The University of Washington (UW) has a self-subsisting athletic department; it obtains funding through sponsorship, ticket and merchandise sales, and small state grants. UW’s generous revenue funds all necessary student-athlete scholarships, athlete wellness programs, and coaching staff. 

However, athletic funding in Washington (WA) public schools is a bit different. Most athletics are funded, per request, by high school booster clubs or associated student bodies, and Liberty is one of them. 

When deciding how much funding each team should receive, Liberty’s Associated Student Body (ASB), with support from athletic director Matt Stuart and ASB activity coordinator Michelle Munson, considers team size, cost of equipment, and spending history. 

“We ensure fairness in our distribution of ASB funds given to teams. Any extra funds that are earned through fundraising or the Liberty Booster Club is out of the athletic department’s control,” Stuart said. 

ASB deems some resources more critical than others: teams receive funds annually for safety equipment and every four years for uniforms. 

“For football, I would say we’ve got pretty good stuff. We have the newest helmets and pads, and ASB is always making sure we’re getting new equipment so we can stay as safe as possible,” junior Theo Kalasountas, a varsity athlete in football and basketball, said. 

Generally, Liberty ASB provides all athletic programs with the funding necessary for their success. But beyond funding for basic equipment, teams need bonding for success.

And sometimes bonding costs money that the school is unable to provide; in that case, athletes or parent groups foot the bill themselves or raise money through the Liberty Booster system. 

Bonding is essential to athletics; it builds team character, trust, and unity. 

“For basketball, funding for our yearly trip over winter break is critical because it helps build team chemistry and brings us closer together. It’s always a good time, and we wouldn’t be able to make those memories and build those bonds without the funding,” Kalasountas said. 

Like football, Liberty Cross Country (XC) goes on a memorable trip to Portland for an annual invitational meet. But that’s currently in jeopardy.  

“Historically, the team would drive out and stay in a hotel for a night, then race. But now, we just drive out and back, and next year we’re seriously considering whether we have the money to go at all,” junior XC athlete Lily Phillips said. 

“It’s disappointing because Portland is one of the most fun meets we do, and future years might not be able to experience that,” Phillips said. 

Missing out on valuable team trips is a common worry for Liberty athletic programs, and a lack of community support is to blame. 

“XC absolutely does not get the same recognition other sports do. First, no one ever says ‘Oh I think I’m gonna go stand out in the rain for 5 hours to watch the XC race,” Phillips said, “and it just doesn’t get the support other sports do even though we regularly make it to districts and state.”

Other meritorious athletic programs at Liberty also feel underrepresented. Some believe this is because programs like football and basketball, generally more popular sports, see greater audiences. 

“Football will be more of a priority than any sport in the world we live in,” junior girls’ soccer captain Peyton Warns said, “but that doesn’t justify how undermined Girls soccer is—not to mention it’s one of Liberty’s most successful programs.”

Girls’ soccer, cross country, and girls’ swive are occasionally left out of morning announcements and Liberty ASB posts on social media. Consequently, they mourn the support of their peers at games or meets. 

“Girls swimming is definitely not a popular sport at our school… I don’t see anyone ever coming to the meets,” sophomore Cosette Dobson said, “but if we were able to put on more of a production, then we could have the band there or something, then more people would come to our meets and they would be more exciting.”

Support is a necessary resource that cultivates donations for athletic programs. Funds raised through Liberty’s booster club or parent initiatives are out of the athletic department’s hands.  

This year, other programs lacked visibility and suffered consequences. 

“Only 12 girls came out for softball this year, and if the school dedicated more resources, then it’s logical to assume more girls would see the value in softball as well,” senior Emi Connell, a varsity athlete for girls’ softball, said. 

Connell is worried for the future of girls’ softball, “There’s a decent chance Liberty softball could fail to have enough players for a team next year,” she said. 

That amount which Liberty has to spend is limited to the district budget, and Connell noticed different provided resources at other schools in the district. 

With money parents raise from the Booster Club, girls’ softball could implement a fully closed dugout, a team room with restrooms near the field, covered batting and pitching cages, and a full turf field to avoid a mole problem. 

Little visibility affected other programs’ pride too. 

“It affects our confidence and we don’t feel supported. If we had a higher funding level we could actually have things like ‘Pizza for the first students to show up’ or ‘T-Shirt giveaways’ like other sports get,” Warns said. 

Boys’ soccer also had limited support this season, with crowds of immediate family, friends, and Liberty alumni. 

But there was some solace in their lack of community support. While playing in an old uniform, junior Mark Kovalenko learned to appreciate the history of his jersey. 

 “Starting this year I’ve been wearing the #7, and it reminds me of the importance of these numbers,” Kovalenko said. “In the past Kellen Kobata had worn it, and being able to carry on the legacy of a friend is something that would be impossible with new jerseys.”

All Liberty athletic programs lacking visibility receive support from their team history. 

“The #11 jersey actually has a stain from a victory dinner that we had last year. Back then the jersey was Cole Beppu’s, and now it’s Kensei’s,” Kovalenko said. 

“While it’d be nice to have clean things, if it means forgetting our history, then I would say forget it,” Kovalenko said.