MORE: It will cost you more to watch a GMC football, basketball game this season
The concession stands are manned by volunteers, typically parents of athletes, band members or music students, Butler County athletic directors said. The volunteers sometimes arrive hours before the 7 p.m. Friday kickoff and usually leave well after the game has ended.
Richard Bryant, athletic director at Lakota East, said proceeds from the concession stands benefit the Athletic Boosters and provide “critical revenue” for the teams and student/athletes. He said it takes between 36 to 40 volunteers to work the stands during the six home football games.
Besides the traditional fare, fans at Lakota East can order Chick-Fil-A sandwiches or pizza from Raymond’s Pizza, Bryant said. Since kickoff has been moved up to 7 p.m., he said more families are eating dinner at the games.
“This is a tremendous source of revenue,” he said.
MORE: Paul Brown Stadium is stage for Lakota West-St. X opener
Athletic directors and school officials around the county echoed those sentiments.
Scott Kaufman, athletic director at Lakota West, said the Athletic Boosters have used proceeds from the concession stands to make capital improvements in the district. A 25-by-90 foot storage shed is being built with concession money and Kaufman believes the building will save the district money. He said equipment will be stored in the shed and out of the inclement weather. He said pole vault pits are supposed to last 20 years, but Lakota’s have been replaced after 10-12 years because of damage from the winter weather.
Last year, he said, flooring was installed in the weight room.
“This is all very important,” Kaufman said.
Every Friday, he said, about 20-30 volunteers work the concession stands for home football games.
“An army of good people,” he said.
Similar people help reduce the cost of participating in the Hamilton High School competitive marching band, said Band Director Paul Dixon. He said the marching band is scheduled to compete in six events this year, and without the benefit of the proceeds from the concession stand, the cost per student would jump from $400 to $1,000, he said.
“Extremely important” is how he described the proceeds.
MORE: Badin, Ross set to open season with Butler County clash
Since the concession stands are manned by parents of band members, the band performs two shows every home game: halftime and post game. Dixon said after the game, the show doesn’t begin until the last volunteer has left the concession stand.
At Fairfield, proceeds from the food sales are shared with the Athletic Boosters and Temp Club, the music and fine arts clubs, said Mark Harden, athletic director. The money helps purchase items like equipment, uniforms and travel not included in the school budget.
“It’s a gigantic part of what we do,” he said of the revenue.
Middletown High School Athletic Director Aaron Zupka called proceeds from the concession stands at Barnitz Stadium “a significant funding source” for the district. Proceeds from the home football games benefit the band boosters, he said.
MORE: High expectations, difficult early stretch for Madison this season
At Badin High School, the music program handles concessions for home football and boys basketball games.
“It’s been an important source of funding for us,” said Elaina McCormick, who teaches music at Badin High School along with her husband, Matt. “I also appreciate the opportunity to interact with the parents in the music program who help with the concessions each week. That’s been very valuable.”
This year, the music program has handed the concession responsibility off to the drama department for the year.
“We’re in good shape funding-wise,” McCormick said, “and this will give the drama program the chance to get some much-needed dollars for what they do.”
———
Here’s the Week 1 schedule for all teams in the Journal-News coverage area:
FRIDAY’S GAMES
West Clermont at Hamilton, 7 p.m.
Fairfield at Centerville, 7 p.m.
Western Hills at Middletown, 7 p.m.
Badin at Ross, 7 p.m.
Anna at Fenwick, 7 p.m.
Talawanda at Preble Shawnee, 7 p.m.
Madison at Franklin, 7 p.m.
Carlisle at Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, 7 p.m.
Edgewood at Monroe, 7 p.m.
Lebanon at Kings, 7 p.m.
Walnut Hills at Lakota East, 7 p.m.
Lakota West vs. St. Xavier, 7 p.m. (at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati)
SATURDAY’S GAME
Gamble Montessori at New Miami, 6 p.m.
About the Author
