Bloom Alumni Athletic Association Alums Give Back

Bloom Alumni Athletic Association Alums Give Back Summer 2017

Trojan Nation Raises over $15,000

WHO ARE THE BAAA?

The Bloom Athletic Alumni Association (BAAA/Trojan Nation) is an extension of the Bloom Alumni Association (BAA). It reflects the overall mission of the BAA; to preserve and acknowledge Bloom Township High School (BTHS) District 206’s athletic history.

Currently, The BAAA ‘s mission is to provide fundraising support, alumni relations activities, and community relations events; all designed to preserve and acknowledge the rich history of BTHS athletics. This association sponsors events that give opportunities for former Bloom alums to “Give Back” by sharing their life experiences to future generations of Bloom Township. The BAAA/Trojan Nation believe in the concept of taking care of our own. In these days of dwindling financial student support resources, we realize the vast power (numbers) of BTHS alum’s with professional experiences and networking connections.

The BAAA is made up of professional Bloom alums from all Bloom sports teams. Each sport is represented by sports commissioners. These volunteers head our Trojan Nation Movement. They provide association development input, fundraising and donations activities, and mentorship to future and current BTHS students. Fundraising activities are key to The Trojan Nation’s mission of “giving back”. To this end, The Trojan Nation is proud to acknowledge the recent fruits of our commissioner’s efforts.

Track Commissioner, Mike Lopez ’75, member of the back to back State Cross-Country Champions in 1974 and 1975, recently flew to Eugene, Oregon. He was guest of former teammate, John Capriotti ’74 (current NIKE VP, Executive International…) He spent over 10 days as Capriotti’s guest for the USA TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS at legendry Hayward Field during the Steve Prefontaine Track Classic. Lopez was treated to special privileges’ of joining Capriotti at “Cap’s Corner”, a section of Hayward Field where John negotiates with world class athletes. John never forgets his Bloom roots as he welcomed Mike and other Chicago south suburban local athletes. Not only was Mike treated to the track meet but afterwards with a huge dinner celebration with current and past world class athletes, such as Joan Benoit Samuelson, who won the gold medal at the first women’s Olympic marathon in 1984. during Commissioner Lopez’s visit, he confirmed he had secured funding for a new electronic scoreboard for Bloom’s track program.

BAAA Vice President, Donna Filips McCoy ’72 flew to Las Vegas to meet with Steve Miller (Bloom legendary track/field coach), Chairman of The United States Track and Field Federation (USTFA) and CEO of the Andre Agassi Foundation. Coach Miller also donated to Bloom’s track fundraisier along with current talks to help fund summer community mentorship and training programs for prospective Bloom athletes.

Because of yearlong efforts of communications, proposals, and event planning with BTHS Administration, the BAAA, helped secure over $15,000 for Bloom’s track programs and to fund summer basketball/educational camps to low income middle school students. BAAA Basketball Commissioner and newly elected to the Bloom Alumni Association Board, Joseph Edward Chapman , Trail ’02, assisted in these fundraising accomplishments. All these alums are great examples of contributors to the BAAA’s “Giving Back” initiatives.

The Trojan Nation is growing through its networking and alumni volunteers from all around the world. Our mission is to tap into their collective experiences.

The next BAAA fundraising event will be The 2nd Annual Bobby Bell Awards Dinner in the Fall/Winter. Please make plans to attend.

Thanks Nation, “Trojans 4 Life”

Larry McCoy, MS