Alix Neenan ’12
Staff Writer

Through fundraising, deal hunting, and pay-for-play, Staples sports teams are able to find ways to work with budget issues in a rough economic time.

“The budget is never unlimited,” said Mr. Shepro, the coach for the boy’s ski team.

This year, the ski team has had to raise the price to join the team to $450, but it was “not because of budget cuts,” said Shepro, “We were hoping for more money.”

The girl’s ice hockey team is facing similar issues. Although they did not face budget cuts, they did not get any more money either. “You can call it a cut,” said Mr. Rollison, the coach.

The girl’s ice hockey team deals with their financial problems with what Rollison calls “massive fundraising.” The ice time fees alone are $25,000 a year.

The team also saves money by skating at cheaper rinks. Instead of going to the Rinks in Shelton, they have started going to the rink at Long Shore. The rink isn’t a full size, so practicing is more difficult, but is much cheaper.

They receive about $9,000 through fundraising events which include selling chocolates and collaborating with the Sound Tigers, a local minor league hockey team. The girls play a benefit game before one of the Sound Tiger’s games, and receive half the profits.

Rollison says that the high costs are “normal,” and something to be expected. “It’s a part of hockey,” he said.

Boys swimming cuts costs by combining equipment with other aquatic teams such as girls swimming and water polo, according to boys swim coach Mr. Schare.

“Swimming and diving needs a relatively small amount of equipment,” said Schare. So far, they have not had to make students pay to join the team, thanks to fundraising.

When it comes to uniforms, each team seems to handle it differently. The ski team has students bring their own equipment, including skis and boots.

The girls ice hockey team designed their uniforms themselves. They just got them this year, and will have them from three to five years.

The boys swim team purchases their own uniforms, but they can keep them after the season is over, and buying one is not a requirement. Schare says that students “take better care” of their uniforms when they had to pay for it themselves. The team also buys race day suits each year for everyone with the money raised from student fundraising.

“I think for the most part, that the school provides enough for our teams,” said Mr. Shepro.

Although money not may not be in a large supply, sports teams are still able to make due with what they have, and continue on to have a successful season.