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RANDOLPH — From longtime fans to first-time freshmen, the school board is looking for new ways to bring everyone into the stands.
During their July 14 meeting, board members discussed admission prices and came up with a whole new offer – the Gold Pass.
“The idea of where it came up is, we have a lot of aunts and uncles or grandparents that come to watch their relatives, but they are not a patron,” said Superintendent Daryl Schrunk.
For years, the school has offered free admission Life Passes for members of the community who are 65 years and older, but fans outside the community didn’t qualify.
“We’ve said no, because we feel like the Life Pass is free because our patrons pay taxes. So, it is our thank you for paying taxes all these years,” said Schrunk.
The board came up with a compromise of offering the Gold Pass to visitors outside the community who are 65 years or older for $30.
All of the admission prices include, $5 for student entrance, $50 for a student pass, $6 for adult entrance, $60 for an adult pass, $120 for a family pass, $30 for a nonpatron of 65 or more years of age or Gold Pass and a free pass for patrons of 65 or more years of age.
The board also threw out the idea of having a T-shirt sale that could result in free admission for students.
“A school-age student would buy a t-shirt, and that t-shirt would be their entrance,” said Schrunk.
Both the high school and elementary principals agreed this could bring in larger groups of students to games and encourage school spirit.
“We want to see that student section like it was at some of the basketball games last year,” said Kindergarn-6 principal Denton Beacom.
Schrunk was very supportive of their idea. “I don’t know if we can pull this off this year, but I love it,” said Schrunk. The rest of the board agreed, but planning and logistics for the idea are still being considered. In the meeting, the estimated price of the shirt would be around $25 and would possibly be an annual sale with the updated school year.
“The purpose is not necessarily to make money, but to get kids in the game,” said Schrunk.
Another school spirit proposal involved having a “student of the night.” In this plan, a younger student could join the varsity team on the bench for a game and get close to the action.
Schrunk said that the more people who attend games, the more people typically buy from concessions. This would, in turn, support school clubs. Beacom agreed and said school camaraderie is always positive.
“I think it’d be cool on Fridays at school to see a bunch of kids in the same t-shirts,” said Beacom.
