Tri-County Holds “Adopt A Hurdle” Fundraiser for Track Program

THORNBURG—Tri-County Head Coach Andy Thomas and assistant coach Marian Springer came up with an idea to help fundraise for the Tri-County track team. The idea all stems around donating to the track and field program, and in return they will place your name, or the name of your business, on the hurdle. It is a great way to support the local community, while also serving as some advertising for local businesses.

The idea all stemmed from the new track that was built around the football field last year. The Trojans were able to build the new track and buy hurdles for the team. “One of the things we talked about at the board meeting was that we wanted to make sure the equipment is up to par. Whether that was new, or updating old equipment. We wanted to make sure they (the athletes) had what they needed. We ended up purchasing around 50 new hurdles on top of the ones we already have,” explained Coach Thomas. The one stipulation was that the track team hold some kind of fundraising that involved some form of advertising to encourage donations. It took a little bit of time, but Coach Thomas and Coach Springer formulated this idea for people in the community to “Adopt A Hurdle”. The basic idea behind it is that people donate a certain amount of money, and they can put their name, or the name of their business, on the hurdle. If you donate $100, that is worth one hurdle. If you would like to donate for two hurdles, that would be $170. The highest price point is for three hurdles, and that donation is $215.

The Trojans have spread the word of their fundraiser in any means they can find. It started off being posted on social media to spread awareness. Coach Thomas and Coach Springer also took a group of kids door to door to local businesses in hope of soliciting donations. 

The Tri-County program last year was able to send one of their hurdlers to the state meet despite the fact she had only started doing the hurdles that year. Sophomore Aailyah Cooper earned her spot in the state meet, and was ecstatic to be able to represent her team at the state level. She described the day with, “It is a fun accomplishment. You are nervous, but all that matters is representing your school and everyone from your town.”

Coach Thomas spoke on the accomplishments from Cooper with, “We were really proud of what she was able to accomplish. She did not do much hurdling prior to the state meet. She then had some success in it, and saw that she could be extremely competitive in our district. As soon as we talked about being a state qualifier, she really turned it up.”

Coach Springer added on with, “I think it was only four meets that she ran hurdles. She started running hurdles in the middle of the season. I got the bright idea after watching her jump over some hurdles for fun during practice to put her in one of our hurdle events. She had decent times for the 400 meter and 800 meter, so why not combine the two. She has fun jumping over things anyways.”