9th Grade, B Squad, Varsity Reserve Photos
29 JanAustin Packer Basketball is in full swing. Here are a few photos of the 9th Grade, B Squad and Varsity Reserve teams. Keep up the hard work!
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The Packers have struggled on the road but return to Austin to host the Mayo Spartans this Friday. These are a great group of guys who go out each week and play with a passion that says – “We aren’t quitting!” So let’s wear our “red” and show our good, old fashioned, home town, Austin Packer Pride!
From the Prez
24 JanWe are now at the halfway point of the basketball season and the Fast Break Club has continued to stay busy and support the team. Recently a meeting was held of the Executive Committee and the Committee Chairs to discuss a variety of activities that the Club is involved with. This newsletter will provide you with a quick update of the many items that are a part of the Club’s activities.
Treasurer’s Report. As of January 16th, the Fast Break Club’s account balance was just over $5,400.00. Various budgeted items yet to be expended leave approximately $2,500.00 for future support of the team. Additional expenses that remain to be completed include, but are not limited to, banquet and awards, long-term project fund, coaching salaries, with future needs including but not limited to shorts for the 9th grade players, summer tournament fees, video and computer equipment, etc.
3-Point Club. Solicitation letters were mailed in mid December. As each of you review this memo, if you haven’t yet made a contribution to the 3-Point Club, please consider doing so. Checks can be made payable to AYB Fast Break Club. Your contribution can be mailed to AYB Fast Break Club, 4318 20th Avenue NW, Austin, MN 55912.
Thanks to all of you who have contributed thus far. The 3-Point Club plans a follow up calling effort to contact individuals who received the previous letter this coming Sunday evening, January 28th. Mark Coffey and Tim Fritz head up the 3-Point Club effort. Contact either of them with any questions that you might have.
Game Day Activities. Signe Rizzi and Jane Justice have been very busy during game day activities raising money for the basketball team. The raffle is currently underway. Tickets are available prior to home games. In addition, the Fast Break Club is selling Younkers Community Day coupons. The coupon book costs $5.00 and contains a $10.00 coupon, along with eight 20% off coupons. See Joan Maxfield or Kelly Collier to purchase a coupon book.
The committee continues its game day activities, including the 50-50 draw and the half-time hoop shoot. These 2 activities have been tremendously successful this year. In addition, the student gift card drawing is another popular activity conducted by this committee. Thanks to all of you who have helped with the projects.
Senior Night. The Senior Night Committee is busy preparing for senior night activities for the home game on February 16th. A new wrinkle will be added to senior night this year when all basketball players in grades 9 to 12 will be invited to the cafeteria following the game for pizza and refreshments. This activity will be for players and coaches and is sponsored by the Fast Break Club. Other activities to recognize the team’s seniors are currently being planned.
Playoff Dinner. The Fast Break Club will host a spaghetti dinner on Tuesday, March 6th for all of the varsity players, their families, and the coaching staff and their families the night before the team’s first playoff game. More details of this event will be forthcoming.
Banquet. The Banquet Committee (Bob & Kelly Collier) has scheduled the season ending banquet for Sunday, March 25th. Many of the details have yet to be worked out as to the nature of the banquet, but you might mark your calendar accordingly if you plan to attend. The season ending banquet will be for all players, 9-12 and their families.
Again, a big thank you to all of you who have contributed in one form or another to the success that the Fast Break Club has achieved in its first few months of existence.
Hopefully the Packers can continue to dominate at home and pick up a few road wins as the season enters its second half. Go Packers!
Steve Rizzi, President
Fast Break Club
Executive Committee Meeting Minutes
22 JanFast Break Club Executive Committee and Committee Chairs Meeting
Tuesday, January 16th, 2007
7:30-9:00 PM
Law Office of Steve Rizzi
Meeting Called To Order by Steve Rizzi
Present: Steve Rizzi, Tim Fritz, Joan Maxfield, Mary Weisert, Jane Justice, Signe Rizzi, Jayne Gibson, Bob Collier, Kelly Collier, Mark Coffey
Treasurers’ Report: Mary Weisert shared a copy of bank statements and treasurers’ report showing the account balance is currently $5,483.07. Current budgeted items that have yet to be expended include the banquet, the long term project fund, coaching salary and food for the trips to Mankato and Winona. Once these budgeted amounts are subtracted a balance of $2783 remains. President Rizzi will look into setting up another meeting with the AHS varsity coaching staff to determine immediate needs for these dollars.
