Aledo Athletic Booster Club Meeting

12 April 2010

Present:  Tim Buchanan, Craig Whisnand, Jennifer Lopez, Joe Breshears, Lynne Carpenter, Tammy Viken, Allison Frank, Bruce Frantz, and Mendy Frantz.

Secretary’s Report:  Joe Breshears submitted for approval the minutes from the March 1, 2010 meeting prepared by Allison Frank, as posted on the website.  Craig Whisnand motioned to approve.   Allison Frank 2nd.  Motion carried and the minutes were approved.

Treasurer’s Report: Craig Whisnand presented the Treasurer’s report, which was approved as presented. Joe Breshears motioned to approve.  Allison Frank 2nd.  The motion carried and the Treasurer’s Report was approved as presented.

President’s Report:  No report

VP of Fundraising Report:  No report

VP of Communications Report: No report

VP of Team Relations Report:  No report

Athletic Director’s Report:  Tim Buchanan was present and addressed the Booster Club.  Coach Buchanan initiated a discussion of one of the most pressing issues facing Aledo ISD and, consequently, the athletic program; the use of drugs by our students and student-athletes. 

In the past, the district spent $25,000 or more per year to administer drug tests to all Aledo ISD athletes.  The results were that virtually no athletes tested positive, likely because the fact that they were going to be tested gave Aledo athletes a valid excuse to say no to any offers of illegal or prescription drugs. 

The discussion turned to the most commonly abused drugs in Aledo, which include Xanax, Hydrocodone, and other similar pain killers or mood enhancers. Athletes do not always appreciate (a) how highly addictive these drugs are (especially Xanax), or (b) the very stiff penalties for both the use and the distribution of these narcotics to teammates or friends.  They also do not appreciate other dangers, such as the purchase of such drugs from dealers who lace the Xanax with heroin, in an effort to get the student hooked on heroin.

Alternatives to mandatory, school financed, drug testing were discussed, including the possibility that parents of athletes could commit to voluntarily test their athlete at the beginning of the year and at least once randomly during the season, and then report the results to the athletic director or the school district. Once again, the goal of the testing would be to empower student athletes to resist peer pressure, not simply to catch a student who may be using drugs illegally.

Booster Club members present pledged their support to work with the Athletic Director to protect our student-athletes to the greatest degree possible.

Committee Reports:

• Membership – No report
• Program – No report   
• Merchandise –  No report
• Middle School –  No report 

Old Business:   No Report

New Business:  No Report

Team Reports – Aledo Middle School: For the year, AMS experienced a tremendous year in athletics.  Results were as follows: 

• Boys and girls’ cross country won district championships and finished first in Quad County West Championships
• Tennis won district and finished first in Quad County West
• Football was 47-1-1 overall.  Both 7th and 8th grade A teams won District and Quad County West Championships.
• Volleyball was 76-13 overall. Both A teams won District and Quad County West Championships
• Basketball was 121-20 overall.  Both Girls A Teams won District and Quad County West Championships.  The Boys’ 7th grade A team won District and Quad County West Championships, and the Boys’ 8th grade A and B teams finished 2nd in the Quad County West Zone, while the Boys’ 8th grade C team finished first in Quad County West Zone.
• Track – both 7th and 8th grade boys and girls’ teams finished first in their division in two meets.
• Football, basketball, and volleyball were 244-33-1 overall.

Team Reports – Aledo High School:

• Baseball – The varsity were thrilled to play a game at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington in March.  In addition, the varsity finished the Jerry Durant Classic 5-1, while the JV went 2 and 4 in the Burleson Tournament.  Lynne Carpenter reported that baseball t-shirts and sweatshirts were on sale for $12 and $20 respectively. Locker room decorations are being handled by Lynne Carpenter and Penny O’Donnell, and the team is looking for concession stand volunteers.
• Cheer – No report.
• Soccer – Seasons for both boys and girls had tremendous seasons, which have concluded with close playoff losses.
• Softball – The varsity continue to improve in District play under first-year coach Jeff Lemons, and are moving into playoff contention.
• Golf – Aledo’s girls won the District 6-4A tournament over Birdville by 91 strokes, 698 to 789.  Alicia Stacy (164) and Haley Gann (175) of Aledo finished first and second in the individual medalist competition, while Jenny France (179), Chelsea Mercer (180, and Jess Bearden (196) finished fourth, fifth, and ninth respectively. Likewise, the Aledo Boys also won the District 6-4A Championship over Birdville, with Jeffery Merrell finishing second in the medalist competition after a thrilling, two-hole playoff for medalist honors.
• Tennis – The varsity played in three tournaments since the last Booster Club meeting.
• Saginaw Tournament (16 teams). The girls doubles teams of Amanda Richter/Joanna Raines and Jordan Adams/Whitney Truax both won first place. The boys doubles team of Ryan Odders/Taylor Baker won second place.  The team also had two 4^th place finishes and two 5^th place finishes.
• Aledo Tournament. The team took first place.  Individual first place honors went to Joanna Raines/Amanda Richter in girls doubles, Michael Wilson/Melissa Howell in mixed doubles, Kristin Brikmanis in girls singles, Rob Raines in boys singles, and Ryan Odders/Taylor Baker in boys doubles.
• Legacy Tournament (24 teams).  Ryan Odders/Taylor Baker won second place in boys doubles, Jordan Adams/Whitney Truax won second in girls doubles, and Hillary Arnold and Will Beeson won second place in mixed doubles.o    The JV played in a tournament in Boswell in March.

The next meeting date will be Monday, May 10, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. in the Field House classroom.

Meeting Adjourned