What is the SVAA and what do they do? How do I get involved? Are they a part of the Swan
Valley School District? Do they make decisions on who is hired on the Swan Valley Coaching
Staff? These are just some of the common questions that people will ask who are not familiar
with the organization and how it operates.
SVAA stands for Swan Valley Athletic Association. The Swan Valley Athletic Association is a
separate volunteer booster organization that has been in place for more than 40 years. Their goal
is to manage larger fundraising projects that utilize proceeds to assist the Swan Valley Athletic
Department and Swan Valley High School teams with what they need to build and support
successful Swan Valley athletes.
SVAA is not employed by the Swan Valley School District and they do not have any input on
how district funds are spent, nor are they a part of coaching decisions that are made. They are
simply giving their time and looking to help!
Officers of the SVAA consist of President Angela Alworden, Vice President Kevin Shanks,
Treasurer Judy Adams, Secretary Nicole Beougher, and Board Member Cari Shanks.
The SVAA was able to contribute $41,736 to Swan Valley athletic teams, programs, and clubs
during the 2024-2025 school year. Some of the big ticket items that the SVAA has generously
helped fund in recent years include a new customized wrestling mat used for competition; 2
retractable batting cages for the high school gym balcony; carbon fiber volleyball poles, nets, and
volleyballs; wind screen for the east football stadium fence; baseball pitching machine; 3 boys /
girls basketball shooting machines; squat racks for the weight room; school van customization
wrap; and a video analytics software program called Hudl used by multiple sports.
One of the biggest ways to generate funds for the SVAA is running the indoor and outdoor
concession stands at home high school athletic events. They will offer the opportunity to school
clubs / organizations and athletic teams to work the concessions as a fundraiser. The students
working also receive community service hours and learn social skills, handling money, and
safely preparing and serving food and drinks. Concession payouts to volunteers in 2024-25
totaled almost $11,000!
In addition to operating the high school concession stands, the Rally in the Valley is another big
fundraiser for the SVAA which raises thousands of dollars for Swan Valley Athletics through
ticket sales and raffles on the night of the event. The Rally in the Valley will take place on
Saturday, November 1st at the Horizons Conference Center in Saginaw. Semi new to the Rally
is the Swan Valley Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony which will take place at the
beginning of the night. This year, 9 Swan Valley individual state champions will be inducted
into the Class of 2025. The Rally in the Valley is a good time with dinner, an open bar, and
hours of music and entertainment, including dueling pianos! Please be on the lookout for
information on how to purchase tickets to support Swan Valley Athletics.
Not only does the SVAA help athletic teams with equipment purchases, but they also provide an
annual scholarship to eligible senior athletes who plan to attend a college or university. The 5
SVAA Scholarship recipients from the Class of 2025 were Jameson Ball, Cal DeLisle, Madison
Gracias, Sydney Kuhn, and Joseph Maturen. In order to apply, the senior athlete’s parent /
guardian must be a current member of the SVAA.
The next school year is just around the corner! SVAA membership started up again August 1 st
and MEMBERS ARE NEEDED! Rally in the Valley 2025 is on the books and plans are
underway! The organization could use help on the Rally Planning Committee, organizing
concession sales, brick sales, and future fundraising ideas. Sign up online at
swanvalleyschools.com and look for the SV Athletic Association button or link, or mail
completed membership forms to the address provided. Membership forms can also be found in
the Swan Valley High School Athletic Office. Any questions about how to get involved with the
SVAA can be directed to President Angela Alworden at alworden@sbcglobal.net.
A big THANK YOU to members and volunteers! Without your support, the SVAA would not
be able to do what it does for Swan Valley student-athletes and athletic programs!