New Trier Township High School District 203

The New Trier Booster Club has evolved over the years from its beginnings as an organization known as the Dad’s Club, through its period as the New Trier Club and into what is now officially and legally the New Trier Booster Club.  The organization transitioned from a football only based group in 1980 to what is now a parent organization focused on supporting all extra-curricular activities with a primary focus on athletics.

The early success and support of the football program by the Dad’s Club continued with the New Trier Club.  These Clubs provided small scholarships to a limited number of football players.  While cognizant of the tradition of these two groups, the Board in place in 1993 began to broaden the base of activities to be supported by its efforts and initiated steps to bring an increased commitment to organizing the club formally.  By-laws were created, Board policies developed and the Club was registered as a 501 c-3 organization.  These actions created what is now known as the New Trier Booster Club.  With this incorporation as a tax-exempt organization, the Booster Club was more effective raising funds and in turn expanding its support to a broader range of student activity programs.

Many parents have provided countless hours and to ensure success for the Clubs for over 20 years.  Special recognition should be given to Chuck Levy, Mark Jernigan, Laura Thilman, Jack Nyweide, Skip LaFontaine and Donna Proskine as parent leaders and Bob Naughton, New Trier Athletic Director.  This group provided the vision and change leadership in 1993 and 1994 to create what is now the New Trier Booster Club.

Today, the New Trier Booster Club continues to be a parent’s run organization devoted to supporting New Trier extracurricular activities not funded through the normal school operating budget.  The Club provides intramural sports programs in Tennis, Golf, Basketball and Volleyball with over 1000 Trevians participating each school year.  Funds are raised each year through a membership drive in August to all New Trier Families, our annual March Brunch and provided concession stands at major sporting contests.

Points of interest

• The main focus for creating the Booster Club was to promote school spirit.  Rather than a group of men who donated exclusively to football, the Booster Club embraced the entire school community and all of its activities. 
• Many of the members of the Dad’s Club did not have students at the school.  In fact, the first president of the Booster Club did not have a student at the school.
• The five original board members met once a week for a year with meetings lasting until midnight.  They developed everything that we currently use.  Tax-exempt status, by-laws, mission statement, policies, programs, brunch as fund raiser, membership drive with premiums, car stickers, flags for the football stadium, etc.
• Night League was the first program that was developed with approximately 350 participating the first year.  With Night League’s overwhelming success and growth, it led to the development of the Spike League, Trevian Golf, and later the Tennis program.
  • The Booster Club has funded a wide range of programs and projects since its inception.  Some of these include:
  • Mural by cafeteria
  • Equipment for radio station WNTH
  • Books for New Trier Debate Team
  • Helped fund concession stand improvements at Gates Gym and Northfield
  • Encore tent for New Trier Band
  • Weight room and Training room equipment updates
  • Gymnastics Floor mat
  • Scoreboards –
    • Northfield outside fields and gymnasiums,
    • Winnetka – outside fields and gymnasiums,
    • Swimming Pools – Northfield and Winnetka,
    • Softball and Baseball Fields
  • Batting Cages
  • Trophy Cases
  • Front Row Scoring Table
  • Conference banners and Roster Boards
  • Lights for intramural fields at Northfield