Our tax dollars only go so far in providing for our student-athletes’ experience.  Our District and School provide for many of the overhead costs for the benefit of all sports teams like facilities, officials, league fees, some coaches, medical supplies, awards/certificates etc.   However, the cost of operating a team is up to the team itself.  There are specific team building expenses that we require every player to pay as these are either for items they will keep or will directly benefit players themselves (spirit pack, transportation & team dinners).    Unlike the sports leagues or travel teams many of our players have participated in their youth, MVHS does not have a mandatory participation fee beyond covering the costs noted above but in order to cover costs for safety, practice or training equipment and uniforms, the expectation is that the coaches, parents and players on the team must take an active role in volunteering their time and in fundraising. As over half of our program needs are covered by donations and fundraisers, we have given a target to each and every player to raise at least $500.  The main fundraiser for the MVHS Spartan Football Program is our Summer Letter Writing Campaign followed by our new Coupon Book/Blitz Night Team Competition, our Snack Bar sales and the Football week of the Spartan Sports Camp.  The goal of our Summer Letter Writing Campaign is 100% participation with each player committing to write approximately 6 letters to potential supporters with a minimum of 1 letter to his or her parent.  The idea is for the players to write a personal letter reflecting what they are doing and to tie in their vested interest with the needs of our football program.  As a benefit to fans supporting the football program with donations from this campaign, donors may select Limited Edition Fan Gear. As we recognize that not every player has a personal support network who can donate directly in recognition of the player, there is a Coupon Book Fundraiser where every player is tasked to sell a target of 20 books.  We start the Coupon Book sales with a Blitz Night Team Competition.  The goal is for our players to go out to the community, demonstrate their personal commitment to the program and raise funds by selling a coupon book of local business sponsors.  The Snack Shack is another fundraiser where we need family support to volunteer and work shifts as well as to donate food or money to stock the snack bar.  In addition to the Snack Shack, Fanwear is also available for sale at home games.  The MVHS Sports Boosters gives directly back to teams who participate in their Fundraisers like the Spartan Tree Lot or with cost-sharing donations based on team requests or needs.  Lastly, there is the Spartan Sports Camp where our players work at the camp and for each participant in the camp, the football program receives back a direct contribution.