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After being on the sidelines for a couple of decades, the Hillsboro Burros sports booster club is being welcomed back into the game.

Burro coaches want the community and alumni more in the mix, said Mark Rerick, Hillsboro High School athletic director and football coach.

Always appreciative of the crowds at each of the Burro sporting events, Burro coaches in each of the sports want fans and alumni taking a more familiar role with Hillsboro’s sports teams.

“I know the booster club was pretty active in the past,” said Rerick. “We’d like to see that again.”

Rerick would like to see the booster club organized this spring.

The coaches also want the Blue and White Booster Club to be a fund-raising arm of the school’s sports programs.

In addition to selling yearly single and family memberships, Rerick and the coaches expect to promote the idea of a capital campaign.

The “impetus” behind the capital campaign, Rerick explained to the Hillsboro school board last week, is the obvious lack of a track facility for Burro athletes.

Rerick is convinced, with impetus and funds provided by the booster club, Hillsboro could easily add a running track around the football field.

An 8-lane track could cost in the neighborhood of $50,000.

A new track surrounding the football field would not only “spark” new interest in the sport, but also put Hillsboro in a position to host track meets.

Rerick would also like to see new stadium seating, concession stand, rest rooms, fencing, crow’s nest and press box built at the school’s football complex. The price tag for a renovated sports complex, track included, is around $130,000, according to Rerick.

Hillsboro’s historically strong football program was recharged the last two years by the Burro’s march into the post-season playoffs. The Burros expect to be a playoff contender again next year.

Hillsboro coaches also want new banners recognizing all Burro championship teams on display in the Events Center.

Hillsboro has “some impressive numbers” of title teams in all sports, from districts to regions, according to Rerick. These teams and athletes should be recognized, he added.

Once a month meetings of the Blue and White Booster Club are being suggested.

A fund-raising golf tournament is also in the mix, said Rerick.

In the meantime, improvements are planned for the football field.

New lights will be installed on the football field this summer. And a new scoreboard will be in place for the start of the football season next fall. Wells Fargo and the Vets Club are contributing to the lighted scoreboard.

The possibility of obtaining grant money for the track is another avenue being explored.

School board members are in favor of re-establishing the booster club. The board will not attempt to micromanage the club, said Tracy Buzick.

So, it will be up to the booster club to raise funds, he explained.

Go for it, intimated the school board member

“If you don’t ask for it, you’re not going to get it.”