By STEVE MAZZONE

Sportscolumnist

It’s unfortunate what’s happened to athletics at Woonsocket High with its elimination of nearly all of its sports from the school budget in an effort to trim a $6.9 million deficit. A struggling economy had forced the School Committee to make a decision that it wasn’t overly pleased making.
In an informational meeting at the school’s auditorium this past Wednesday, athletic director George Nasuti told the nearly 200 in attendance that sports will not die at his alma mater. He outlined plans to keep the programs running, asking coaches to work on a volunteer basis and also asking the families and student-athletes to do their share by raising money through fund-raising and other means.
My hunch, my gut-feeling is that this hard-working, dedicated community is going to rally to make things work this year. Sports will live on at Woonsocket. Somehow, someway, I’m thinking the adequate funds will be raised and sports will continue.
I’m thinking and I’m also hoping.
The first indication that the school and city are putting on their rally caps occurred this week with Nasuti’s impromptu meeting. Word of the meeting only came a few days earlier, yet a healthy crowd showed up to the auditorium to show its support for the athletic programs.
“It’s tough times right now,” said WHS vice principal Carnell Henderson, who was on the sidelines last year as the Villa Novans’ head football coach. “I think the athletic department has some dedicated people that are committed to the kids, to the city of Woonsocket. As a whole, I think the athletic department is going to find a way to still get these kids participating in sports. Today was a positive step in that direction.”
Among the crowd on Wednesday were several coaches, including George Coderre (girls’ basketball), Kyle Ivey-Jones (boys’ basketball), Pam Paige (field hockey), John Marsella (baseball). Most of them have already indicated they’ll coach for free this upcoming season, something that’s not easy to do. Granted coaches don’t get rich from the salaries they receive, but the time and commitment issues can make a decision not to receive some kind of monetary reward at the season’s end a difficult one.
Longtime educator Dale Seward, who has coached girls’ soccer and the boys’ tennis for several years during his tenure, retired at the end of the school year in June. Seward was at the meeting, and even he’s ready to step to the plate.
“If they need someone to help I’m willing to help out,” he said. “This school has been good to me and I don’t mind giving back a little.”
Seward admitted he felt bad over the current situation and that’s the primary reason he wants to contribute his services.
“It’s just a shame,” he said. “Why do they always pick on the kids? It’s not their fault. The athletic budget is so minor, why do you pick on that?”
There were others that were there to show their support, such as former hoops’ star Brett Coderre (Class of 2008). There were other past alumni, including Roger Picard, a 1965 grad, who made it a point to give his opinions on how the budget can be cut, including utilizing RIPTA for the school’s busing issues.
There was also several parents that made an effort to attend the one-hour session. Evelyn Mack-Loggins, who will be running for the School Committee next month and is currently the President of The Extra Mile, a non-profit organization where she also heads an HIV/AIDS teen peer education program called “Straight-Up”, made sure she took time out of her day to attend.
“I’m here to be of support in any way,” she said. “My specialty is getting the parents involved so I’m here to carry on the information and to bring the parents here and get them more involved and find out how we can be a help this school year.”
Mack-Loggins indicated that she has been following the situation from the start. She says it’s difficult with the state making all its cuts to school funding, but she does feel it’s important to continue to fight and not let the tents fold.
“I have a lot of teens that are involved in sports and that’s the main reason that they continue to stay in school,” she said. “If this trickles out, the dropout rate is going to increase. I have a lot of young ladies that were looking forward to volleyball this year that are now devastated and don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Sitting next to Mack-Loggins in the auditorium was her friend Stephanie R. Chaplan. She, like Mack-Loggins, has a children in the Woonsocket school system.
“(My son) called me and told me he was coming, and I felt I should be here to support him for the program,” she said.
Again, I have a hunch that this dedicated, hard-working city will rally behind the troops. The businesses will help out in any way that they can. The coaches, student-athletes, parents and athletic department will make this thing work.
Will this been an issue next year? Judging by the economy, it probably will.
Right now, though, the biggest problem is to get through this year and keep our fingers crossed that things will change, at least somewhat.
Although not of the magnitude of this year, Woonsocket has been through this before back in 1991 and the people responded. It will take a bit more effort, a bit more sacrificing, but I’m predicting  a little déjà vu.