Meeting Minutes - 9/15/26

HAMPTON WRESTLING ASSOCIATION

BOOSTER MEETING MINUTES – SEPTEMBER, 2026

(Called to Order at 6:41 pm – Adjourned at 7:53 pm)

Attendance

Members Present:Ashley DowningBre MarshallChris RuggeriAllan MurrayJoe BursickEd BarryJessica BarryKelsey GalfoColin DunlapGretchen BennettGreg HunkeleNick EndresAly Matkovich

High School Wrestling Update

2026–27 Schedule

The high school schedule is available on the new Hampton Athletics website.

Dawg Duals

• Currently 10 teams, including Hampton, are committed.

• An additional returning team has expressed interest, which would bring the field to 11 teams.

• If an 11th team is added, a 12th team will need to be secured to allow for easier dual scheduling.

• The gym is reserved for Dawg Duals on Saturday and for the Emma Bursick Memorial Tournament (EBMT) on Sunday.

• Friday gym availability for Dawg Duals setup still needs to be confirmed.

Home Events

• January 6 – Fox Chapel: Past, Present & Future Night. High school boys, junior high boys, and girls are expected to compete.

• January 13 – Kiski: Senior Night.

• Dawg Duals will be the boys' only other home competition.

Away Duals

• December: Knoch and Pine-Richland.

• January 20: Armstrong and Indiana at Armstrong. The current plan appears to be for Hampton to wrestle both teams in one trip, potentially utilizing two gyms. Start times need to be confirmed with the Athletic Office.

• February 3: Avonworth.

High School Tournaments

• December 4–5 – Eastern Area Invitational at Gateway High School

• Dawg Duals – following weekend

• January – Meadville one-day tournament

• January 15–16 – Allegheny County Tournament at Fox Chapel

• January 29–30 – Fred Bell Tournament at Grove City

Four returning boys are currently projected as seniors: Evan, Aiden Shem, Keegan Mlay, and Kada Maguire. Additional first-year seniors could potentially join the program.

The group agreed to move forward with:

• Past, Present & Future Night: January 6

• Senior Night: January 13

High School Equipment Requests

Several equipment needs were presented for consideration.

Table Score Clocks

• Recommendation to purchase three wrestling table score clocks.

• Preliminary pricing for three clocks was approximately $1,377 before tax.

• Hampton currently borrows clocks for Dawg Duals and other events, and existing clocks are aging or unreliable.

• Additional vendors/pricing will be reviewed before purchase.

Climbing Ropes

• Wrestling room ropes are more than 20 years old and in poor condition.

• Estimated replacement cost for three ropes is approximately $150–$180 total.

• Rogue was suggested as a possible source.

Mat Sprayer

• Current school-provided sprayers frequently malfunction.

• Recommendation to purchase a quality backpack-style sprayer with a fan tip.

• Additional pricing will be obtained.

High School Apparel

Initial mockups were presented for high school/program apparel. A simple program shirt concept included “Hampton Talbots Wrestling” on the front and “Talbot Tough” on the back.

Warm-up top concepts were also presented. Final designs, quantities, sizes, and pricing still need to be determined, with the group noting that orders should be finalized soon due to production lead times.

Competition Mat

The Athletic Office indicated that a new competition mat is not in the budget for the current year but is interested in pursuing one next year.

The boosters expressed interest in partnering with the school on the purchase. Storage and future use/location of existing mats will need to be discussed.

Middle School Wrestling Update

The middle school schedule is still being finalized.

Currently anticipated dual dates align with the high school schedule, including January 6 against Fox Chapel, January 13 against Kiski, January 20 at Armstrong, and a February dual at Avonworth.

Tournament dates discussed included:

• Junior High Allegheny County Tournament – January 8–9

• End-of-season tournament – February 12–13

• Indiana tournament – awaiting confirmation

• Slippery Rock – potentially January 2

• Sharon tournament – potentially around February 6

Middle school warm-ups will also need to be reviewed.

Girls Wrestling Update

Preseason Strength & Conditioning

Ben will begin strength and conditioning sessions Wednesdays and Fridays after school until approximately 4:30 PM.

