Marblehead athletic programs raking in cash

MARBLEHEAD – "Our participation numbers are fantastic," Athletic Director Michael Plansky told the School Committee last week – and the fee numbers are also looking good.Plansky is riding a wave after "the most successful fall ever," in which every team qualified for a state tournament, something that has never happened before.Plansky said the success may stem from the number of student athletes who dedicated their season to Allie Castner, the Marblehead High student who died in an automobile accident in August."The community came together for this at a time when they needed healing," he said.So far this year Plansky has collected $128,922 in athletic fees at Marblehead High and $18,600 in fees from participants at the Marblehead Veterans Middle School, for a total of $147,522.Gate receipts so far this year amount to $47,356, "an all-time high," according to the athletic director.Those numbers are bolstered by $282,849 in the school budget and $1,224 in donations. Despite record participation and ticket sales high school sports are running at a $3,933 shortfall, middle school sports show a $400 surplus.That’s expected to change this spring, however.By the end of the year Plansky expects 1,200 athletes to have played 650 games – and he’s expecting to collect $25,000 more in fees and $10,000 more in gate receipts.