Booster Club

With budget cuts impacting many local districts, including Newtown, certain costly aspects of high school athletics may not be viewed as essential by boards of education, however, they are sometimes critical to the success and sustainability of the programs themselves. 

            It is for this reason that Newtown residents Andy Sachs, Todd Piccuillo and others created The Hawks Nation Booster Club almost two years ago. As a non-profit organization, the primary goal of this group is to enhance all athletic programs at the high school through fundraising.

            “For decades Newtown had a thriving booster club, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars that supported all of its athletics,” Hawks Nation President Andy Sachs said. “Unfortunately, time and COVID took its toll and the original booster club ran out of money and members to support it. About a year and half ago, a small but dedicated group of parents, at the request of the athletics department reimagined a booster club that would work to serve today’s athletics program, its student athletes and the community.”

            For the past year and a half the Newtown High School athletics booster club has made many recent purchases for numerous athletic teams and programs. 

“In the budget climate we are in, it has been great to have them be able to provide not necessarily necessities, but things to better our programs and positively impact our student athletes,” Athletic Director Matt Memoli said.

            For this spring season specifically, Hawks Nation fundraised for and purchased a front toss net for the Softball program.

            “Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Hawks Nation Booster Club, our softball team received a brand new on-field screen. An on-field screen allows us coaches to deliver front toss for batting practice,” NHS Softball Coach Megan Goyda said.

            While this may not be an essential piece of equipment in order to play the game, the previous net had broken and it became dangerous for coaches to use with their athletes.

“Also, because it was broken, we had to spend time temporarily fixing it each time we used it. With our new screen, transitions during practice are faster and it has allowed us to stay safe while productively getting in offensive reps at practice,” Goyda said.

            In addition to sports equipment, the club reached out to all varsity coaches and has provided every athletic program at NHS with the opportunity to purchase an item to benefit the athletes of that program. 

            “This far, Hawks Nation has purchased requested items for over a dozen teams and will continue to fulfill requests as we are able,” Sachs said.

            While the booster club is known for providing athletic equipment, their support goes beyond that. They've also funded items to enhance the overall game-day experience and team environment.

            “The boys’ basketball team was looking to buy a portable speaker to use in our locker room, in the weight room, and on the bus. Hawks Nation was kind enough to purchase it for us,” NHS Boys Basketball coach Matt Murphy said. “It has added a lot not only to our program, but others that have borrowed it.”

The members of Hawks Nation have many long term goals, which they call their capital projects. This includes raising funds for long-term capital projects like upgrading the student fitness center and stadium lighting, as well as the addition of a field house at Blue & Gold Stadium. 

            “With the start of this spring season, we just got new lacrosse nets for our home games from Hawks Nation and they are really nice,” NHS girls lacrosse player Abby Ihlefeld said.

            Some other fundraising ideas and goals include being able to provide supplemental funding for assistant coaches, equipment, and strength training. 

            “Putting a top notch program out there is expensive. Especially in tougher economic climates. It is Hawks Nation’s goal to become a sustainable force in driving Newtown High School Athletics to the next level and beyond,” Sachs said.

A long term goal has recently become a reality as Hawks Nation has raised funds in order to award a scholarship for the upcoming graduating class of 2025. Hawks Nation is offering two $500 scholarships to one male and one female student athlete who will be attending a post-high school education.

While this is the first year that this program is able to award this scholarship, the hope is that for upcoming years they will continue to provide scholarships. 

“We are very excited to be able to award the Hawks Nation scholarship to a graduating female and male athlete each year. We hope our award helps make paying for college or other higher education programs a little easier for the recipients and their families. It’s also another great way to recognize those student athletes that have done a great job representing Newtown High School on the field and in the classroom,” Hawks Nation Vice President Todd Piccuillo said. 

In order to be eligible to apply for this scholarship, student athletes must be a resident of Newtown, be a senior who is graduating in the 2025 class, have played at least one season of a varsity sport, be continuing an education post high school as well as demonstrate personal qualities deserving of this award – leadership, good academic standing, volunteerism, etc.

            The applications will be reviewed by the board and recipients of this scholarship will be awarded at the Newtown High School awards ceremony in May.

            In order for many of these projects to gain proper funding, Hawks Nation has accumulated many partnerships with local companies and organizations. 

            “Many local businesses have generously signed on as sponsors, and we also look to current NHS families and alumni to help support the cause as well,” Piccuillo said.

Hawks Nation’s platinum partners include Around Town Real Estate, of which Andy Sachs is Managing Broker, as well as Ingersoll Auto of Danbury and TJ Garvin and Co. Some other local businesses that are involved in this booster club are Cover Two Sports Cafe, Sabrina Style, Church Hill Physical Therapy and Sugo Gastrobar. 

“We launched Hawks Nation to try to ensure that all Newtown High athletes and teams feel supported, not just by the school and athletic department, but by the greater Newtown community as well,” Piccuillo said.