MAHL BOOSTER CLUB ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS
The MAHL Booster Club, in accordance with it’s mission to encourage communications within the league, sponsor various activities, and raise funds to support the MAHL, would like to take this opportunity to remind you of it’s activities. If you have questions about any of these activities, please contact the Booster Club member listed.
Player/Parent Night
The purpose of this event is to give the players and parents an opportunity to find out what the league is about, including our philosophy and goals, and to encourage all parents to become involved. The players also learn about the team they’ll be placed on for the season. The Booster Club uses this opportunity to explain our purpose and reinforce to the parents that they are actually part of the Booster Club so we need their support.
Upon arriving, we ask that the coaches check in at the Booster Club table to pick up an information packet. Team rosters will be available. Players will be asked to pick up a roster as they come in. All players, parents, and coaches should then proceed to the auditorium for announcements by the MAHL Board and Booster Club. Next, proceed to the assigned classrooms for individual team meetings. That will be the coach’s time to take care of any necessary business, including naming a Team Manager. Once a Team Manager has been identified, fill out the Team Manager confirmation form and return it immediately to the Booster Club table. (Travel teams and Midgets secure their Team Managers when their teams are formed.) The team manager’s name must be received in order for those teams to pick up their fundraiser. Team Managers are responsible for distribution of the fundraiser and for providing assistance in collecting the buyouts and fundraising orders.
Coaches will also be given a Roster of Team Volunteers form that needs to be turned in to the Volunteer Coordinator. Some of the duties listed are exempt positions that fulfill 4 hours of the required volunteer time (concession volunteer time is still required).
(Contact Carolyn Zuchnik, carolyn.zuchnik@fposolutions.com, (989) 662-6587 for additional information about the player/parent night)
Team Managers
Coordinating communication from the MAHL and Booster Club to the players and parents via the Team Manager is very important, so we ask for a volunteer from each team to be named on Player/Parent Night. This position fulfills your 4 hours of general volunteer time. Team Managers will attend a meeting where we will explain in detail what will be expected of them and answer any questions they may have. Please call if your Team Manager will not be able to attend this meeting.
(Contact Cathy Lunsford, lunsford.cathy@yahoo.com 631-0279 for additional information about being a team manager)
Fundraising
The Booster Club’s major fundraiser generates 75% of the Booster Club’s annual income. The money goes directly back into the league to cover the cost of such things as Rink Rat & Academic Athlete expenses, Holiday Parade, the Joe Harper Scholarship Fund, Hockey pins and items to buy, Trophies for the players, and team party money. Please encourage the players and parents to help out in any way they can.
Distribution of the fundraiser will begin after conclusion of the Player/Parent night. Selling incentives will be offered.
(Contact Cathy Lunsford, lunsford.cathy@yahoo.com, 631-0279, for additional information about fundraising)
Northstar Apparel
The Booster Club sells Northstar Apparel to provide “spirit wear” clothing to the MAHL players and their families. Profits from the sales are returned to the general fund and used for the same items as the general fundraiser. Typically, there will be 2 orders placed per year, one at the beginning of the season, the other before Christmas. Sample items will be displayed periodically near the Pro Shop.
(Contact Cathy Lunsford, lunsford.cathy@yahoo.com , 631-0279 for additional information about Northstar Apparel)
Souvenir Table
The Souvenir Table will be open at various times throughout the season. A wide variety of items supporting the league are available including the ever-popular pins. Teams may be asked to have volunteers man the table. This time counts toward your general volunteer hours.
(Contact Cathy Lunsford, lunsford.cathy@yahoo.com, 631-0279 for additional information about the souvenir table)
Rink Rat Program/Academic Athlete
Rink Rat was inspired by the late Darryl Dickson, who suggested this recognition to encourage the improvement of skating skills. The Booster Club initiated this program in 1993 to encourage players to do some extra skating, in addition to practices and games. It is no secret that good skating skills are critical to success at hockey and that additional skating time is the only way to improve. Details of this program will be given to the Team manager. Players who meet the requirements for this program will receive a special pin at the end of the season and their names will be published in the Net News.
Academic Athlete, initiated in 1992 by the Booster Club, recognizes players who are able to maintain a B average in school while participating in the busy hockey season. Details of this program will also be given to the Team manager. Players who meet the requirements for this program will receive a Certificate and their names will also be published in the Net News. The Booster Club believes that any player who is able to maintain a B average while playing hockey should receive special recognition for these achievements. Both of these awards should be given to the players by their coaches at the end of the season team party in front of the whole team and their parents.
(Contact Ann Eller, tandaeller@charter.net (989) 832-4041 for additional information about Rink Rat and Academic Athlete programs)
Trophies
The Booster Club general fund is used to provide trophies for the players at the end of the year. For the older teams, the Booster Club offers money for a team party function in lieu of trophies. The team manager/coach will be given forms to fill out regarding the trophies. Trophies should be given to the players at the end of season party by the coaches.
(Contact Ann Eller, tandaeller@charter.net (989) 832-4041 for additional information about trophies)
Team Pictures
The team managers will work with the photographer to schedule a photo session during their practice time. It is usually after the teams have received their jerseys and before games begin. Team managers will receive the photo order forms. Please have your players fill these out in advance. Cooperating with the photographer will assure that your team photo will take as little time away from practice as possible.
(Contact Cathy Lunsford, clunsford@co.midland.mi.us, 631-0279 for additional information about team pictures)
Team Party Money
Each team will receive $40 near the closing of the hockey season to be used toward a Team Party. A request form will be provided which needs to be completed showing the coach’s name and date of the party. It must be returned to the Booster Club Treasurer in order for a payment to be made. Normally, this is done by the Team manager as well.
(Contact Sue Landis, landisds@chartermi.net, 832-8169 for additional information about team party money)
Misc. Information:
Information concerning the MAHL Booster Club is posted in the Net News as well as the MAHL Website. Please be certain to check these locations periodically for any news. Updates or announcements will be posted as they become available.