Preseason Fundamentals/Open Room

Approval was received from the Athletic Office for a preseason fundamentals room on Mondays between 6:00–8:00 PM. Practices will likely be approximately 90 minutes.

The room will be open to K–12 boys and girls within the program, with a primary focus on fundamentals and developing newer/less experienced wrestlers.

Girls Apparel

Last season's girls warm-ups can be reordered through GPSA for new wrestlers or wrestlers needing different sizes.

A second option of fight shorts and a shirt was discussed at approximately $75 per wrestler, with promotional pricing reportedly ending September 30.

The group agreed the girls may receive new apparel comparable to the other program levels, but the program should not purchase both replacement GPSA warm-ups and a separate full apparel package for everyone.

Past, Present & Future Night

Ways to improve youth involvement were discussed, including designated seating near the mats, opportunities for selected older youth wrestlers to sit closer to the teams, and parent chaperones responsible for groups of youth wrestlers. Chaperoning could potentially count toward volunteer requirements.

Youth Wrestling Update

Registration

Youth currently has 28 registered wrestlers, including:

• 15 first-year wrestlers

• 13 returning wrestlers

• Seven returning wrestlers currently planning to test for Iron Talbot recognition

Youth Practice Structure

The youth program plans to move away from strictly age-based practice groups.

• Monday & Wednesday: Higher-intensity, wrestling-focused practices.

• Tuesday & Thursday: FUNdamentals, development, and fun, primarily for newer wrestlers.

• Friday: Open room focused on live wrestling.

Wrestlers may attend practices outside their primary group when appropriate.

Youth Coaches & Parent Volunteers

Last year's structure of approximately four primary coaches and four assistant coaches was viewed as manageable.

A separate Parent Volunteer role will be developed to assist with wrestler organization, match-night and tournament coordination, and getting wrestlers to the appropriate mats.

A separate meeting will be held with youth leadership, including Wes, to establish coach classifications, expectations, benefits, apparel, end-of-year recognition, and volunteer requirement waivers.

Youth Dual Team

Youth plans to establish a more formal dedicated dual team.

Potential competitions include:

• Aliquippa-area dual league – approximately $750

• World of Wrestling Duals – approximately $100

• NA Duals – approximately $450

• Possible overnight competition in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, or Ohio

Families participating in the dual team would pay an additional $200 upfront, with a target roster of approximately 15–16 wrestlers.

The goal is for the dual team to be family-funded rather than booster-funded. The boosters indicated support for youth competition opportunities and asked youth leadership to bring forward any small funding gap if one occurs.

Treasurer's Report

Scholarship Account

Current balance: $5,500

There are currently five projected seniors across the boys and girls programs. The current recommendation is to award one $500 scholarship this year, with the number revisited if the senior class increases substantially.

Checking Account

Current balance: $21,703.45

IRS / 501(c)(3) Update

Work continues to resolve historical tax filings for 2020–2024.

• The 2025 filing has been accepted.

• The organization is currently recognized as an active 501(c)(3) while outstanding filings are being resolved.

• A payment for IRS late fees/penalties is being submitted.

• Once paid, the Treasurer intends to petition for refund/abatement of eligible penalties and interest.

• H&R Block is assisting with corrections for 2020, 2022, and 2023.

• Rejection notices are still needed for 2021 and 2024.

The Treasurer is developing written procedures covering tax filings, bank reconciliations, Pennsylvania annual filings, and required financial documentation.

The organization will also look for someone to begin learning the Treasurer position during the 2026–27 season.

Fundraising

Snap! Raise

Snap! Raise will begin once the wrestling season starts. Dan O'Neill will be invited to explain the program and process, with information also provided directly to parents.

Pasquale's

Options discussed included:

• Hoagie tickets – approximately $3.50 profit per ticket

• Power Play cards – approximately $5 profit per card

Upfront payment for cards/tickets was recommended to simplify collection.

Restaurant Benefit Nights

The group will investigate benefit nights with local restaurants, including Pasquale's, McDonald's, Primanti Bros., and Chipotle.

