SHREWSBURY – The School Committee unanimously voted on June 6 to accept a $62,000 donation from the Shrewsbury High School Athletic Boosters Association that will allow for the Shrewsbury High School (SHS) weight room to be renovated.
“We’re really excited about the opportunity to enhance our weight room facility. Not only for just the athletes of Shrewsbury High School, but for the students and faculty of Shrewsbury High School. … We felt it was time to catch up with the times as far as equipment goes and the usage of the facility,” Shrewsbury Director of Athletics Jay Costa said.
The weight room has not been renovated in 21 years, Costa said. The facility is frequently used by athletes, and many SHS students utilize the equipment during physical education classes. The facility is located adjacent to the SHS field house.
“The Boosters board has … been trying to find ways to directly assist in advancing school spirit and the all-sport mission statement. The Boosters believe we’ve found a way that will not only help our athletes, but also the entire Shrewsbury High School and middle school community,” Shrewsbury High School Athletic Boosters Association President Tony Tizzano said.
The Boosters fundraise for all school sports, with 100% of money raised going back to Shrewsbury athletics.
The group “led the charge” in 2018 when SHS renovated the outdoor facilities and converted to a turf field, according to Costa. He estimated the group has raised over $10 million over the years, buying uniforms and other equipment.
“The Shrewsbury High School Athletic Boosters Association is a charitable, non-profit organization whose purpose is to encourage enthusiastic support and interest in [high school] and middle-school athletics, to award scholarships which contribute to the post-secondary education of graduating seniors, to contribute to the advancement and needs of the athletic programs in those schools, and lend support to the director of athletics,” said Tizzano.
“I want to certainly express my deep gratitude to the Boosters for this extremely generous donation that’s going to help us make that facility a first-class one for our students. I particularly want to thank all the volunteers involved with the Boosters,” Superintendent Joe Sawyer said.
“They make this community a very special place,” he added.
