I want to give you the “Big Picture” of Wando athletics and its funding. Wando competes with the largest high schools in South Carolina in the AAAA classification. During the 2007-08 school year, the Wando athletic program earned a No. 2 ranking based on the achievements of our varsity athletic teams. High school sports in South Carolina are governed by the SC High School League which defines rules for participation, eligibility, and interscholastic competition. Wando has teams in every sanctioned sport including football, baseball, basketball, competitive cheer, golf, soccer, volleyball, wrestling, softball, swimming, tennis, cross-country, and track and field.  When you add all the boys’, girls’, varsity, junior varsity, and B teams for the various sports, we have 38 different teams. Students who do not make the sanctioned athletic teams are encouraged to participate in intramurals and other school clubs and organizations

During the 2009- 2010 school year, lacrosse will be added as a sanctioned sport, which will increase our team total to 42.  The challenge of providing practice space and game space for 42 teams is difficult.  We are very fortunate to have a spacious facility with lighted fields that are well-maintained by the Charleston County School District. The Town of Mount Pleasant is a critical partner that assists us with field space for some games and tournaments.    

In order to compete successfully at the AAAA level and support the needs of our program, major fundraising is an annual priority. The Wando All-Sports Booster Club works tirelessly to raise money, which then supports every athletic team at Wando.  At every home football game, Wando parents and community members, led by long-time Wando supporter Dolly Cannon, work in the concession stand where all profits go to our athletic program.  Funds are also raised from memberships, a golf tournament, an oyster roast and silent auction, and donations from many parents, local businesses, and community members.

Gate receipts from athletic events are another source of revenue for some of our sports. However, hosting a home athletic event can be costly. For example, putting on a varsity football game costs approximately $3500 for security, game officials, and gate workers.  Hosting a home JV/ varsity basketball game costs $1000 for security, officials, and event staff. Football is our largest revenue sport. After football expenses are paid, any balance is used to support non-revenue sports.

Many of our teams do not generate revenue. Individual teams typically do fundraisers to help offset the cost of uniforms and other equipment if the proceeds from their athletic competitions do not generate sufficient revenue to support that sport.  Charleston County School District (CCSD) does provide $18,000, which can used to help support non-revenue sports. The amount each school in CCSD is allocated is dependent on the number of sports that they offer.  

In addition to having student athletes, we must employ skilled coaches for each team. Our coaches are generally Wando teachers or teachers at our feeder schools, who receive a monetary supplement for this extra duty.  These supplements for assistant coaches range from $1500-$5000 depending on the years of coaching experience and sport.  

The Charleston County School District (CCSD) provides coaching supplements for each sport. However, the size of the team sometimes dictates the need for additional coaching staff.  For example, in track CCSD provides two supplements — one for a girls’ coach and one for a boys’ coach.  In a small school, two track coaches might be adequate.

However, at Wando last year we had 70 boys and 70 girls on our track teams. In order to provide enough coaches to properly instruct, supervise, and ensure safety of these 140 student athletes, funds were raised through the Booster Club to pay five additional supplements. A review of 2007-08 data shows that CCSD paid the supplements of 39 coaches at Wando, and our booster club and athletic department paid for another 28 supplements. In addition to having extra coaches for track, we also employed additional coaches in football, volleyball, cross-country, tennis, basketball, baseball, cheerleading, soccer and softball.

Travel costs are another major expense in running this massive sports program.  Travel costs for this year are projected to be $62,000. CCSD provides $7847 of this total.  CCSD provides and maintains activity vehicles/ buses and the school must pay the drivers and fuel costs.

High school athletics provide the opportunity for our more than 800 student athletes to learn the life skills of teamwork, discipline, and commitment. These lessons are taught on our athletic fields and in the gym everyday.  We very much appreciate the willingness of the East Cooper community to support Wando athletics.   

With your financial support, you are making a real difference in hundreds of young lives every year.