Board will study details of h.s. hockey proposal

Board will study details of h.s. hockey proposal

Students may be asked

to state their interest

in a new varsity sport

By dave benjamin

Staff Writer

Responding to the request of parents and students, the Freehold Regional High School District Board of Education has started a feasibility study to determine whether ice hockey should be included in the district’s list of interscholastic sports programs.

In a report to the board, Dr. Louis Talarico, deputy superintendent of curriculum and instruction, said he discussed a letter written by a Howell resident — asking for ice hockey to be provided — with the district’s supervisors of extracurricular activities on Sept. 28. Talarico said he met with principals and members of the central administration on Oct. 3.

His findings indicated that it is the district’s practice to have students and parents complete interest forms regarding the creation of any new team. In the past forms have been completed prior to the establishment of swimming, bowling, volleyball and lacrosse teams.

He said comparative costs were explored. It was found that fund-raising is the typical means to support ice hockey in schools that presently offer the sport. These schools include Middletown; Rumson-Fair Haven; Brick Township; Manasquan; Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft; St. John Vianney, Holmdel; and Monsignor Donovan, Toms River.

"A typical arrangement was made, for example, with the Middletown Township Board of Education and Hockey in Middletown (HIM), a not-for-profit corporation, whereby HIM funds the entire interscholastic ice hockey program, yet the hockey program is operated and managed by the school board in the same manner as other interscholastic sports," Talarico said in his report.

He summarized the costs by noting that equipment such as skates, pads, helmets, etc., is donated by HIM, unless team members choose to use their own equipment. All donated and team member equipment and uniforms must meet New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association standards. Uniforms are donated by HIM.

The athletic directors at the individual schools are responsible for the administration of the hockey program, including scheduling games, arranging transportation, determining tryout procedures for players, ordering supplies and related items and scheduling of referees and security guards.

Also included is the development of a program philosophy; hiring, supervising and evaluating the coaches and assistant coaches; and obtaining and maintaining insurance equivalent to coverage for other interscholastic sports approved by the board.

Information regarding costs were also obtained. The report indicated that the district prepares an annual budget for the hockey program and submits it to the non-profit organization by March 1 of each year.

"The total cost for ice hockey at the high school level would be, using the figures for the 2000-01 school year, $47,282. The figure would be higher, $52,282, if we bus to home games," Talarico said in the report. "The second year would cost $12,000 less because the uniforms should last a few years with the exception of socks."

Other figures noted include: officials, clock operator, police, crowd controls, league dues and entry fees - $9,260 per school; ice time rental - $18,000; salary of coaches - $8,302; athletic uniforms, $6,000; athletic equipment - $14,000; transportation - $7,450.

Logistical considerations would also have to be studied. These include availability of ice time at area rinks; eligibility of participants; supervision of athletes and spectators; and transportation schedules including bus runs, drivers and security.

Board members were told that a policy would need to be discussed related to having an outside subsidy for an athletic program in the district. Having control over the operation of a school-sponsored activity which is funded by non-school sponsored organizations could have an impact in the coach-student athletic relationship.

Commenting on the possibility of having a district athletic complex, Talarico said, "Consider the building of a district athletic complex that would incorporate ice hockey rinks, fields, etc. The funds that would be generated from charging any outside groups to use it would help defray the costs of the program while providing a site that would assist our student athletes to use the complex during the normal hours and not burden the transportation department.

"Parent booster groups would help subsidize the cost outlay by selling food and products during the games and outside corporate sponsorship could also form a partnership to support prospective programs as well as existing programs. With a growing student population and a 200-square-mile regional area with six high schools, this may prove beneficial in generating funds without taxing the constituents and help subsidize extracurricular programs," he said.

Board members indicated they will study the matter further and an update will be forthcoming in the near future.