By KENNETH COKER, Press Sports
Posted: Wednesday, June 29, 2011 12:03 am
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As a matter of fact, Suiter — who has admittedly had some heated exchanges with referees/umpires over the years — runs no risk of being ejected or getting a techincal for the kind of fireworks he’s offering.
Instead, the WHS lifer has opened a fireworks tent with all the profit from the project set to benefit numerous athletic programs at Westview.
The WAMCO tent — which will be open 9 a.m. until 11 p.m. until the Fourth of July — is located across from the school.
Proceeds from the tent — after the overhead costs are met — will benefit the boys’ basketball, girls’ basketball, softball, baseball, tennis, golf, football, cheerleading and band programs.
Each will get an equal share of the profits.
“Since I was old enough to walk, I’ve been involved in athletics,” Suiter said. “I participated as a student and since I’ve been involved with budgeting, I know what it takes to run a program. Every extra dollar and every each penny makes a difference.”
Suiter ran a fireworks tent last year along with other members of his family. It was in the aftermath of that experience that the fund-raising fireworks tent idea was born.
“My goal is to make this a yearly thing,” Suiter said. “All the coaches of the other programs have been very receptive of the idea and they’ve all said they would help out if needed.”
Already, several student-athletes and their coaches have assisted in the unloading and setting up of product as well as the tent.
Others will be manning the tent and working shifts up until Independence Day.
“This year, we’re really just getting our feet wet,” Suiter said. “There won’t be as many students working as I’d like, but this is a trial run.
“I hope next year that we can have nights where each program comes out and works the tent on a certain night.”