LETTER TO COACHES

"With launching our new site – www.urbandalewear.com we have created an opportunity to generate additional revenue for the Athletic Programs at Urbandale High School.  Included in this will be the ability for each program to generate revenue as well.

Many of you purchase items from team t-shirts to polo shirts to sweatsuits, etc. and pass the cost on to your students.  I have expressed my concern with some of the methods and vendors that we have used in the past relative to this process.  Whether it be your time, the collection of money or other concerns, I have not been comfortable with the way some of this has been accomplished.

This website will meet many of your needs relative to this process.  You will be allowed to select and/or have your students select items that they wish to have as their “teamwear” for the year.  You will have the ability to design and select the items to be sold and then have Broken Arrow manage both the money and merchandise through www.urbandalewear.com.  Remember – with this plan – you will have the opportunity to offer the same items to students at the Middle School without having to do much leg work.

The profit that the Booster Club generates off of general sales associated with this venture will be placed into the general operating account of the organization.  The profit that is generated through team sales such as this will be divided equally between the Booster Club, which supports each program with a significant donation to the Athletic portion of the Activity Fund each year, while the other 50% of the profit will go into your 410 Fundraising Account that I control for your use.

In addition to team sales, parents groups will be able to utilize the site.  The entire profit from those sales will go directly into your 410 Fundraising Account for Parents’ Use in such items as the Banquet and Coach’s Gifts.

To date, I have spent a great deal of time with Broken Arrow on this plan and am confident it will work if you want to utilize it.  The single drawback that I see may be the fact that Broken Arrow may not be able to obtain brand name items from Nike or Adidas, but they are researching that at this time.

If you are interested in starting this program for the Spring or Summer of 2004, plan to meet with me after early after break so that we can get the ball rolling.  I think this is a natural fit for many of you that want your students, fans and parents in the same attire supporting your program and has the potential to generate significant money for your activity."

William R. Watson, CAA
Activities Director
Urbandale Community School Distric