By Ben Blackburn, SHHS class of ’87 (OT, DE) & current football parent
I’m writing on behalf of the newly formed Haven Gridiron Club, which is an organization comprised of parents and alumni committed to seeing Strath Haven High School Football return to its former glory.
In recent years the program has suffered from declining participation and budget cuts driven by larger economic pressures on the school district. These factors have impacted Strath Haven’s ability to compete at the upper echelon of the Central League and in the state playoffs. Coach Clancy continues to field talented, hard-nosed teams, but when faced with programs able to bring more resources and twice as many players to bear, it has been tough sledding for our Panthers.
We’d like to change that.
Our plan is to fund additional equipment, technology and coaching positions, provide a top-notch experience for the players by supporting all of the efforts of the Football Booster program and to raise the profile of the program in the community. Further, we believe that by actively engaging former players in the current program, we can bring back some of the fabled Panther Pride that fueled the program’s historic success. Our plan is to invite at least one former team from Strath Haven, Swarthmore or Nether Providence High Schools to one of the home games each year for a reunion and to honor their achievements, starting this coming fall with the 1999 team to celebrate the 20 year anniversary of their State Championship.
Here’s where you come in:
As our first major effort, we’d like to fund the purchase of new practice jerseys new headsets, a chute for the practice field, and new blocking pads in time for the start of summer practice. We also need to fund the booster’s normal operations, including programs, pasta dinners, jackets and the banquet. In order to do this, we need to raise $20,000 by mid July..
Please consider donating in any amount you wish.
Online donations can be made via Pay Pal at strathhavenfootball@gmail.com or checks can be made out to The SHHS Football Parents Assoc, Inc and mailed to Haven Gridiron Club, C/O Ben Blackburn, 10 Berkshire Drive, Wallingford PA 19086.
This project is also endorsed by the rest of the Haven Gridiron Club Board: Theresa Belville, Derek Ryder, Evan Prochniak, Brandon Haly, Dan Shaffer, Lance Bailey, Bill Shaw, Chris Deering, Josh Hannum Isaac Jones Steve Henry Christine Burk Doug LIberi Peter Deering
William Elder, Andy Russell, Sean Kelly, Jeff Jacobs,and Mark Virga.
