LINCOLN PARK — Lincoln Park High School is trying to raise money for its football teams to compete with better-funded suburban squads.
"We've identified needs as a program and instead of constantly asking our school to support us financially, we want to meet them halfway and try to generate funds," said Vince DeFrancesco, new head coach of the school's varsity team.
For the first time, the neighborhood school at 2001 N. Orchard St. has formed a booster club dedicated to raising money toward the football program, including equipment, jerseys, headsets and team meals.
DeFrancesco, an assistant coach last year, said the decision to form the club has more to do with making sure the Lincoln Park Lions can compete with the better-funded suburban football teams, and less to do with recent district-wide cuts. He added that the school's budget for sports has "always been tight."
"Although the Lincoln Park players and coaches work just as hard as their competitors, budget constraints limit the team’s opportunities and ability to compete on the football field. The booster club hopes to, at least in part, level that playing field," a news release reads.
DeFrancesco also said the club is a good opportunity for students to learn more about community outreach.
The long-term goal is to raise $25,000 over the course of a few years, he said. Already the club has raised $5,000 in sponsorships, advertisements and donations — including sponsorships from real estate firm @properties.
Despite budget constraints, the school's varsity football team saw success last year, achieving a 7-3 record and making it to the Illinois High School Association State 7A playoffs for the first time in many years. Two senior players, Amari Freeman and Donte Allen, were also named Illinois high schools' "top wide receivers."
DeFrancesco, who also teaches physical education and drivers education at the school, said he has "very high expectations" for this coming season.
Excitement surrounding the school's football program is at an "all-time high," he said, with about 50 students going out for the team this year.
Elementary schools, not high schools, initially lost sports programs due to district-wide cuts. Critics of the cuts said it would cripple the city's high school sports teams by shrinking the pool of potential athletes.
But now the district is saying it will "provide guidance, support and coordination" to elementary schools. The schools will still have to compensate coaches for their time, as well as pay for referees, equipment, uniforms and transportation, DNAinfo Chicago previously reported.
Expecting a 30-pupil drop, Lincoln Park High School lost a total of $295,995 for the coming school year, a 2.07-percent decrease from last year, according to data provided by Chicago Public Schools.
Of that amount, it lost $38,803 toward activities outside the classroom, including sports and clubs, and $257,192 toward core instruction funds. The school's total budget for the coming school is a little more than $14 million.
School principal Michael Boraz was unfazed by the cuts, saying the school is "fine budget-wise." He added that the school needed to lose some students because it was on pace to become overcrowded.
For more information about the booster club, and to donate, visit the team's website.
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