High school sports Web sites a big hit High school sports Web sites a big hit (July 02, 2004)

Amador, Foothill tout their teams via the Internet
by Heidi Massie

Keeping up-to-date with local high school athletics has never been easier, thanks to Web sites sponsored by the athletic boosters clubs at Amador and Foothill.

Though Amador has had a sports Web site for three years, both schools launched new, attractive, more informative sites this past school year. They provide a vast amount of information on all athletics at all levels, as well as selling school athletic merchandise. The most recent unveiling was Foothill's new site during the spring sports season.

"The Web site is just the latest outreach by the Foothill Athletic Boosters (FAB) to support our athletic programs and athletes at Foothill," said FAB president Tom McDonough. "Those who access the site will have the most timely information about all of our athletic programs throughout the year."

Amador's redesigned Web site, which went "live" last fall, serves a similar purpose and offers more information than the original site launched three years ago.

"It has proven to be very popular locally and also provides a way for relatives and friends who live out-of-state to follow the athletic exploits of Amador student-athletes," said Amador Boosters president Dave Juillerat. "We have an alumni section which keeps track of the post-high school athletic endeavors of former Amador student-athletes, and the site has become an important, additional advertising vehicle for the many sponsors who support Amador athletics."

A key new feature of Amador's site is the capability to add photos of teams and game action.

Though the sites were built by different Web designers, they have similar features such as team rosters, game results, schedules, Boosters club announcements, fundraising vehicles and links to related sites. Amador's site was designed by Online Sports at no charge in exchange for marketing and selling Amador logo merchandise. Foothill's site was designed by RKS Marketing according to specifications determined by a team of FAB volunteers.

But what really makes the Web sites successful for the schools' athletic programs are the parent volunteers.

"The key to our Web site is that we have a dedicated group of team reporters who report on the individual teams," said Amador Boosters treasurer Ken Mano.

The same holds true for Foothill. "Team representatives are the informational building blocks," said Jake Rudisill, Foothill Boosters member. The reporting by the team representatives offers in-depth information about the teams and athletes, and a perspective of each school's pride.

To learn more about the high schools' sports Web sites and athletic programs, visit Foothill's site at www.foothillsports.com, and Amador's site at www.amadorsports.com.

Foothill's Bergesen signs with Orioles Foothill's Bergesen signs with Orioles (July 02, 2004)

Recent Foothill graduate Brad Bergesen, who led the East Bay Athletic League in pitching, signed a $470,000 contract with the Baltimore Orioles last week. Bergesen was a fourth-round draft pick and chose to go with Baltimore, rather than a baseball scholarship with the University of San Diego. However, his contract with the Orioles included $160,000 that he can use for education later on.

Bergesen finished his high school baseball career with the Falcons with a 1.45 ERA and 6-0 win record, as well as a .375 hitting average.

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