The New Trier Booster Club is off to a flying start as they work to Tackle the Turf and raise money for the synthetic turf project at the school's Northfield campus. 

So far, $350,000 has been raised through local donations, which brings the boosters just slightly more than a third of the way to their $1-million goal. 

"The project is on schedule and the official ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on Friday, August 31, at what will now be called Stadium Plaza," said Heather Blackwell, incoming booster club president for the 2012-2013 school year. 

The ribbon cutting will occur before the New Trier Varsity football game against Warren High School at 7:30 p.m. 

In addition to synethic turf being installed on the main playing field, two practice fields adjacent to it will be covered with the turf. A new ticket house is also part of the overall project. 

Current and future private donors can purchase bricks in exchange for monetary donations.  A $100 donation can get you a 4x8 brick while a $500 8x8 brick.

Those bricks will ultimately be installed on a wall visible in the stadium as spectators enter. 

Based on the donation level, corporate sponsors can have their names scrolling on the score board at all events throughout the school year, as well as branding in the sports guides sent out to all families who have students in sports programs.   

"We are hoping to raise as much money as possible, since March we have been able to raise a strong amount, but we still have a ways to go and would like to have a cushion for the benefit of our students," Blackwell said. 

Recently, Blackwell said a donation letter was sent out to alumni who still live in Illinois and graduated from New Trier between the years of 1970 and 1990.  

Other initiatives the boosters already have tackled were to provide lighting for the fields in Stadium Plaza, install a new score board, and purchase new wrestling mats and massage tables for athletic trainers. 

In addition, the group supports intramural programs that reach thousands of students and provides financial assistance based on requests from coaches and clubs. 

"We look at how many students we will reach with the financial support we provide for all school programs, the goal is to reach as many of our children as is possible," Blackwell said. 

For more information on the synthetic turf project or to become a supporter, visit www.tackletheturf.org. 

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