St. Joseph Public Schools Launches 'Maize and Blue Fund' to support athletics
ST. JOSEPH, Mich. -- Student-athletes at St. Joseph Public Schools are getting a major boost with the launch of the Maize and Blue Fund. The fund is designed to enrich and support the experiences of athletics.
"We have about 45 percent of our student population that participate in athletics. So, when you talk about impact and impacting students' lives. Athletics is a no brainer. So, the Maize and Blue Fund, as it's known today, started out as this idea of, how do we how do we help support kids and enrich kids' lives through athletics?" President of the School Board of St. Joe Public Schools and VP of the Maize and Blue Fund Kerry Wright said.
According to St. Joseph High School Athletic Director Kevin Guzzo, this fund will go more towards larger projects like tennis court bathrooms renovations, a flagpole at baseball fields, and a new ticket booth for the stadium entrance.
"I've been here for 30 years, 21 years as the athletic director, and to see the community come together to support athletics makes me feel really proud to be in this community. We have a very supportive community. Our parents go above and beyond. Our business goes above and beyond to support our athletic teams. And now I think this fund will just take it to the next level," Guzzo said.
The fund will be managed by a board of directors of former St. Joseph athletes, parents of past and current athletes, and community members.
The fund has already raised $60,000 through community contributions. The president of the Maize and Blue Fund says this is just a steppingstone of what's to come.
"We are supporting all athletics at all levels. It's not just a football program or a baseball program or a girl basketball program, it's all sports, all levels, and such. The board we've set up in the committees we've set up is a very diverse group that have not only gender and age, but also the kind of the sports that they were involved in or affiliated to," President Rick Dyer said.
Dyer says for anyone who wants to donate can reach out to St. Joseph Public Schools.