Beaufort High School Booster Club
President Ty Reichel Talks Tailgating And Fundraising

story by LINDSEY LENOIR     photos by SUSAN DELOACH

There is a slight chill in the air, and the days are getting shorter. You can get just about anything imaginable pumpkin-spiced, and the kids are finally starting to settle into the new school year routine…that can only mean one thing, high school fall sports are in full swing! If you happen to cross the McTeer Bridge on a Friday evening, you might catch a glimpse of stadium lights or hear the faint sounds of the Beaufort High School marching band as they drill in preparation for “Friday Night Lights.”

In the parking lot near Eagle Field, parents, teachers, neighbors, families, and friends gather together to tailgate before the home games. They can do so, thanks to the Beaufort High School Booster Club. The parent-run organization has dedicated countless hours to their new fundraising strategy, tailgating spots. The booster club, more aptly named the BGBC (Big Green Booster Club), is trying something new this year. For just $100, parents and friends of Beaufort High athletics can purchase a tailgating spot. The parking space comes with the ability to set up before the games and grill out, snack, or hang out and visit with other Eagle fans before and after the games. According to booster club president, Ty Reichel, “we wanted to offer parents, friends, and all football-lovers a chance to come together as a community, and tailgate before the game. BHS has become a gathering place at 6 pm on Friday nights when we have home games.” Your $100 reserves a tailgating spot in which you can have your players name and number painted inside a football, “we allow the funds to a BHS team of your choosing. Funds don’t just go to the football team. They are given to whatever team you specify.” You can choose to support Beaufort High football, volleyball, swimming, golf, tennis, cross country, cheer, basketball, wrestling, lacrosse, soccer, or track! Whew!

When signing your child up to participate in all Beaufort High sports, parents agree to what is deemed the “Parent Pledge.” This pledge roughly states that you agree to uphold and support the conduct and sportsmanship guidelines set forth by the Beaufort County School District and its administrators, teachers, and coaches. The booster club is a great way to honor this commitment. They work tirelessly to provide extra funding for the school’s athletes, helping with uniforms, equipment, and travel expenses. Ty admits, “One of our biggest goals with the booster club is to try and get more parent involvement. We are working on increasing our membership and want the Beaufort High parents present involved, cheering on all the children in every sport.”

Ty Reichel
Ty Reichel is the booster club’s acting president. She was elected two years ago and had already been a member three years prior. She began her journey with the BGBC when her oldest son, now a Freshman at the Citadel, was just a ninth-grader at BHS. She has remained an integral part of the BHS booster club, excited to support her Beaufort High Senior and Freshman. She and her husband, Marc Reichel, are very involved in all things BHS and will continue to do so until their 7th grader, who attends Riverview, graduates from high school. “Coach Lybrand’s football motto that goes something like, ‘The effort that you put in, is what you will earn out.’ We do as much as we can for our teams and coaches to encourage and support them. They should feel the love! We will do whatever we can to help them succeed.”

The Big Green Booster Club
The Beaufort High Booster Club consists of roughly 60 members, parents of Beaufort High School students, teachers, and administrators who are fervent about education, their children, and the undeniably positive impact of sports programs in schools.

At the head are six board members: Ty Reichel-Acting President (2 years), Amy Sumner, Harley Ruff, Carol Ruff, Joe Blencoe, and Bernadine Giles.

The current board has a “fresh” outlook on where they want to take the booster club over the next few years. According to Ty, “The booster club installed an entirely new board three years ago. The present members are fresh-minded and innovative. There is new energy and excitement with this rotation.” They are active throughout the year and sponsor multiple fundraising events. Last year, they partnered with Jersey Mikes for the restaurants’ grand opening on Lady’s Island. It ended up being one of the most significant fundraising events to-date. With the proceeds, they were able to give the athletic department a cash gift for Christmas. “We are constantly trying to make money and give to our teams so they can feel the fruits of their labor.”

BGBC also heads up concessions at all home games and allows athletes to “work” and earn money for their team through the profits. They also sell personalized stadium seats, banners, spirit wear, tumblers, flags, t-shirts, and much more. In addition, ‘Big Green’ sponsors a 50/50 raffle, golf tournament, yard sale, and holds monthly spirit nights in which 10% of all sales go to the school. So far, they have partnered with over six restaurants in the area.
The booster club is “100% behind the coaches and athletes. We want to create so much enthusiasm that every time the coaches and teams look up, those stands are packed.”

A Community Team
Ty beams, “Often-times you look out and see people out to support the school who don’t necessarily have children that attend the school or have any connection to BHS, but they want to watch a solid, competitive game.” Every fan, every patron, every team, every athlete is essential to the success of BHS, “We want everyone to know that they play a part in making Beaufort High our community team.”

Supporting Beaufort High Athletics now paves the way for future athletes. “We want every little boy and girl that comes to the games, and is cheering on the sidelines, throwing the football in the grass, or enjoying something from the concession stand, to dream of the day that they will one day be that big kid out there on the field.”

You, too, can show your support for Beaufort High School by attending the next spirit night, which will be held at Hearth on November 19th to benefit the BHS football team. Refer to www.bhs.beaufortschools.net to find out all things Eagles and to get info about games. The Booster Club would love to see you there! GO EAGLES!