H.S. SPORTS: Trying to pass the torch
MIDDLEPORT — If it were simply the end of an era, saying goodbye to an organization that flourished under your leadership for more than half a decade would be a lot easier.
However, when Royalton-Hartland Sports Boosters President Chris Cramer steps down this year, along with other prominent members of the club, there’s no one yet willing to step forward and take over the reigns.
That hasn’t been easy on Cramer, who’s leadership, along with members that include Dick Westcott and Dave Pratt, has helped raise thousands of dollars for Rams athletics.
Cramer, a physical education teacher at Roy-Hart, has three small children at home, where he said he’d like to spend more of his time.
“I wish to issue a challenge to the next group of booster officers to remain active and continue to raise funds for our student-athletes here at Royalton-Hartland,” Cramer said in a letter to district residents.
“Your efforts will ensure that our children and young adults continue to receive opportunities that our normal operating school sports budget may not provide. I am confident our community will respond to your efforts.”
Six years ago, Cramer took over as Boosters Club president. Through generous donations over the next several years, money was raised to help offset costs. Among several projects funded and installed by the volunteer R-H Boosters are the state-of-the-art weight rooms at both Roy-Hart middle school and senior high school.
“There’s more than $10,000 in equipment in this room,” Cramer said on Tuesday, while working with students in the weight room.
“There have been tremendous accomplishments over the years which are too numerous to list. I’m grateful to have had a great supporting cast in Dick Westcott and Dave Pratt, who serve as vice president and treasurer.”
Westcott, a 1973 Roy-Hart graduate who has been working with R-H booster clubs for decades, said he too is stepping aside.
“I’m most proud of the thousands of dollars we’ve put back for the kids,” Westcott said.
Among the most notable fundraising efforts by the R-H boosters are the annual alumni basketball and football games.
“We are grateful for the efforts of alumni who have put their bodies on the line by participating in our annual football and basketball games,” Cramer said.
“Not only were we able to raise money for our sports programs through these events, but we also developed friendships and memories with people who traveled from as far away as California, New Jersey, Georgia, West Virginia, Vermont and Arizona to return to their old stomping grounds and support our efforts.”
This year marks the third time the Rams sports boosters have disbanded as an organization in the past 20 years. Cramer and Westcott are hoping someone will step forward soon to take over the reigns and continue assisting with funding.
Besides the alumni games and weight room equipment, the club has been instrumental in contributing funding for the following projects during Cramer’s productive tenure:
• Replacement of championship banners in the gym ($2,236).
• Computer software for the varsity football program ($4,100).
• Players in Progress ($3,000).
• Football donations of shorts, helmet stripes, video tapes, jerseys, scouting equipment and the funding of the cookie dough fundraiser.
• Partial funds to send players to a Hawaii football camp.
• Paid full UB football camp costs for R-H players.
• Cash for food for players after away games.
Besides these and many other major and minor contributions, the R-H Boosters have also provided funding for student to attend basketball camps and leagues in Brockport, Niagara Falls and Lockport.
Cramer wished to thank many people in the community for their help, suggestions and volunteer efforts. They include Tom Kaz, Matt Peracciny, Jeff Folckemer, Bill Donovan, Rick DeWaters, Medina Journal sports editor Mike Wertman, Michelle Jennings and Alexandra Peracciny.
“Working together as a team, our Booster’s Club has earned recognition and respect throughout Western New York and across the nation. Many times I would receive a phone call another district or from someone as far away as the Midwest inquiring about our alumni football or basketball fundraising efforts,” Cramer said.
“I would also like to take this time to thank my wife, Christine, for her support and efforts in taking care of our three young children while I was away taking care of booster business. Your support has been my driving force in more ways than I can count.”
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