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Hull athletic director reports participation gains, new Under Armour deal and trainer staffing challenge
Summary
Athletic director Ben Kissner told the committee participation rose (reported 11%), announced a four-year Under Armour apparel agreement, a switch to FinalForms registration and ongoing work to secure EMT coverage and a full-time athletic trainer; outstanding user fees of about $4,700 were discussed.
Ben Kissner, Hull High School's athletic director, presented a year-end athletics update to the school committee, reporting several program gains and operational changes while flagging a continuing gap in athletic-trainer coverage.
Kissner said overall participation improved year over year and described sport-specific increases: "We had nine [girls basketball] last year. We raised that number to 19 this year," he reported. He also highlighted JV baseball growth (13→21) and new varsity rollouts across multiple teams.
Kissner detailed several administrative changes intended to improve communication and program management: a biweekly athletics newsletter to stakeholders, a renewed captain leadership program and an alumni athletic-achievement spotlight he credited to staff support. He said the district signed a four-year agreement with Under Armour that will include licensed jerseys and allow student input on design choices. The district plans to move athletics registration to FinalForms after finding Arbiter registration less user-friendly.
On health and safety, Kissner said a previous athletics medical-services vendor could not sustain EMT coverage through the full season; the district terminated that contract and is exploring EMT coverage through the town fire department for game-day needs while continuing to seek a full-time athletic trainer. Committee members cited an estimated EMT-service cost of roughly $13,000 and pressed for clarity about the difference between EMT and certified athletic-trainer services; Kissner explained trainers can perform on-site evaluations that typically allow students to return to play, while EMT services are more limited.
Kissner also reported outstanding user fees of about $4,700 across 19 families; staff said outreach had reduced the balance and that hardship waivers (including consideration of free-and-reduced-lunch eligibility) would remain available.
A resident, Nicole Polmo, praised the new communications: "That newsletter just helps overall," she said during public comment, adding that clearer district communications help residents feel connected even when they are not parents.
Next steps: administrators said they will keep pursuing a long-term athletic-trainer hire, finalize EMT arrangements with town partners and continue regular communications on fees, hardship processes and program updates.
