Writer / Janet C. Striebel
TigerONE is a new all-sports booster club at Fishers High School (FHS) supporting all athletic teams and all student athletes. Led by a group of parent-volunteers and FHS athletic directors, TigerONE is a 501(c )(3) tax exempt organization focused on securing tax deductible donations to benefit FHS student athletes.
“We started planning last fall behind the scenes with the athletic directors who were very supportive,” said Joe Eaton, president of TigerONE. “I met with co-athletic directors Jim Brown and Rob Seymour (Seymour replaced Jon Miles who retired in June.) Our primary goal is to raise money for all student athletes and teams. There are twenty different athletic teams comprising over 1,000 girls and boys.”
The key objectives of TigerONE include the following:
• Raise funds to benefit all FHS student athletes, coaches, teams and booster clubs
• Provide scholarships for program support fees and graduating student athletes
• Provide 501(c )(3) tax exempt status for booster clubs and/or athletic teams
• Recruit volunteers to support all FHS athletic teams
• Promote attendance and school spirit at all FHS sporting events
Annual membership is now available on individual, family, and corporate levels. Membership information is available at hse.k12.in.us/FHS/athletics or by emailing Fhstigerone@gmail.com.
TigerONE’s primary fundraising initiative for 2014-2015 school year is to raise $100,000 to purchase exercise and cardio equipment for the new 6,000 sq. foot weight room being constructed as part of the FHS Senior Academy. Thousands of students will use the new weight room every year and corporate sponsorships are available in two ways. An annual corporate membership of $1,000 or TigerONE is offering permanent naming rights on one of the sixteen (16) weight racks in the new weight room for $4,000.
“Another primary goal for TigerONE is to help students with the cost of the new program support fees,” Eaton said. “Some families may have more than one student participating in sports which can be costly.” In addition to raising money for the new weight room, TigerONE is seeking corporate sponsorship of a scholarship fund to assist FHS student athletes with program support fees and related athletic fees and expenses and to eventually provide scholarship opportunities for graduating student athletes.
“So far, TigerONE has been incredibly well received,” Eaton said. “It’s been great to see how this has all come together. Everybody has united to achieve this ultimate goal to help our student athletes—FHS Principal Jason Urban, the athletic department, the twenty sports teams and their coaches, and the volunteers of TigerONE.”
