In an effort to mitigate some of the proposed budget revisions by the Tehachapi Unified School District impacting Tehachapi High School Athletics, the Tehachapi Warriors Booster Club is dedicating much of their fundraising in the coming seasons to assist with the funding of the contracted athletic trainer position.

For decades THS relied on volunteers and coaches to handle many of those duties before games and during competition. Once those volunteers retired, THS was left without coverage, a safety concern for student-athletes and coaches. At the request of the Booster Club in 2024, the Tehachapi Unified School District entered into a contractual agreement with Terrio Physical Therapy and Fitness for an on-campus trainer to support all teams during practices and games. Due to looming budget shortfalls and to limit the impact to athletics, the Warrior Booster Club will embark on assisting with the funding of the athletic trainer position in the coming seasons.

THS Warrior Boosters will be looking to raise between $40,000-$50,000 annually to support the position to ensure our student-athletes continue to receive the care and safety needed to compete in today’s athletic environment. 

“With a robust corporate sponsorship program and wonderful relationships with local and regional companies, we felt this challenge was one we could take on and one that would have a lasting impact for all teams at THS,” said Booster Club President Corey Costelloe. “We are going to rely heavily on our business partners and members to assist us with this initiative, this is a very important position and one that needs to be funded and if we have to band together as a community and the as the non-profit supporting our student-athletes and do it, we are up to that challenge.”

The funding plan includes reliance on many local corporate sponsors, with either specific donations or a portion of their sponsorship dollars going towards the athletic trainer initiative. In addition, the Booster Club will reduce other expenses and seek other fundraising initiatives to ensure that the funding is available and provided to the Tehachapi Unified School District.

“We can complain about budget cuts, or we can get to work and do something about it, I know where our board of directors and members stand on this issue so we are getting to work,” Costelloe said.

While corporate sponsorships and renewals for memberships will begin later this year, a donation option for this specific initiative is available in the online store at https://thsboosters.boosterhub.com/store/1705/9078. Just specify and amount and enter “trainer” when asked where funds shall be allocated. Donors can also donate via Venmo by sending funds to @THSBoosters. Those wishing to send checks or need W9 information can email the Tehachapi Warrior Boosters at gowarriors@thsboosters.com for those details. 

Tehachapi Warriors Booster Club Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit established to support athletic teams at Tehachapi High School. The Booster Club focuses on initiatives that impact student-athlete safety, postseason needs, training equipment and other needs as identified by coaches and staff. 

More information can be found online at thsboosters.boosterhub.com.