The West Side Boosters Youth Athletic Club, Inc, a non-profit organization (501c3), was established in 1970 to provide athletic opportunities for young people regardless of their ability or financial status. Our mission is to develop and administer programs which provide leadership and engagement through sports and social activities to West Side youth. The West Side Boosters does not turn anyone away for their inability to pay.
The Westside Booster Club was founded in 1970. However, its origins can be traced back into the early 1940's through an organization called the Neighborhood House.
Combined efforts of Harry Gaston, considered to be the father of Westside Athletics and Neighborhood House, provided enriching opportunities for St. Paul's Westside boys and girls. These opportunities included quality structures in the fundamentals of athletics as well as the fundamentals of life. An environment with emphasis on mental and physical toughness, teamwork and integrity was established through football, basketball and baseball programs.
Coach Gaston instilled in his players one of the most valuable, prosperous and honorable set of guidelines to live by, you must give back what you have been given. Today's coaches are yesterday's players. Today's players will undoubtedly be the coaches of tomorrow. This solid foundation of core values that has been passed down through the generations is what we continue to build on today.
In an effort to promote good sportsmanship, West Side Boosters Youth Athletic Club has pledged to enforce a Code of Conduct that we hope will ensure the physical and emotional well-being of all its participants. We recognize the physical and aggressive nature of the sport and, as such, we recognize the need for control. As parents and coaches, it is our responsibility to lead by example.
Therefore, all parents and players are responsible to read and sign and adhere to this Code of Conduct. All participants who are deemed to be in violation of the Code of Conduct are subject to suspension and/or expulsion from the program. Parents who are found to be in violation may forfeit their child’s right to participate in the program.
Coaches will be responsible of routine discipline of minor infractions as they incur within their own teams. Any infraction that cannot be controlled at the team level or that the coach believes warrants, will be referred to the Board of Directors of West Side Boosters Youth Athletic Club for further action.
Coaches are to place the emotional and physical well-being of his/her players ahead of their desire to win. Coaches will lead by example in demonstrating fair play and sportsmanship of their players.
West Side Boosters Youth Athletic Club strives to enhance the development of all participants. Our goals are to benefit the children who choose to participate. The above guidelines are set as a reminder that as parents and coaches, we are to act as positive examples for our children to follow.