a bridge to these vital resources.

The other significant impact our booster club had was event planning and fan engagement. I had my pre-game routine: setting up the scoreboard and flags, making sure the field was safe to play, appropriate gates were unlocked, bleachers were cleared, etc. At no point did I have the time or desire to hang up banners, flowers, pictures, or balloons across the stadium.  We were ready to roll, and little did I think about the “extras” or how they looked aesthetically. And, as you know, aesthetics are very important nowadays! ;)

During the game, I focused on crowd control and managing coaches, officials, and student-athletes. The boosters coordinated halftime games, conducted in-between-quarter competitions, facilitated raffles, and sold concessions.

We wouldn’t have been able to host award ceremonies or any of these fun extra events at games if I had been running the show. There was simply not enough time in the day. The boosters made it happen. I made sure everything operated safely and efficiently, and the Boosters made it all look good.

Booster clubs can connect you to students in the halls, or alum, who have unique and diverse skills. For example, many are good with tech. Really good. They were born into the digital age and spend hours on their devices each day. Some will be pursuing careers in tech.  What if you could uncover these students and utilize their talents, all while giving them relevant industry experience? Think graphics, media, audio/video production, CUE. People looking for experience in areas you may not have time to optimize.

Boosters can connect you to the parents that want to help, but don’t know how. If you present them with opportunities that will enhance the student experience, they will be all about it. Show them the areas that you would like to improve and how it would benefit students. Parents are very passionate about ensuring their child has the most rewarding experience possible.

Booster clubs know the school community best. Many have lived in the city/town for quite some time, whereas most administrators/teachers come from a neighboring community. If you combine all of these resources together, you will be able to run your high school athletic department more like a college.

The moral of the story is that it is okay to rely on others because it not only helps you perform better but also benefits those you serve. Additionally, many booster members may know someone who owns or manages a local business that would be interested in advertising opportunities. With CUE's fan engagement products, such as content on a new video board or getting their brand on fans' cell phones, there are plenty of chances to showcase their brand while enhancing the event experience for the community.

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