Sports
Q&A: Beverly Hills Athletic Alumni Association President David Corwin
David Corwin talks to Patch about the BHAAA and its efforts to support the city's student athletes.
The 2010-11 school year is on the horizon, which means Beverly's student athletes are gearing up for the fall sports season.
Patch caught up with David Corwin (BHHS '87), president of the Beverly Hills Athletic Alumni Association. Corwin updated Patch on the nonprofit organization's efforts to address the needs of Beverly Hills High School's athletic department. Founded in 2006 by current school board President Steven Fenton (BHHS '88), the BHAAA has raised more than $1 million to update athletic facilities and buy new uniforms and equipment for Beverly's sports teams.
BHAAA also awards three annual scholarships to graduating BHHS student athletes. Corwin discussed the organization's involvement with the school's athletic department and why the association's assistance is important in these challenging economic times.
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Beverly Hills Patch: When did you take over as president of the BHAAA?
David Corwin: I took over as president in September 2008. (Note: Corwin took over as president after founder Steven Fenton was elected to the Beverly Hills Unified School Board in 2008.)
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Patch: Describe BHAAA and what its mission is?
DC: The mission of the Beverly Hills Athletic Alumni Association is to supplement the high school athletic department budget by assisting with the purchase of uniforms, equipment and improvements for the athletic program.
Patch: What is the organization planning to due this school year?
DC: In recent years, the BHAAA has purchase uniforms, equipment, etc... We annually review the requests of coaches and the athletic director(s) and collaborate to prioritize the department's needs. We have been presented with requests covering everything from fencing and netting for the baseball field to new track and swimming equipment to team vans to help control transportation costs.
Patch: What has been the reaction from the school and athletic community to the BHAAA?
DC: The coaches have been extremely grateful of our contributions while athletic alumni have been generous and enjoyed reuniting with teammates and coaches. We hope to do a better job making current student athletes and their families aware of our efforts.
Patch: Can you describe this year's fundraising events?
DC: Our sole fundraiser is our annual Hall of Fame dinner. Our fourth dinner will take place on Oct. 16. More information may be found at www.bhaaa.org or by contacting Julie Steinberg at jpsconsulting@pacbell.net. We introduced Alumni Day this year, and more than 100 alums reunited at the high school on June 13 to compete in tennis, lacrosse, soccer, baseball, football and volleyball. This event is not a fundraiser and is designed to get alumni back to the high school and to increase BHAAA's awareness.
Patch: Have you announced this year's Hall of Fame class?
DC: Yes. The Hall of Fame inductees are Ian Elliot ('40), Don Long ('55), Moe Hill ('72), Missy Birns Halperin ('82) and Bob Kay ('82). The McCarthy Lifetime Achievement Award is being presented to Chuck Kloes and the inaugural Polaris Award recipient is Richard Keelor.
Patch: How much has BHAAA raised since it was founded in 2006?
DC: BHAAA has raised $1.24 million and has contributed more than $200,000 toward uniform and equipment purchases. Also, $275,000 has been placed in an athletic department endowment through the Beverly Hills Education Foundation.
Patch: What is the biggest project the school's athletic department needs funding for?
DC: Given current budget constraints, the most pressing needs are staples like uniforms and equipment. There are more significant items like new lockers and improvements to the tennis courts, but we expect these items to be part of the master plan improvements that will enable BHAAA to continue to focus on assistance with recurring needs.
Patch: What role will BHAAA play in meeting that need?
DC: We always try to do what we can within our needs while being mindful of maintaining and growing our reserves.