D-86 Board Mulls Cutting Ties With Hockey Club

HINSDALE, IL — Members of the Hinsdale High School District 86 board had different opinions Thursday on whether to repeal a policy that would essentially cut the district's ties with a local hockey club.

At its regular meeting, the board debated a 2005 policy that allows organizations unaffiliated with the district to use a district school's name, logo and mascot. The only such group operating under the policy is the Hinsdale Central Hockey Club, but a few organizations have done so in the past.

During public input, Tim Romberger, the club's president, and others associated with the program pleaded with the board to keep the policy.

"The core issue is that kids grow up wanting to play sports for their high school," Romberger said. "We have a code of conduct that is stricter than what we know of for other Hinsdale athletic and nonathletic organizations. We have nine members on the board who ensure adherence to the code of conduct and who oversee the development of our championship culture."

Romberger also noted the onetime costs of changing the team's branding on its jerseys and equipment.

However, board member Kathleen Hirsman pushed for rescinding the policy because of the misperception that the district has control over the nearly 50-year-old club, creating possible liability for the district.

The school board's policy committee recently recommended the policy's repeal.

Agreeing with Hirsman, board member Cynthia Hanson said while the club is "wonderful," its apparent affiliation with the district may create liability for taxpayers.

Board President Kevin Camden said he favored repeal, but also supported entering an agreement with the hockey club to let it continue in "some fashion." He said he did not want to hurt the club.

"At least for me — and it's probably an occupational hazard — the liability concern is significant, which is why I am in favor of an alternative arrangement," said Camden, a lawyer.

Camden also noted the DuPage Stars hockey organization uses the Hinsdale South High School logo, along with those of four other area high schools. The district, he said, needed to research the issue more.

Hirsman said that DuPage Stars' situation was different in that Hinsdale South's logo was one of five, while the Hinsdale Central Hockey Club uses the school's name, mascot and logo, she said.

At the same time, she said she was not opposed to working with the hockey club and determining a way it can continue, with a possible sunsetting of its relationship with the district.

Members Erik Held and Marty Turek said they wanted the hockey club to continue its relationship with the district in some way.

The board did not take action on the issue, but is expected to do so at a later meeting. Members said the issue in question came up while the policy committee was reviewing all the district's policies.