Sponsored by:

Middletown High School Athletic Boosters Club

NEWS RELEASE

For more information: AAW Chairmen: Terri and Robert Egelston, 104 Euclid St, 45044, 513-422-8596, 425-7615

MHS Booster President – Lynn Howard, 4804 Hathaway Dr, 45005, 513-422-1433, 705-5547


Photo: Ron Blevins, 2002 AAW Chairman


April 10, 2003


ALL AMERICAN WEEKEND TAKES A BREAK

After 23 years of celebrating Independence Day at Middletown High School grounds, area citizens will have to find something else to do this July 4. Organizers of the traditional stay-at-home holiday weekend celebration are cancelling the 2003 All American Weekend and will assess their position before deciding on a 2004 AAW.

Middletown High School Athletic Booster Club members voted to discontinue the popular event at a meeting at the high school on April 10, 2003.

Booster president Lynn Howard and AAW chairwoman Terri Egelston agreed that the prospects for a successful AAW in 2003 were slim. Rising costs, declining sponsorship dollars, fewer and fewer volunteers and a needed expensive upgrade to electrical service on the grounds all led to the decision. The net profits in recent years have been steadily declining to the point where the effort involved could be better spent on another type of fund-raising effort with better results for the treasury.

Since AAW began as a way to raise money for a running track at the high school, the proceeds from the annual event have funded construction of the all-weather track, spectator stands, lights, baseball, softball and football practice fields, athletic weight room, college scholarships and many other programs and equipment needs of Middletown High School athletes and other education-related groups.

Howard said, “We deeply regret the need to discontinue All American Weekend but feel it is better to stop after a successful run than to allow the quality of the event to deteriorate. We thank all those who have worked so hard throughout the last 23 years and all those who have supported the event through attendance and sponsorships.”





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Ann Mort