St. James Academy has a booster club?

Yes, that’s the job of the Crimson Club!  But it’s not a traditional booster organization because it is not dominated by any one sport; in fact, it serves all sports and activities. The Crimson Club just concluded its second year of existence with more than one-half of St. James Academy families as members.

When are the events and fundraisers?

The Crimson Club Golf Classic - June 25th, 2010 / Trivia Night - January 8, 2011.

What does the Crimson Club do?

It helps provide valuable support for students' teams and clubs.

The annual Activities Program is an activities and athletics publication featuring coaches, sponsors, teams, clubs and participants. It is distributed at all home events, reaching thousands of Thunder fans, as well as visitors from throughout the metro area and beyond. The Club’s members solicit advertising from area businesses to offset publication costs. The revenue generated by ad sales, combined with direct membership fees to join the Crimson Club, has fulfilled wishes of most of St. James teams and clubs, providing funding for major acquisitions.

Two more ways to improve Crimson Club’s funding capabilities: increase membership sales and increase advertising revenue. They are inter-mingled, because a family can join for free by selling advertising, then the corresponding ad rate will determine their membership level, as explained below.

I can join for free?

Yes! Just secure an advertisement for the Activities Program instead of paying a membership fee. For advertising submissions, for the 2010-2011 publication, Email Karen Maginn for an advertiser order form at kmaginn@sjakeepingfaith.org. Then ask an area businessperson to market their product/service to our community.  Any St. James Academy family securing an ad in the Activities Program receives the corresponding level of membership in the Crimson Club - at no out of pocket cost!

Additional advertising opportunities are available in the new 2010-11 School Calendar and on the individual sports rosters. (All these opportunities are explained on the advertiser order form below.)

What if I don't want to sell advertising?

Please complete the membership registration brochure below. Return with payment for your preferred level of membership to the St. James Academy Development Office.

Membership appreciation premiums will be distributed at check-in day, in early August.

Why should our family join?

Because student organizations may affordably enhance their experiences and reduce the number of times our students and families are asked to donate to any club’s efforts (for example:  jeans day passes; candy bar sales or trash bag sales) the Crimson Club serves as a resource for funding active students needs.

How did the Crimson Club make a difference last year?

Through an application process established by the Activities and Athletics offices, nearly every team/club has received benefits ranging from $400 up to $5,000.

Specifically, the Crimson Club enabled teams/clubs to acquire equipment, which will improve their performance, and enhance students’ experiences for years to come. For example:

· Wrestling was able to acquire foam safety mats needed for their workout space;

· Science Olympiad acquired durable goods, study guides, and items needed for transporting projects to competitions and storage;

· Soccer acquired four new goals for practices;

· Baseball and Softball started the new season with practice cages, and portable bases;

· Trainer’s Room will have its own ice machine and a whirlpool for rehabbing student-athletes;

· Basketball and Volleyball will be seated in official Thunder chairs at home events;

· Performing Arts acquired additional pipe and drape for performances;

· Drum Line has new drums;

· Tennis has a re-stringing kit for repairing old racquets, etc.

Could your organization benefit from an acquisition of equipment?

To enhance the long-range experiences of St. James Academy students, encourage the coach or sponsor to submit an application. They are available from the Director of Activities & Athletics by contacting rsnodgrass@sjakeepingfaith.org.

How can I get involved?

To volunteer for Crimson Club leadership, events, or communications please contact the Development Office at (913)254-4228 or Karen Maginn. So far, multiple volunteers who helped with club management have led the organization. They have participated in brainstorming sessions, served dinners, sold programs and rosters, started 50/50 drawings, set up receptions, and helped coordinate mailings. We are very grateful for all their efforts. On behalf of the coaches, sponsors and students at St. James Academy who benefit from the Crimson Club resources, thank you for your support!

Questions? Contact Karen Maginn, Director of Development, (913) 254-4228