THREE CHEERS FOR NORTH COUNTRY SPORTS: RITCHIE SECURES $45,000 TO SUPPORT ATHLETIC PROGRAMS

State Senator Patty Ritchie has announced she has delivered $45,000 to local school districts in Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties in an effort to enhance their athletic programs. 

“Here in the North Country, sports are a major part of the daily lives of students that help them to improve their fitness, learn to work as a team and teach them the value of hard work,” said Senator Ritchie.  “From taking home state titles to earning other accolades, our athletic programs are known for their successes.  I’m pleased to support our local athletes, and hope this funding  will allow them to reach even greater heights.”

Through funding secured by Senator Ritchie, Sackets Harbor Central School District recently purchased a new baseball backstop.  With the school’s baseball diamond in close proximity to its playground, the new backstop will help to improve safety for students and community members.

“It goes without saying that when it comes to sports, safety is of key importance,” said Sackets Harbor Central School District Superintendent Fred Hall. “This funding secured by Senator Ritchie has helped us to create a more safe environment for the students and community members using our playground and baseball diamond.  We thank her for her support.”

In the Indian River Central School District, funds awarded have been used to purchase new uniforms for the varisity cheerleading squad.  In addition, monies will also support the purchase of a new scoreboard, which will be part of a new football field  slated to be completed next year.

“Here in the Indian River Central School District, we recognize the important role athletics play in student development,” said District Superintendent James Kettrick.  “Our student athletes have worked tremendously hard to achieve their successes, and we couldn’t be more pleased to see Senator Ritchie acknowledge their efforts through this funding.”

Lastly, at the Canton Central School district, funding delivered by Senator Ritchie will be used to purchase a new shot clock.

“For years, the Canton Central School District has been in need of a new shot clock to replace one that was outdated and unreliable,” said Canton Central School District Superintendent William Gregory. “Thanks to this support from Senator Ritchie, games will be able to run more smoothly and our athletes will more easily be able to focus on winning.”

Senator Ritchie’s support for North Country athletic programs builds on her past work to recognize the accomplishments of local teams.  Earlier this year, she announced funding to purchase new uniforms for the Massena Lady Raiders Hockey team, which took home the 2014-2015 NYSPHSAA state title in March.

In addition, in September, Senator Ritchie announced $30,000 to support athletic programs in the Heuvelton Central School District, including funding to purchase new uniforms for the Heuvelton Lady Bulldogs basketball team in honor of the team’s winning the New York State Girls Class D Championship.  In addition, funds were also used for the purchase of new warm-ups and basketballs for the girls basketball team, new warm-ups, uniforms and basketballs for the boys basketball team and uniforms for the district’s cheerleading squad.