Gloucester Alumni

Gloucester Daily Times
by Douglas A. Moser

The Gloucester Fishermen Athletic Association presented the School Committee with a check for $65,000 on Wednesday night to help cover the remaining $85,000 needed for the city's athletic budget.

Richard Wilson, president of the new association, said the money was raised primarily from the November Pride Night fundraiser.

"People were thrilled we had it, and I wouldn't be surprised if we doubled attendance next year," he said of the event.

The event attracted more than 1,000 people. The price of their tickets and an auction helped raised nearly $70,000. The association originally estimated it would raise $30,000.

The contribution was to help pay athletic director Kim Patience and an administrative aide. User fees, gate receipts and revenue from the Dorothy Talbot Rink make up a majority of the program's funding this year. During the budget season, the School Department eliminated money for athletics.

School officials and community members founded the athletic association to raise money to cover the rest of the cost.

Greg Verga, vice chairman of the School Committee, said the athletic account got a bit of a boost from a greater number of students signing up for fall and winter sports than predicted.

"Some of the revenues are coming in better than we conservatively estimated," he said.

If there is still a deficit in the spring, Wilson said the schools could come back to the Gloucester Fishermen Athletic Association for the remainder.

The money goes into a designated account that can be used only for athletics.

"It goes directly into the athletic revolving account for the sole purpose of funding athletics," said School Committee member Carolyn Kirk.

The idea for Pride Night, which originated this summer, included having live bands, a disc jockey, live and silent auctions, finger food and a 50/50 raffle. All food, entertainment and items raffled during the event were obtained through donations from residents and business owners. More than 80 donated items, worth $45,000, were auctioned at the live and silent auctions.