You are free to be a Trojan. Literally. 

All students in the district are now able to attend every home sporting event free of charge. This has been a goal of Activity Director Andrew Mitchell since he got the job back in 2018. 

The activities department is self-funded. Over the years, Mitchell and our director of business have been trying to find a way to make home activities free for all students to attend. This year was the year to do it. The district underwent many administrative changes including hiring a new Director of Finance, Lisa Jones. She was the one who ultimately allowed this change to take place.

After reviewing the budget for the activities department and the state of Iowa changing a law to allow officials for sporting events to be paid from a separate account, the department is now able to accommodate this change. “This saved the activities department lots of money and this would allow students to get into the activities,” said Mitchell. 

The goal for this change is to encourage students and families to attend more home activities and ultimately bring more school spirit to the district. Saving families money at the door allows them to spend more at the Atlantic Booster Club concessions stands. That money in turn is funneled back into activities and games for the district. This helps support new equipment and other costs. Sophomore Xander Cook said he’s more willing to buy food at the concessions now. “I have extra cash because I didn’t spend so much to get in.”

The previous cost for student attendance was $4. This turned many students away when deciding whether to attend games or not. “It will make a lot more people come,” said sophomore Aydrie Coffman. “If you go to every game it adds up.”

There has already been a visible increase in the amount of students attending home events. The student section at the home football games has been huge compared to last year and in years past. “I see the students fill all of the way to the top of the bleachers,” said Mitchell.“This is a win-win for everybody and I hope we can continue this happening.”

There has been positive feedback from the students at AHS. “It helps a lot,” said sophomore Ryley Kuhns. “If you forget your money at home or you don’t have an activity pass, you can just go and you don’t have to worry about it.”