On Friday, Sept. 17, the Booster Clubs from Fort Mill sponsored their first annual Golf Tournament at Tega Cay Golf Club. The funds raised from this tournament go directly to funding middle school sports in Fort Mill. 124 players participated (full field) and $12,000 was raised. The goal was to have 80 players and $8,000-$10,000 in revenue.

The key to the success of this event was largely in part to volunteers from each middle school and the community’s support. Without the support of the entire community, Fort Mill would not have middle school sports. Many of those involved as volunteers or as players do not have students in the middle school program. However, everyone involved has the same belief that middle school sports is a necessity for students. Along with the obvious health benefits, sports offer so many life lessons that aren’t taught in the classroom.

As part of the drastic budget cuts for the 2010-2011 school year, the FM school board cut middle school sports. The booster clubs from the three schools presented the district with a proposal to make middle school sports self funded and still affiliated with the school district. This venture is a first of its kind in the area. The majority of the funds will come from athletic fees for each athlete, gate receipts and fund raising events from the booster clubs.

In addition to a self-funded program, the district also formed an Athletic Board to strengthen the middle school athletic program. By sharing success and failures from each of the three schools, the board has been able to provide a strong, cohesive and efficient middle school athletic program that many other schools are considering implementing.

Lisa McCarley

Chairman – FMSD Athletic Board