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.  Click here for more information and how to join.

When are the events and fundraisers?

Trivia Night was January 7, 2012 and it was a great success! More than 45 tables participated, resulting in hundreds of Crimson Club supporters who turned out in theme attire, toting their favorite snacks and beverages. Many thanks go to MC John Cissell for all his work on questions, categories and sound bites which resulted in excellent competition among attendees. Also, thank you to the Trivia Night Planning Committee, including Cathy Marks, Kathy Reid, Theresa Gartner, Gwen Wilson and Amy Cissell. Your work and the participation of so many Crimson Club friends helped us raise nearly $8,500 for our kids' activities and athletic programs!

The Crimson Club Golf Classic 2012, Monday, June 25, at Dubs Dread Golf Course in Kansas City, Kansas.

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 2012 Activities Program instead of paying a membership fee. For advertising submissions, watch your mail for instructions on how to secure your membership in exchange for an ad. 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 annual School Calendar and on the individual sports rosters. (All these opportunities are explained on the advertiser order form.)

What if I don't want to sell advertising?

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

Membership appreciation premiums will be distributed within a week of receipt of your registration.

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. Since it was founded, Crimson Club has awarded more than $100,000 to our students' activities and athletic programs!

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, robotics equipment and items needed for transporting projects to competitions and storage;

· Soccer acquired goals for practices;

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

· Trainer’s Room has its own ice machine for rehabbing student-athletes;

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

· Performing Arts acquired additional pipe and drape for performances, lighting and stage equipment;

· Instrumental Music received new drums, and other instruments;

· 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, available to download under the "Crimson Club Links".

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