Pay to play falls short in fall, making team cuts possible

As another fall season of CVHS sports has ended, many concerns and consequences have come up regarding the budget, which failed to pay for all the fall sports. As a result, there could be serious consequences including team cuts, school officials said.

Fall sports, which include girls golf, girls tennis, girls volleyball, football, and cross country, collected enough donations to pay for 57 percent of their expenses. Girls golf was the only team that met 100 percent of its requested contribution. The lowest payment was 41 percent by all the football teams combined.

“It seems very low,” said finance coordinator Sandy Stiving, “but a lot of the teams are doing fundraisers now to make up for the lost money.”

The girls golf, girls tennis, girls volleyball and football team members each were asked to pay a donation of $325 and the cross country team members were suggested to pay $225.

The money goes to necessities of the teams such as equipment, transportation, health items, and more.

Assistant Principal Jason Whiteman had a lot to say about how to resolve this issue of team members paying for sports.

“The numbers are 50 percent better than last year,” said Whiteman, “but this is a totally new process and experience we’re going through. We need everybody’s cooperation to make it happen or there will be some serious setbacks in the sports, including cutting a specific team in general.”

With Whiteman’s insight on cooperation, CVHS needs encouragement, support, and donations from the community, including the Castro Valley Boosters, parents, CVHS staff  and CVUSD.

Whiteman concluded that we do have to wait and see what happens, but this matter is still a huge priority.

“I’m stressing it as much as possible,” said Whiteman. “I want people to know this a need rather than a want. I’m open to ideas being thrown out, but with no funds through the district, I’m stressing this issue and as for next year’s beginning sports season, the first thing to worry about is budgets again.”

But some athletes believe they should not have to pay to show their Trojan pride and spirit.

“Two hundred twenty-five dollars,” said cross country runner Anthony Martore. “Ridiculous.”