Imagine the impact of an extra $7,000. Maybe a nice down payment on a car, or the freedom to pay off menacing bills.
In the world of high school athletics, $7,000 can go a long way towards uniforms, facility upgrades and transportation. So when Hereford High?s athletic department is presented a check tonight 10 minutes before the basketball team?s 7 p.m. tip-off with Lansdowne, Bulls athletic director Mike Kalisz will have a problem on his hands. But, as Kalisz said, it?s a good problem, thanks to local State Farm agent Kevin Swanson.
“Kevin?s generosity will allow us to achieve these goals,” Kalisz said.
While the presentation is during the pre-game celebration of a basketball contest, the donation will go toward the entire athletic department.
“It?s extremely important to be involved there,” said Swanson, who opened his agency in Monkton on Dec. 1. “We?re looking to be as involved as possible on many levels in the community. And we plan on volunteering a lot of time up there.”
Swanson?s firm will get two advertising banners ? one each in the gymnasium and at the football field ? and is planning to be visible in person volunteering at the school. Swanson played lacrosse and ran track growing up and has since become involved in marathons.
Hereford is well-known for its cross country program, which hosts the Bull Run Invitational and the state cross country meet every fall. The cross country program has earned 17 of the school?s 42 state titles.
“The school up here has a lot of pride, and they?re always very good in their athletic program,” Swanson said. “It?s really the tie that bonds the community. It services the entire northern Baltimore County area.”
Swanson compared the athletic atmosphere to that of a small town in the Midwest, where the entire population comes out for an event. That community involvement is key in funding the program.
“The booster?s club does a great job in assisting us with our needs, and they?re very active,” Kalisz said. “I?ve been here 13 years, and we?ve probably received over $100,000 in miscellaneous donations from individuals, businesses ? those types of things.”
Kalisz mentioned a local grocery store as a constant supporter and said there is a corporate sponsor that has agreed to put forth funding for a scoreboard on the baseball field. Ron Bilenko, Baltimore County?s coordinator of athletics, said booster clubs are key in funding local programs.
“Most of our schools, just like in the band organizations, have parent booster clubs that contribute funds that buy extras for the program,” Bilenko said. He added that the county funds basics like transportation and equipment, but that schools are often responsible for updating uniforms.
Kalisz said $7,000 from Swanson will likely go toward uniforms, equipment and new public address systems in THE gym and football stadium.
