A Letter from the Booster Club President...
Dear Parents:
The 2006-2007 school year was another successful one for the Booster Club and we hope the new school year will be even better!
For those of you who don't know (or may have forgotten), we start the year with Sports Physical - Meet the Coaches Night on Wednesday, August 8. This is an excellent opportunity for all athletes to complete their required physical exam for any sport, even springtime sports. The cost is nominal and athletes, along with their parents, will have an opportunity to meet many coaches and eat ice cream as well.
Throughout the year the Boosters sponsor barbeques for the sports teams and provide the majority of the financial support for the Athletic Department (exclusive of salaries). The Booster Club hosts the Crab Feed on the first Saturday in February... so mark your calendars and save the date for that. In the spring is the ever-popular Golf Tournament, which has sold out for the past several years... so get your foursome in early when the applications come out in the spring.
Our goal is for all parents of student athletes to be members of the Booster Club; we still have a way to go to get to that goal. As a lifetime member you get your name engraved in perpetuity on a plaque in the gym foyer, receive custom Booster Club jackets, enjoy free admission to home sporting events forever, and have the pride and satisfaction of supporting the outstanding athletic programs at St. Francis.
We meet every month, usually the 3rd Wednesday (check the school calendar). All members are welcome to attend. We are an inclusive group so don't be shy about joining us. I attended my first meeting before my daughter started as a freshman, and next thing you know I was Vice President! There are ample opportunities to get involved and fulfill your parent service hours by helping at one or more of our events. Hope to see you there!
Dave Evans, President
From the Athletic Director Kolleen McNamee...
As you walk into the gym from Serra Court you will notice the new trophy cases displaying the various awards the teams have accumulated over the years. The first trophy case you see holds the State Championship awards and the most current awards earned by St. Francis teams. In that same trophy case a framed certificate from the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) recognizes that St. Francis High School is committed to developing student-athletes of character through leadership in adopting principles of the CIF Pursuing Victory with Honor Program. St. Francis High School is a member of this program because we feel that sportsmanship and character building are integral components of high school athletics and we are proud that we strive to maintain that integrity.
The CIF unanimously adopted the principles of "Pursuing Victory With Honor" at its November 5, 1999, Federated Council meeting, consisting of educational leaders representing California's 1263 high schools. The CIF recognizes the impact that high school athletics can play in society and is committed to the character-building goals of the program. In fact, the CIF felt so strongly about the 16 principles of the program that these have been made the operating principles of the organization. Together, the CIF and its member schools can change the very nature of high school athletics and bring back the character, sportsmanship, ethics and integrity that high school sports can instill. The essential elements of character building and ethics in CIF sports are embodied in the concept of sportsmanship and six core principles: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and good citizenship. The highest potential of sports is achieved when competition reflects these "six pillars of character" (source: California Interscholastic Federation, Coaches Center, Sportsmanship Programs, Pursuing Victory with Honor, 2007, www.cifstate.org).
As Athletic Director at St. Francis for the past six years, and an alumna of the school, I am proud of how our teams have performed on the court, the field, the track, the courses and in the pool. I am equally, if not more proud, of the moments when I see our athletes, coaches, parents and spectators displaying the core principles of CIF's Pursuing Victory with Honor Program.
The mission of St. Francis High School focuses on being a community of faith, excellence, leadership and service. Those involved in the Athletic Program have a chance to be leaders and strive for excellence as they compete, not just in terms of developing their talents physically, but in how they act. Senior Lauren Brunner (Water Polo and Swimming) wrote in an essay she titled The Values That Never Fail, "To me, when winning becomes more important than sportsmanship, that will be the day I can no longer call myself an athlete. Integrity, respect, camaraderie, and fair competition are the principles I look to embody each time I practice or compete. I feel these values are the most important, and will prove applicable and central in life beyond the realm of high school sports."
I encourage, ask and challenge all those involved with our Athletic Program to uphold and practice the CIF's Pursuing Victory with Honor Principles as we encounter the challenging aspects of competition. In addition, I thank and commend those who already positively role model these principles.
I look forward to a great spring season!
Sincerely,
Kolleen McNamee
Director of Athletics
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