Anyone who is involved with high school athletics knows the importance of fundraising.
While fundraising itself is essential to any team’s program, unique fundraising can be even more vital as most teams can only have so many bake sales and car washes.
With that in mind, Conneaut basketball coach Tim Tallbacka and his staff created what he believes is a different fundraiser as the Spartans will host their third-annual Conneaut Boys Basketball Marathon Open Gym on Saturday, July 28.
“This is just an idea we brain stormed as a staff because we’re always looking for creative ways to raise some money,” he said. “There are a lot of businesses in Conneaut that are extremely generous with their donations and you hate to keep hitting them up so we thought this was a different idea.
“People like to come in and play and the kids like it so it’s a good opportunity for us I think.”
The cost to play is $5 per player with the proceeds benefiting the Conneaut High School Ben Club. Spectators can donate $2.
The gym opens at 10 a.m. with players from grades five through eight playing until noon. Then grades nine through 12 as well as alumni, parents and others playing from 12 until 5 p.m.
Tallbacka said events such as this are vital to the success of his program.
“It (fundraising) is critical for us,” he said. “A lot of schools are cutting teachers, there’s pay to play so it’s really important to offset the budget by raising money. We get long sleeve T-shirts for all our players with their names on the back and they get to keep them so this helps pay for that.
“This helps supplement the kids meals and fees when we go to camp, too.”
Tallbacka said anyone is free to come and play, not just current and former Conneaut players.
As far Tallbacka is concerned, the more the merrier as he said they will open a second court if enough players come.
“The first year we had a lot of alumni come in and we’ve had a couple guys play from the girls coaching staff,” he said. “Whoever comes in and plays is welcome. It’s always nice to see the alumni and really anyone who wants to come in and play from other schools is welcome, too.
“We’ve pretty much had Conneaut kids, but we had a few from Edgewood a few years ago and we see different kids at open gyms, too.”
Tallbacka said anyone looking for games in the later group should get there by 3 p.m. as the play seems to wind down after 4 p.m.
Although he admits he’s past his prime as a player, the coach said he still mixes it up with his guys.
“I still do play a lot in the offseason, but my game comes and goes,” he said, chuckling. “These guys are pretty physical and they’re a little stronger and quicker than I am now.”
Aside from the financial benefits of the day, Tallbacka said the event is a nice way to end the summer portion of basketball workouts.
With mandatory football practice beginning on July 30 and all other mandatory fall sport practices beginning on Aug. 6th, Tallbacka said he likes to have one final time with his guys.
“It really caps off our offseason because we’re not allowed to do anything in August so I like that part of it,” he said. “It really is the last time we’re together as two-a-days start soon and soccer starts soon. We’ll get to play a lot and it’s just a fun day. It’s not as competitive, it’s just a fun day and a good way for us to raise some money.”
Additionally, Tallbacka said he believes it’s a benefit to his current players to play against former Spartan players.
“It’s absolutely important,” he said. “I’m blessed to work with Ted Johnson, he plays with us a lot. We have some other guys who coach and come into open gyms regularly. It really is a big help.
“Not only because those guys are physically bigger, but most of them are in education too so they are able to talk to our guys and help them. Also, it always helps to play against better competition.”
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