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Post by JVD on Nov 15, 2012 20:15:54 GMT -6
I was reading (In my deer blind...opening day here in MI!) the football coaches bible. (Great book btw.)
I read two chapters in a row about coaches (College) who set up alumni associations. They had a banquette for them...sent out a quarterly newsletter...asked for money...etc.
It sounded like a really cool idea.
Does anyone have a similar set up for their HS program?
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Post by shields on Nov 16, 2012 4:58:29 GMT -6
When I arrived at my current position, there was nothing done with alumni and very little support came from alumni. We need to do more, but we created a Faccebook fan page. It keeps people updated on everything the football team has going on, from practices to scores, year-round. We have a student photographer that accompanys the team everywhere and her photos get uploaded for fans/alumni to see on our Facebook page. This has spawned the Class of 1975 to buy a sign to hang on our sponsor board. I hope to do more so I am very interested in seeing where this thread goes. Thanks!
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Post by JVD on Nov 17, 2012 19:58:58 GMT -6
No way have I stumped the Coach Huey crew....
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Post by CoachHess on Nov 18, 2012 12:52:33 GMT -6
We're actually looking into starting one ourselves. We are throwing around the idea of having this be a minimum $25 a year deal. This money would go directly into the football account to help with expenses, and cover the cost of everyone who is in the alumni association a t-shirt of whatever the boys decided to get that year. In addition, we would be a quarterly or bi-yearly newsletter, updating the status of alumni members and of the Program in general. We would also invite all alumni to eat with the boys at a home game once a year, give them full access to everything for that gameday. We're floating around the idea of having certain levels of the alumni club. If you give more, you can get more. Discounted season tickets, cheaper apparel, parking places, name on an alumni wall (or bricks), etc. Ways to keep players involved in the program once they graduate and help the overall football program at the same time. Hope this helps. Shoot me some of your ideas love to hear em.
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Post by emptybackfield on Nov 18, 2012 19:00:35 GMT -6
At the school where I used to coach we didn't have an "association" but we had a golf tournament in the summer and email distribution list where they received our monthly newsletter.
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Post by CoachHess on Nov 18, 2012 20:06:32 GMT -6
At the school where I used to coach we didn't have an "association" but we had a golf tournament in the summer and email distribution list where they received our monthly newsletter. I think we will add that any alumni member who plays in the golf scramble will get a discounted price. Thanks for the idea.
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Post by JVD on Nov 19, 2012 9:01:32 GMT -6
I was thinking of having no membership fee...just asking for donations. Or.... maybe a $25 lifetime membership....and ask for donations
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Post by CoachHess on Nov 19, 2012 13:42:21 GMT -6
I was thinking of having no membership fee...just asking for donations. Or.... maybe a $25 lifetime membership....and ask for donations I agree that is the best way to go. However, in our financial situation, asking for $25 once a year isn't going to break the bank, and it helps to offset some of the costs of getting the alumni something they can proudly display, i.e. shirts, decals, etc.
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Post by JVD on Nov 19, 2012 20:05:47 GMT -6
Yeah...I'm going to have to go work a deal with the lady that runs the local emrodery/shirt shop. See what we can get for $25. They join, pay their $25, get their shirt.
Then have a newletter asking for donations right after they get their fat tax return...
I wasn't really looking at it as a money maker....but maybe we have an alumni who wants the fieldhouse with his name on it!
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Post by CoachHess on Nov 19, 2012 21:12:51 GMT -6
Yeah...I'm going to have to go work a deal with the lady that runs the local emrodery/shirt shop. See what we can get for $25. They join, pay their $25, get their shirt. Then have a newletter asking for donations right after they get their fat tax return... I wasn't really looking at it as a money maker....but maybe we have an alumni who wants the fieldhouse with his name on it! I understand that, and I think you're on the right track with your ideas. You could always have a ranking system based on the amount donated. Each step up gets one more perk or item or something. Be a way for alumni to get something in return for their donation. See if the lady making the shirts will do them free/discounted if you make her some signage for the field or something. Free advertising and less money out of your account.
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Post by shields on Nov 20, 2012 5:02:00 GMT -6
What we are proposing is something much like the colleges offer. A program with different levels. The bare minimum gets you a shirt like the coaches wear. The next level includes the shirt and a meal at one home game. The next level might include a shirt, meal, and backstage access. The highest level might include the chance to watch the game from the booth. We are just kicking around ideas, but it's a start.
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Post by gdn56 on Nov 26, 2012 17:47:35 GMT -6
The alumni association from the college I attended is an outstanding model. We pay $60 per year for the first two years out of school, then $120 per year after that. Membership includes an invitation to a banquet in the spring where the current coaching staff comes in an updates us on the status of the program. Also at that meeting, we induct the newest class of alumni into our association by providing them an engraved pen. In the fall, we use the funds to pay for a tailgate at the homecoming game, and every alumni association member who paid in gets a shirt or hat or some type of gear each year. Any surplus at the end of the year is donated to the football program. Now, we do not raise a ton of money for the program through our dues because that isn't actually our goal. We see it as an opportunity to reconnect with old teammates. But, I feel like you could apply this model as an attempt to raise funds and it could work for you.
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