43
Giving a boost to Chaney pride
STAFF report
YOUNGSTOWN
Since the Chaney High athletic program started going downhill, one-time supporters had to have been smoldering.
It finally took a 1-9 football season to light a fire.
That’s what prompted the resurrection of a booster organization, now known as “Once a Cowboy, Always a Cowboy” Club.
The focus is to bring back West Side pride and to restore pride in city sports in general, said club president Ray Parker.
“We’re trying to support the entire community and bring pride back to the West Side,” said Parker, who graduated from Chaney in 1976 after playing football for Ed Matey.
The success of efforts to reverse the plight of many of the sports in the city system’s two high schools, however, doesn’t rely on a bailout.
Improvement will take the involvement of individuals, both at the school and from without, and compliance on the part of those who are serious about participating in sports.
“We’re hoping to establish a network of alumni to support our cause,” said Parker, who explained that the new boosters will attempt to tap into the success of Chicago Bears’ GM Jerry Angelo and the New York Jets’ Brad Smith and Matt Cavanugh.
“We’d like to bring them into the picture,” Parker said.
Chaney is 5-8 lifetime in the football playoffs, including a Div. III state runner-up in 1997. But the Cowboys have struggled in recent years, going 0-10 in 2007.
The club’s intent is to expand the scope of investment beyond football.
“We want to do all sports, but, right now, we’re targeting football because it’s the first sport up,” said Parker. “That’s where we’re looking to help the school.”
The club’s first step to raise public awareness of its mission was taken on June 5 when the “Once A Cowboy, Always a Cowboy” Club held a spaghetti dinner fund-raiser at the ITAM pavilion in Brier Hill.
The Red Angelo Golf Outing at Salem Hills on July 19 will be the next event.
“We know we have kids from old Wilson High School on the South Side and some from parts of the North Side and elsewhere that we’re pulling from, so it’s important to restore a tradition that establishes a wholesome identity,” he said.
After the football program hit bottom in 2009, Chaney hired former Ursuline High mentor Jim Vivo as new coach.
Re-igniting the program, however, will be an uphill battle.
Chaney will play one game at Stambaugh Stadium this fall— against East. The Cowboys will play against Canfield and also use the Cardinals’ stadium for games against Youngstown Christian and Canton Central Catholic.
“There will be a lot of traveling,” Parker said. “We’re trying to work our way out of the ashes and, with Vivo, comes a wealth of coaching experience and a [2000 Division IV] state title under his belt.
“We’re trying to get kids to believe in the system, not just football. We want to make sure kids are doing the right thing and are eligible academically. We’re trying to raise funds to assist this.”
The “Once a Cowboy” Club, which formed three months ago, currently has 20 members. Besides Parker, officers are Jim Mullally, treasurer; Mike Vivo, vice-president and Tracy Schuler, secretary.