Steuben Striders Track Club Receives $10,000 Grant
On April 30th, 2022, the Steuben Striders Track Club was gearing up for the beginning of their 48th Track and Field Season with their in-person registration. As the coaches and staff were bustling about, helping parents fill out forms and answer any questions they had, Administrative Director Crystal McCalister received a phone call from Jennifer Ekey. Jennifer Ekey is a Steuben Striders parent whose son, Jackson Ekey, is an active member of the team and currently holds two records for the Steuben Striders. In 2019, Jackson broke the Boys' 7-8 Shot Put record, previously held by Joshua Feaster since 2011, with a throw of 13-05. In 2022, Jackson broke the Boys' 9-10 Shot Put record, previously held by Randy Anderson since 2005, with a throw of 24-7.25.
Presuming nothing of the phone call, Crystal said hello, prepared to answer any questions about the upcoming season. Little did she know that Jennifer was not going to ask about practice times, uniform pick-up, or meet dates. Instead, Jennifer told her that she was an employee of Dick's Sporting Goods and that she wanted to put the Steuben Striders Track Club forward for one of their grants as a part of its “Sports Matter Program.” Stunned, Crystal asked what she needed to do, and the two got to work. Crystal only told Director Coach Pat Herring and her Assistant Director about the phone call; the three mused about what this could mean for the Steuben Striders Program.
Over the course of their 48th Track Season, emails were exchanged, non-profit lawyers were called, and documents were filled out. In late September of 2022, the Steuben Striders received an email: the grant was theirs! There were simply a few more emails to send and pages to sign, then they could see the fruit of Jennifer’s labor. When the final email came through with the official Grant Agreement, Crystal couldn't believe the number she saw. She called Director Herring at once to set up a meeting for her to sign the paperwork. During their appointment, Coach Pat asked her Administrative Director, “Alright Crystal, what are we looking at? $300, $500 dollars?” Astonishment crossed the Steuben Striders Director's face when Crystal told her, “No, Pat, we've been given a grant for ten thousand dollars.”
On November 21st, 2022, Director Coach Pat Herring and Administrative Director Crystal McCalister met with Jennifer Ekey at Steubenville's local Dick’s Sporting Goods for the official transferal of the check to the Steuben Striders Track Club. This grant has given the Steuben Striders the ability to purchase the new Hy-Tek Meet Manager and Team Manager Software, a new computer system to run this software, new athletic equipment for more than 300 athletes and 20 coaches, and lastly—but most excitingly—these funds will contribute to a future Steuben Striders Track Club facility. So, look to the Steuben Striders Track Club in 2023 to see what amazing athletic endeavors they'll be hosting for the athletes of our valley. Any and all information about the Steuben Striders can be found at steubenstriders.com.
Written by Christine Termccalis
Presuming nothing of the phone call, Crystal said hello, prepared to answer any questions about the upcoming season. Little did she know that Jennifer was not going to ask about practice times, uniform pick-up, or meet dates. Instead, Jennifer told her that she was an employee of Dick's Sporting Goods and that she wanted to put the Steuben Striders Track Club forward for one of their grants as a part of its “Sports Matter Program.” Stunned, Crystal asked what she needed to do, and the two got to work. Crystal only told Director Coach Pat Herring and her Assistant Director about the phone call; the three mused about what this could mean for the Steuben Striders Program.
Over the course of their 48th Track Season, emails were exchanged, non-profit lawyers were called, and documents were filled out. In late September of 2022, the Steuben Striders received an email: the grant was theirs! There were simply a few more emails to send and pages to sign, then they could see the fruit of Jennifer’s labor. When the final email came through with the official Grant Agreement, Crystal couldn't believe the number she saw. She called Director Herring at once to set up a meeting for her to sign the paperwork. During their appointment, Coach Pat asked her Administrative Director, “Alright Crystal, what are we looking at? $300, $500 dollars?” Astonishment crossed the Steuben Striders Director's face when Crystal told her, “No, Pat, we've been given a grant for ten thousand dollars.”
On November 21st, 2022, Director Coach Pat Herring and Administrative Director Crystal McCalister met with Jennifer Ekey at Steubenville's local Dick’s Sporting Goods for the official transferal of the check to the Steuben Striders Track Club. This grant has given the Steuben Striders the ability to purchase the new Hy-Tek Meet Manager and Team Manager Software, a new computer system to run this software, new athletic equipment for more than 300 athletes and 20 coaches, and lastly—but most excitingly—these funds will contribute to a future Steuben Striders Track Club facility. So, look to the Steuben Striders Track Club in 2023 to see what amazing athletic endeavors they'll be hosting for the athletes of our valley. Any and all information about the Steuben Striders can be found at steubenstriders.com.
Written by Christine Termccalis
From left to right: Administrative Director Crystal McCalister, Jennifer Ekey, Director Coach Patrica Herring
From left to right: Jennifer Ekey, Director Coach Patrica Herring