WolfNotes BLSA Varsity Club eNewsletter

September 2004

Since 1985, a group of committed alumni have supported the BLS Varsity Club with the purpose to maintain, improve and promote athletics for all of Latin School’s students. For more information on how to help the Varsity Club, please contact Bruce McKinnon at (781) 318-2201.

* New BLSA Varsity Club Webpage
* Message from the Coach
* BLS and the Dual County League
* Student Athlete profiles
* BLS Win/Loss Record
* The Wish List
* Fall Sports Schedule
* Personal Best: A Profile of Coach John McDonough
* Events
* Varsity Club Membership

Message from the Coach
Dear Varsity Club Friends:

      Through the creativity and resolve of the athletic department, athletics at Boston Latin School continue to enrich the educational experiences of our students. And, despite a 9.25 percent loss to the 2003-04 budget - applied in the areas of awards, supplies and coaches - we were fortunate that no programs or levels were lost. It should also be noted that of this writing, last year's athletics produced three Dual Country League Champions, 44 DCL all stars and three all scholastic athletes, though none of these teams received awards because of the areas cut.
      With more cuts for the 2004-05 school year, we face more challenges ahead, and could face cuts to coaching stipends as well as transportation. Eliminations from either area equates the loss of a program or a team. Currently, Latin School's program includes 14 sports for girls and 14 sports for boys, fielding 44 teams on three levels, and filling approximately 800 roster sports with approximately 525 student/athletes. This is quite an undertaking, one that the school can be proud of and one that we must maintain.
      As a viable member of the Dual County League since 1982, we co-exist and compete successfully with our suburban counterparts, many of which have budgets that greatly eclipse our own. Still, the blend of urban and suburban has been educational and rewarding to all, and it is critical for BLS to remain competitive within this league. One top area of concern where we do not compete is among the stipends we are able to pay our sub-varsity coaches. Most receive in the neighborhood of $1,000 per season - the same amount I received in 1994 for coaching freshman basketball - a compensation rate of roughly $7.70 per hour. When considering the amount of out-of-pocket expense that each coach faces, it is no wonder that it has become so difficult to fill and retain these positions.
      Looking to the future, Latin School must add, not subtract, to its athletic program. There are several sports that we do not compete in within the DCL, most notably field hockey and lacrosse, and we must ask if we are losing some students to private schools because of this. Girl's hockey does not have a JV program, nor do we have freshman baseball or softball. In summary, this is Boston Latin School. We must continue to move forward. If we establish a program, it is our responsibility to maintain it, and to fairly compensate the coaches who work with our children within it.
      Again I ask, "How can I help?"

For more information, contact Varsity Club President Bruce McKinnon '74 or Alumni Relations Director Lynn Flaherty at blsa@blsa.org, or call (617) 450-0004 x127.