Question 1: "Why do we have to raise funds ourselves?"

Answer 1: The Broken Arrow school district cannot possibly fund each and every cost associated with all the programs within the district. They have done an amazing job at funding most of the expenses, especially the larger items like transportation costs.

Question 2: "When money is raised, what is it spent on?"

Answer 2: That depends on the individual program. For soccer, we have expenses for meals on away games and meals and lodging for away or overnight tournaments, equipment and supplies like water bottles, nets, and other "team" used items. Although we do not completely "outfit" the teams each year, we do replace items like travel bags, storage lockers, and other "consumable" items that experience normal wear and tear. The district also provides some money for assistant coach stipends, but the Booster club typically funds between 1/3 and 1/2 of the required costs. We fund the annual soccer banquet held each May. The Booster Club also awards at least $2,000.00 annually for scholarships. Transportation and Official (referee) costs are funded by the Athletic Department.

Question 3: "Are the parents or students the only source of fundraising that soccer utilizes?"

Answer 3: No, certainly not. The Board and our Director of Fundraising are constantly seeking "Corporate" sponsorship for many of our expenses. For example, our annual season Program delivered at home games is fully self-funded through the advertising inside. We also have been fortunate to find corporate sponsors or donors for the annual varsity poster each year. We also market stadium advertising banners with relatively good success.

Question 4: "It seems like we raise a lot of money. Is it all necessary?"

Answer 4: That probably depends on the level of commitment each person has to the game and Broken Arrow High School soccer. As for the Board, our goal each year is to ensure we have the best equipped team led by the most capable leadership. To achieve that requires more than just equipment and supplies. It requires us to fund activities like "team building" events for the student athletes or making sure our coaches have acquired the correct licensing and training needed to compete at the high school level. Add to that our program typically has in excess of 110 players, and the financial requirement becomes exponential quickly. For example, with those same 110 athletes, how much would it cost to fund the operation of 6 or 7 Club teams? You can see that the need is great.

Question 5: "My child participates in all the available fundraisers. I know other students in the program who choose not too. Is that fair?"

Answer 5: Life is not fair. Sports and fundraising are no exception. The Board is very diligent each year to select the most financially rewarding fundraisers that require the least amount of work on the part of the students. We have been very successful over the years in accomplishing that. However, as time and the financial landscape changes, the Booster Club may have to seek alternative methods to fully fund our program. Therefore, it is imperative that all students do their "fair-share" in fundraising activities to help in the greater effort.