At ETHS, every club is required to have a sponsor, who coordinates meeting locations, manages logistics and handles other behind-the-scenes responsibilities. This year, however, several extracurriculars are struggling to find staff members to fill that role.
Major Match, a new club designed to educate students on different college majors, is sponsored by College & Career Coordinator Beth Arey. Co-founder and president of the club, Grace Van Den Berg, works closely with Arey.
“Our club sponsor helps book locations for our meetings,” said Van Den Berg. “Major Match relies on our sponsor for the logistics in bringing in college speakers, so our club would be dysfunctional without her.”
Unfortunately, many clubs go without sponsors each year, which can lead to a pause in operations or the dissolution of a club.
One club currently searching for a sponsor is Scholastic Bowl. Established in 1988, the team qualified for the National Scholastic Championship two years in a row and placed 33rd nationally last year. This year, however, the team’s activities are on pause.
Scholastic Bowl is a team-based trivia competition, similar to Jeopardy!. Teams of five compete by buzzing in to answer questions read aloud. If a player answers a toss-up question correctly, their team gets a chance to answer three additional bonus questions, each worth ten points, for a total of 40 points. The game, often called “Quiz Bowl,” is played in middle schools, high school and colleges across the country.
According to Chem/Phys teacher Terry Gatchell, who served as head coach for eight years, the team was very successful.
“It was a combination of superstar standout players supported by really well-prepared and astute supporting players,” said Gatchell. “I loved the anticipation of the competition and the preparation that we put in.”
According to Gatchell, the team has no place to practice, no structured activities and no one to organize competitions or transportation for after-school and Saturday events. In her eyes, the responsibilities of a sponsor are extensive.
“It is a huge commitment,” Gatchell said. “At many schools with very successful programs, their coaches’ only job is to coach Scholastic Bowl.”
While Gatchell was coaching, the team qualified for Nationals six years in a row.
“[Nationals] are not easy to qualify for; you have to finish in the top two or three spots at really competitive tournaments,” said Gatchell. “[ETHS’ Scholastic Bowl] is a notable team, and people are wondering where they are this year.”
This year, the lack of a sponsor has made it difficult for the team to continue its activities.
“While we held a few informal, student-led gatherings, we lacked access to a dedicated practice space, our equipment and the administrative oversight required to schedule competitions,” said senior Helen Sieland, the team’s captain.
The team currently has 13 returning members committed to the club and its continuation.
“We are actively pursuing every available avenue to secure a sponsor,” said Sieland.
According to Sieland, members have been personally contacting staff and working with Director of Student Activities Denise Clarke to spread the word. Without a sponsor, the team is unable to formally recruit, practice or compete.
Despite their current situation, Sieland is determined to continue the club and remains hopeful for its future.
“This club has meant so much to me and to so many other students over the decades, and that tradition is worth fighting for,” said Sieland.
