Apple Valley High School Hockey   Apple Valley Hockey Boosters

Apple Valley High School Hockey

Apple Valley Hockey Booster Club

What does the Apple Valley High School Boys Hockey Booster Club do?

Our biggest goal is to assist the coaching staff in having a first-class hockey program. In order to accomplish this, the boosters serve in 2 ways;
  1. Fundraising
  2. In-Season Extras
First a word on cost. It is not free to play high school hockey. As you know, hockey is a very expensive sport and District 196 gives very little financial support to most school sports, which is why there are booster clubs.

Here is a quick breakdown of what you can expect to pay (along with 2003-2004 costs):
  • Captains Practice (optional) - $125
  • Try-Out Fee (returned if not on varsity or JV) - $120
  • Booster Club fee (This is above what the boosters bring in thru fundraising) - $350
The booster club fee fluctuates based on our fundraising success. We cannot force anyone to pay this fee; the booster club is purely a volunteer organization.

Fundraising / Financial Needs

Because Coach Hayes receives very little help from the district, he works very closely with the booster club in meeting the financial needs of the boys' hockey program.

Here are some of the items that need to be taken care of each year:
  • Equipment repair/replacement
    • Each player receives…
    • gloves
    • breezers
    • practice jersey and socks
    • home jersey and socks
    • away jersey and socks
    • team jacket
    • equipment bag
    All of this equipment is returned at the end of the season and needs to be repaired or replaced (2003-2004 we purchased new home jerseys)
  • Transportation to away games
  • Assistant Coaches stipend - the assistant coaches get very little monetary support for all their time and effort. The booster club helps with this.
Then there are the items that make playing high school hockey special
  • Northern Tour
  • Moorhead trip
  • Team Sweats
  • Team Poster
  • Game Programs
  • Alumni game
  • Locker Room Incentives
  • Face-Off Dinner
  • Dryland Equipment
  • End-of-Year banquet
All of this is handled by the fundraising effort of the booster club and its fees. The fundraising that we do includes…
  • Program Advertising/Donations
  • Fall Festival booth and ticket sales (Sept)
  • Dinner/Dance/Silent Auction (Oct)
  • MHC (players work on weekend stuffing envelopes - early Fall)
  • Spaghetti Dinner/Legion (January)
  • Chuck-a-Puck (each home game)

In-Season Extras

We try and provide the boys with the "extras" that will make their high school hockey experience one they will not forget.
  • Clothing Sale
  • Hospitality Room
  • Locker Room Incentives
  • Face-Off Dinner
  • Alumni Game
  • End-of-Year banquet
  • Scrapbook
  • Video
  • Posters
  • Seniors Night
  • Alumni Game
  • In past season we purchased tickets
    • for the whole team to see "Miracle"
    • for the varsity players to attend the Mr. Hockey banquet
    • Hockey Hall-of-Fame
  • We pay for certain meals when they are on the road

In Summary

As you can see, a lot goes into helping with the hockey program. The members of the booster club do any outstanding job of "stepping up to the plate" to get all this done.

A word on Captain's Practice

  • The booster club is not affiliated with captain's practices
  • These are run by an individual separate from the high school and booster club
  • Usually begins around the start of the school year and runs up to try outs
  • This ice time is for potential AV high school players who no longer have any bantam eligibility left
  • Full equipment is expected
  • No alumni
  • Attendance is taken
  • No rough play tolerated

A Note from the President

This past season was my first experience with any type of booster club. I had no idea what to expect. I hope this letter answers some of your questions. I have to say that being the in AV boys' hockey booster club was a great time. When you work with others for the same cause it draws everyone closer. I can say it made this season a joy to be a part of.

I do not expect any parents of bantam-aged players to just "jump right in". I do suggest you try and attend the booster club meetings that we have prior to next season's try-outs so you can get a feel for what we are trying to accomplish.

Thank You AV Boys Hockey Booster Club