Tailgate

The organization is registered and the booth has been paid for. Volunteer SignUpGenius registrations are already coming in. Supplies, staffing, and booth needs will be reviewed before the event.

Registration

Early-bird registration will remain open through the Sunday following Tailgate, approximately October 4.

For new youth wrestlers using the two-week trial period, early-bird status will be preserved and invoices will be held until the trial period is complete.

Emma Bursick Memorial Tournament

Coaches have provided feedback regarding registration-form changes, and the updated registration can now be prepared for PY Youth.

The concession menu was discussed because donation SignUpGenius slots are already available. Any requested changes to the traditional menu should be submitted as soon as possible.

Nutritionist Sessions

Nutrition education sessions will be arranged for wrestlers at approximately $75 per session.

The current plan is to arrange sessions for the girls, varsity boys, and an additional appropriate group/program. The goal is to provide practical information athletes can apply to nutrition, fueling, recovery, and performance.

Board Election Results

Results of the 2026–27 Hampton Wrestling Booster Board election were announced:

• President: Gretchen Bennett

• High School Vice President: Jessica Barry

• Middle School Vice President: Kelsey Galfo

• Girls Vice President: Colin Dunlap

• Youth Vice President: Ashley Downing

• Youth Coordinator: Wes Metcalf

• Secretary: Aly Matkovich

• Deer Lakes HS/MS/Girls Liaison: Carrie Appollonia

• Deer Lakes Youth Liaison: Lauren Fraser

• Fundraising Coordinator: Michelle Simmons

• Treasurer: No elected replacement

Greg Hunkele will continue assisting with Treasurer responsibilities on a limited basis while the organization identifies and trains a successor.

Action Items

Action Item	Owner	Due Date
Confirm additional Dawg Duals teams and secure a 12th team if needed	Nick	ASAP
Confirm Friday gym availability for Dawg Duals setup	Nick / Athletic Office	Before Dawg Duals
Confirm Jan. 20 Armstrong/Indiana format and start times	Nick / Athletic Office	Before next meeting
Finalize Past, Present & Future Night plans	Board / Coaches	Before Jan. 6
Finalize Senior Night plans	Board / HS Coaches	Before Jan. 13
Obtain pricing/options for three table score clocks	Nick	Before purchase
Determine and final pricing for climbing ropes	Nick	Before next meeting
Research backpack mat sprayer	Nick / Coaches	Before next meeting
Finalize HS shirt/warm-up design, quantities and sizes	Nick / HS Coaches	ASAP
Finalize middle school schedule and warm-up needs	Joe	Before next meeting
Launch Monday fundamentals/open room	Chris / Girls Coaches	ASAP
Confirm school-day weight-room availability	Chris	Before next meeting
Finalize girls apparel option/pricing	Chris	Before Sept. 30
Develop youth/chaperone plan for Past, Present & Future Night	Board / Youth Coaches	Before Jan. 6
Provide updated Iron Talbot shirt quantities	All Coaches	Before next meeting
Begin scheduling youth match nights	Wes / Youth Coaches	ASAP
Schedule youth coach/parent volunteer structure meeting	Youth Leadership / Board	Before season
Finalize youth dual-team roster, schedule and fee structure	Wes / Youth Coaches	Before collection
Continue IRS filings/corrections and submit payment	Greg	Ongoing
Request penalty/interest abatement after payment	Greg	After payment posts
Complete written Treasurer procedures	Greg	During season
Recruit/train future Treasurer	Board / Greg	During season
Coordinate Snap! Raise kickoff and parent information	Fundraising / Board	Before launch
Finalize Pasquale's fundraiser	Michelle / Fundraising	Before launch
Investigate local restaurant benefit nights	Michelle / Fundraising	Before next meeting
Send outstanding registration invoices	Gretchen	ASAP
Update/post Emma Bursick registration	Gretchen	ASAP
Finalize EBMT concession menu	Board / Event Leadership	ASAP
Arrange nutritionist sessions	Coaches / Board	Before/early season
Review proposed bylaw updates before distribution	Board / Coaches	Before next meeting

Next Meeting

October 13, 2026 at 6:30 PMLocation to be confirmed.