The Suring School Board is set to approve a sports co-op agreement with the Gillett School District that would allow Suring students to play high school baseball and softball for the first time. Where the games will be played is still under consideration, according to Suring Superintendent Robert Ray.
The Suring School District has no softball or baseball facilities, so Suring officials propose the use of nearby parks in the town of How or Breed or the village of Suring, in order to play games in the Suring area. The fields are being measured and evaluated to assure they comply with Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association regulations, and discussions have begun with town and village officials.
Gillett athletes compete at the Orby Jones Family Sports Complex, which has baseball and softball fields. Gillett Superintendent Todd Carlson said the School Board is aware of the request to host games in the Suring area and is open to discuss site options.
The Suring School Board has agreed in concept to all other aspects of a two-year co-op agreement that would begin in the spring of 2015, Ray said. Gillett and Suring already share a wrestling team, and the baseball and softball proposal was based on the wrestling contract.
The proposal calls for the districts to split the costs 60/40, with Gillett paying the larger share. The estimated annual cost of each sport is $7,000. Ray said the expense will be paid from the athletics budget.
In a poll conducted at Suring School, 31 students indicated they are interested in playing softball or baseball next season. With the addition of athletes from Suring, a varsity team and junior varsity team could be assembled. Gillett fields only a varsity team in the two sports now.
A co-op agreement needs to be in place by June 1 in order for the teams to play in 2015.
The Suring School Board on March 12 is scheduled to approve the co-op agreement, and the Gillett School Board would likely follow in April.
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