Quarterback Club looks to boost Cadott involvement

To kick off the start of the high school football season in Cadott, the Quarterback Club (Cadott Booster Club) held a community tailgate party to raise funds for youth equipment purchases. Kids and adults could fill their plates full of food, via goodwill offering, and play games near the high school, prior to the varsity game. Photos by Ginna Young

By Ginna Young

Do you know what youth sports are happening in Cadott, when the games are and where? That’s what the Cadott Booster Club, officially known as the Quarterback Club, is trying to get the word out about.

The club was started three or four years ago, when the CAB organization, which ran concessions, was low on volunteers and starting to dissolve.

“We, as a football program, started it, and now, this year, we’re taking it to that next level,” said club treasurer/fundraising coordinator Jodene Chrusciel. “We want to try dif- ferent functions to get the community involved with our football program…and we’re going to try to promote other organizations.”

The club has about a dozen members, but any parents are welcome to join, or come to a meeting to give input and suggestions. Meetings take place the last Wednesday of the month, at Whispering Pines Golf Course, at 8 p.m.

This year, the club is planning a tailgate party at every home game and are asking for a donation for a plate of food.

“Money goes in the Booster Club fund that helps purchase new equipment, maintain equipment and allows every kid, at every level, the opportunity to play,” said club media coordinator Karen Winchell.

After their opening night tailgate party Aug. 20, the club is planning future tailgate themes, such as military and senior player celebration nights. During those tailgate times and at the following game, the club offers t-shirts, hats and bracelets for purchase.

“I know with the schools, their funding gets…cut,” said Chrusciel. “Well, then, I can’t have my (youth) football players out there if they don’t get the proper equipment. I know the school does what they can, but there’s still that gap.”

With proceeds from tailgate parties and merchandise sales, the youth organizations are able to have equipment to film games.

“If we don’t have that equipment, we can’t show the kids what we need to do,” said Chrusciel, adding that it is an important part to the players’ safety.

Chrusciel says the club would also like to spread into other sports as the program picks up momentum, with 90 percent of football players as multi-sport athletes.

“As we get going, we’re going to expand,” she said.

For now, the goal is to make people aware of the youth flag football program – who has four teams playing – as well as a tackle football program.

“We just want community members to know when their games are, where their games are, to get people there,” said

Chrusciel. Included on the club officer list, are president/ varsity assistant football coach Shane Mathison and secretary Tony Roscoe, as well as a lot of other coaches who volunteer their time and efforts.

“We’re all stepping in and trying to help out,” said Chrusciel.