October 11, 2018

There are a few hints that will tell you if the sport you are watching in Medicine Hat is a Medicine Hat College (MHC) Rattlers game: Rowdy gets the crowd going; student-athletes wearing black and gold are spotted on the court and cheering in the stands; and the Booster Club is selling 50/50 tickets.

“We are fortunate to have such an engaged Booster Club. They have a long history at the college and have provided support to our student-athletes for many years,” says Jennifer Kerslake, manager of fund development at MHC.

The Booster Club, which was formed in 1988, is made up of dedicated volunteers interested in improving the student-athletes’ access to quality education and athletic programming. The club provides annual scholarships and has built up an endowment that is currently $150,000 away from its goal of $1 million.

To help the Booster Club reach this milestone, the college is encouraging the community to donate and as incentive has secured funds to match the first $25,000 raised.

“We are excited to be working with MHC to try and reach our goal. This endowment will enable us to continue to offer support through scholarships and program enhancements,” says Donna Schneider, president of the Booster Club. “For most of us we know first-hand what it’s like to be a student-athlete, in reality it’s like having two full-time jobs. We want to alleviate some of that stress so that the students can focus on their academics and being a Rattler.”

Although any contribution is welcome, the college has created a Graduation Year Challenge, encouraging former students to give an amount related to their year of completion; for example, a graduate from 1975 could give a monthly recurring gift of $19.75 or a one-time gift of $197.50 or $1975.

“By donating to this endowment you are helping to build a legacy for student-athletes. Whether you attended MHC, watched a Rattlers game or know an athlete, we encourage you to make this the year you donate,” says Kerslake. “It’s a chance for us to give back to our students and also celebrate a long-standing partnership with the Booster Club.”

In addition to a call-out for monetary support, the college is asking all former students to reach out and re-connect.

“Whether you were in the first class at MHC in 1965, or took some classes in 2013, we would love to keep you up-to-date on the things going on at the college,” says Kerslake. “We will have a table at the upcoming home openers with alumni information and a chance to win some Visa gift cards, so we hope to see you there.”

Representatives from the college and Booster Club will be present at the basketball home opener on Oct. 12 at 6 p.m. for the women’s game and 8 p.m. for the men’s match, and on Oct. 20 for volleyball with women at 1 p.m. and men at 3 p.m.

To update your record with the college or to sign up as an alumni, visit: www.mhc.ab.ca/alumni.

To learn more about the Booster Club and their commitment to supporting student-athletes, visit: www.mhc.ab.ca/boosterclub.