School booster clubs holding ‘Meets’ to begin new year
JENNIFER FIERRO • STAFF WRITER
MARBLE FALLS — All four area high school booster clubs invite fans to meet players and coaches representing their communities during the annual gatherings at each high school in the next 10 days.
And best of all, events are free for fans. Just show up wearing your school’s colors.
• Marble Falls’ Meet the Mustangs is 7 p.m. Aug. 11 at Mustang Stadium, 2101 Mustang Drive in Marble Falls.
• Llano’s Meet the Jackets is Aug. 16 and includes an ice cream social at 6 p.m. and player introductions at 7 p.m. at the high school gym, 2509 Texas 16 South in Llano.
• Burnet’s Meet the Bulldogs is 5:30 p.m. Aug. 18 at Bulldog Field, 1000 The Green Mile in Burnet. The event includes a dunking booth, funnel cake and cotton candy booths and shaved ice for a fee. At 6 p.m., the Wednesday Night Boys and musician Tyler Smith take the music stage. The event coincides with the football team’s live scrimmage against Wimberley and includes a free hot dog dinner.
• Faith Academy of Marble Falls’ Meet the Flames is Aug. 20 at the football practice field, 3151 RR 1431 East in Marble Falls, after the live scrimmage against San Antonio St. Gerard at 10 a.m.
Members of the football, volleyball and cross-country teams will be introduced to fans at the events. The high school bands, cheerleaders and drill teams will serve as the entertainment, and each campus athletic director will address the crowds.
The events also provide an opportunity for fans to meet new coaches and their families.
The booster clubs will have membership drives, and fans can purchase apparel and other merchandise to get ready for the upcoming season.
Marble Falls Athletic Booster Club president Maureen Everett said the club’s football representatives have been busy creating new apparel.
“They’re excited about their designs,” she said.
In addition to extending well wishes to the high school athletes, fans also will see members of the Marble Falls Youth Football and Cheer Association. About 300 athletes will be introduced to the crowd.
Membership in the Marble Falls booster club, which is good for a year, is the biggest fundraiser for the organization, Everett said. A $50 membership includes a lawn sign. It reads “Mustang Nation” with an intertwining “M” and “F” and two running mustangs.
The role of the booster clubs is to help with budget shortages in the athletic departments. Last year, the Marble Falls booster club purchased a Polaris ATV, a stem machine and mobile water dispensers for the athletic department.
Therefore, she said, it’s vital fans become part of the club.
But aside from the membership drive, fans are encouraged to show their support for their high school programs because of what that does for the athletes.
Everett summed up the thoughts of many as she reflected on how the athletes feel when they see fans at games and other gatherings.
“That gives the athletes more confidence,” she said. “They get up at the crack of dawn. They see these signs, the flags flying with purple and gold. They think it’s worth it because my town is behind me.”
Baylor Scott & White Health is providing free bottles of water to fans, while H-E-B is donating water to the athletes.
Go to mfabc.org for more information on the Marble Falls Athletic Booster Club, dawgsathleticboosters.org on the Burnet Athletic Booster Club, and search for Llano and Faith Academy booster clubs on Facebook.
jfierro@thepicayune.com