Meridian ISD alumni donate sports equipment to athletic dept.

• Nathan Diebenow | Meridian Tribune

The Meridian Independent School District’s athletic department accepted donations to the school’s baseball and softball programs during the Meridian’s school board meeting on Monday, June 17, 2024.

During the public comment segment, local sports coordinator and advocate Trey Finch presented the donations on behalf of the alumni of Meridian High School.

Finch, who has been instrumental in organizing local sports events and fundraisers, reported on the success of the community’s efforts to support Meridian’s athletic programs.

He highlighted a fundraiser –a softball tournament in April 2024– that significantly boosted the resources available for the school’s baseball and softball teams.

“This year’s tournament had a great turnout –about double the participation compared to last year. Everybody had a lot of fun,” Finch said, smiling. “It was a mix of alumni and community members coming together, all for a good cause.”

The tournament raised a total of $2,307, with $1,207 directed to the high school athletic programs and $1,100 to the little league. These funds were quickly put to good use, as Finch announced the purchase and donation of the baseball and softball equipment.

The donation included sets of catchers’ gear and new bats for both the boys' and girls' teams. Finch emphasized the importance of providing equal opportunities and quality equipment to all players, regardless of different genders.

“Everybody gets the same thing because we want to keep it even and make sure they’re protected and have nice things,” Finch explained.

Finch concluded his comments by looking ahead to future events and continued support for Meridian’s sports programs.

Alumni group volunteer Jerry Cooper told an anecdote about a fellow alumni expressing her thanks for putting on the event.

“She came to me and gave me a big hug. She had tears in her eyes,” he said. “She said, ‘I want to thank you for everything you guys have done here today. This is the closest thing that we have ever got to a class reunion.”

Cooper said that individual alumni from different generations came from all across Texas and the country to particulate in the softball tournament. “We’d like to build on it next year, if we can,” he said.

This April’s Meridian alumni softball tournament took place on the ballfields at Meridian ISD.

When the dust settled, the Swingerzzz (aka Team Felan) won the tournament; and Ryan Davenport won the Homerun Derby.

About the Meridian Alumni Group The alumni group’s mission is to build the love of baseball and softball in kids from elementary, all the way to high school so that Meridian athletes can excel at all levels of the sport, and know that their community is behind them all the way.