Game Day Committee Report: President Rizzi and all members in attendance acknowledged Signe Rizzi and Jane Justice for the outstanding job they are doing with the game day activities.
At this point, $205 has been raised for the upcoming Raffle. Tickets will be sold at the two home games scheduled to happen before the Raffle drawing. The Raffle includes prizes such as Timberwolves tickets, Twins tickets, Holiday Inn and El Mariachi gift certificates.
Once the Raffle drawing is completed, a booth for the Younkers Community Day fundraiser will be set up for pre-game. Sales are going on now for Younkers Community Day coupon books. Thee books are to be sold for $5.00 each – these dollars go directly to the club. In the coupon books, the buyer will find a $10 off coupon that can be used on March 2nd, Community Day, as well as a variety of percent off coupons that can be used at various times. See Joan Maxwell or Kelly Collier to purchase coupon books.
It was decided that all players grades 9-12 will be invited for Godfathers’ Pizza after the home game February 16th. Jayne will check on pizza prices. Signe will check on soda/water donations from HyVee and securing a location (the AHS cafeteria was suggested). Steve Rizzi will check this idea with Coach Fadness. (As a side note, Coach Fads did okay this idea when Steve talked to him.)
A Pasta Party to kick off playoffs was suggested for all varsity team members and their families. Those present liked the idea and discussed possible locations – the Nature Center was the favorite and Jayne will check on reservation and price. Bob Weisert will check with Hyvee about securing the food (spaghetti, garlic bread, and a salad). Steve Rizzi will check with Coach Fadness. The possible dates for this are Monday, March 5th or Tuesday, March 6th. (As a side note, Coach Fadness liked this idea and the date of March 6th has been set.)
Thank You Notes: Kathy Fritz has been doing a great job of getting thank you’s distributed in a timely manner. As Kathy has been receiving the names, she has been handwriting and mailing the notes (this was reported to those present on her behalf by Tim Fritz). Kathy was going to be sure that all program advertisers received a thank you note. All 3 point club donors, raffle donors and special requests have received a thank you note. Additionally, the company that donated the water and powerade for the Jamboree will be sent a thank you note as soon as possible.
Banquet Committee Update: The date for the banquet will be Sunday, March 25. The location is yet to be determined, but the Spam museum has been suggested. The committee is in the early planning stages, but as of now are thinking ice cream sundaes or desserts will be served. Kris Fadness will provide the names of the special award winners to the Colliers who will take care of plaques. The committee will take care of decorating the facility. Each team member, grades 9-12, will receive a memory book that includes pictures, stats and facts from throughout the season. If you have pictures to donate to this project, please contact Bob or Kelly Collier.
Three Point Club: Chairperson Coffey and member Tim Fritz reported that 233 letters were mailed, and 30 have been returned. They are currently seeking volunteers to make follow up phone calls. A tentative date has been set for Sunday, Jan. 28, 7:00-9:30 PM using Steve Rizzi’s law office. The committee will put together a script for the callers to use.
Tim Fritz was given the okay to spend up to $500 to purchase 100 ink pens containing basketball and the words “Three Point Club” inscribed on the side. He was encouraged to negotiate the price and request the set up fee be donated. These ink pens will be sent to all “top of the key” donors at the end of the year along with a wrap up of the season and the success of the club as a thank you.
President Rizzi did indicate that some commercial businesses have expressed an interest in supporting the club. The three point club will be modifying the three point club mailing to specifically solicit financial donations from local businesses including Sterling State Bank and other banks and businesses around Austin.
Other Business: Jayne is currently looking into grants through the Austin Public Education Foundation. She will report back once she learns more!
The meeting was then adjourned.
Packer Fast Break Club 