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Aug 28, 2008 5:31 pm US/Eastern
Work Day Helps Gloucester Athletes Reduce Fees
GLOUCESTER (WBZ) ―
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Darren McCollester/Getty Images
Scores of Gloucester High School athletes took to the field on Thursday ...not to play, but to work. "It just feels good to do something like this for your school," said freshman Enca Dimaio, painting support beams under the bleachers where, a year ago, a Cape Ann TV camera zoomed out from a gleaming lighthouse to reveal the gridiron bathed in floodlights.
"Good evening and welcome to Gloucester High School football..."
The Gloucester Fishermen are reigning Division IIA Super Bowl champs, but their stadium is in less than ship shape while athletic fees for the school's teams have more than quadrupled in two years and are as high as $475 for hockey.
This year, the
Gloucester Fishermen Athletic Association is raising funds, $10,000 so far, so the athletes can work-off their fees and defray facility costs, by cleaning up trash, weeding and painting.
WBZ's Ron Sanders grabbed a brush and chatted with the athletes. "It's expensive even for kids who can afford it," he remarked.
"Yeah definitely. It's a lot of money to play, especially for families that have more than one kid in sports," explained Joey Falzarano, a senior left guard on the football team.
On the sidelines, some young athlete/painters got some coaching. "Just go along and see if there's a couple spots along here." Jonathan Pope, co-president of the athletic association, is a 1966 graduate of Gloucester High and played hockey here and paid no fees in his day. "It's absolutely amazing. We really expected maybe 40 or 50 kids. We got 130."
Ron continued to chat with the player/painters. "Tell me what sports you play."
"Field hockey, basketball," replied freshman Erica Morse.
"Why do you think it's important to do this?"
"Because you're giving back to your community," she answered.
"Do you think this will have a positive effect on your performance as athletes this year?" Ron asked Joey.
"Yeah. I mean, it brings us together. The more time you spend together with your team, the better you're going to be, obviously."
The program is packed with metaphors about team work. So, maybe one of the best things that can be said about these athletes trying to reach their goals is, touchdown.
Dick Wilson, co-president of the Gloucester Fishermen Athletic Association, said the kids have worked-off $5,800 in fees, and with a couple more events, they may actually eliminate all their fees for this year.
Wilson knows of no other school doing the same thing.
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