The State Fair Community College Booster Club held its annual picnic at the Fred E. Davis Multipurpose Center on Sunday, Sept. 16. The event began with a meal consisting of traditional picnic fare prepared by the booster club and athletic staff members.

 

“It's a great event to have, especially for new players,” said Kevin Bucher, assistant women’s basketball coach. “They get to see how involved our booster club is. Most of our returners already have their foster parents, but this event gives our new players an opportunity to meet their foster parents. It more or less is to have a good time and hopefully kick-start the athletic season.”

 

Following the meal, each coach addressed the more than 100 people in attendance at the event. Each coach thanked the booster club members for the meal and the support they provide for the teams throughout the year. After the coaches spoke, they introduced their teams for the upcoming year.

 

Head volleyball coach Diane Shipley spoke about her team’s season so far. She said that her team received votes in the national poll this past week. Shipley also encouraged those in attendance to come out and watch the team play during the upcoming State Fair Classic.

 

Head spirit squad coach Dana Page told the crowd that her team's practices were going well so far. She said the crowd will really be amazed at some of the things that the squad can do. "We were practicing a stunt earlier in the year and one of the cheerleaders almost hit the ceiling," said Page.

 

New head men's basketball coach Dale Ribble said that he was excited to get the season started. He and assistant coach Kevin Thomas hope to put a team on the floor that the community will be proud to come and watch. Coach Ribble also issued a challenge to the booster club by asking members to bring their friends out to watch the teams play.

 

Head women's basketball coach Darren Pannier told the crowd expectations were high for his team this year. "We should be ranked in the top 15 in the preseason polls," said Pannier. He also said that with those expectations, the players will carry a bull's-eye on the back of their uniforms.

 

In addition to introducing the student athletes to booster club members, this event also served as a kickoff for the Adopt-a-Player Program. This program pairs student athletes with local families to help make the athletes’ experience at SFCC more enjoyable. Some of the student athletes come from many miles away, so this program gives them a home away from home.

 

Freshman basketball player Angela Burrell met her adopted parents for the first time at the picnic. "When I met them, they sounded like pretty cool, nice parents that I can have fun with," said Burrell.

 

The Adopt-a-Player Program also plays a big role from a coach’s perspective as well.

 

“This year we have a lot more student athletes that are not from the area. So, they are stuck in the house all the time. It’s an opportunity to know that there is someone in this community that will follow them through their academics and athletics. There’s someone in the stands that is going to be cheering for them,” said assistant coach Kevin Bucher.

           

BackBone of Health Chiropractic Wellness Center provided in-kind clinical and court-side health services valued at $11,700 to the State Fair Community College Athletic Department during the spring semester. 

Drs. Michael Perusich and Jonah McCandless provided sports physicals, nutrition and injury prevention education, sports enhancement training, and injury management care, as well as court-side training for sports injuries and pre- and post-game injury prevention care. 

 "The services BackBone of Health provided were invaluable to the college," said Darren Pannier, SFCC athletic director. "We appreciate their partnership and genuine interest in the health of our student athletes. Without an athletic trainer on staff, we could not have provided these services in-house. We look forward to working with them again during this athletic season." 

Pictured from left, Dr. Marsha Drennon, president, State Fair Community College; Dr. Michael Perusich, BackBone of Health; Dale Ribble, SFCC men's basketball coach; Darren Pannier, SFCC athletic director and women's basketball coach; Dr. Brent Bates, vice president for educational services, SFCC; and Dr. Jonah McCandless, BackBone of Health. 

Thank you Dr. Perusich, Dr. McCandless and Staff!