March Madness Final Four Games on the TV, parents and coaches chatting over delicious food and money being raised for WCHS athletics. These are just a few features of the WCHS Booster Club’s 2025 Bulldog Bash. The well-kept facilities and pristine equipment that WCHS athletic teams enjoy do not come without significant behind-the-scenes work from the Booster Club and the Athletic Department to plan successful fundraisers like the Bulldog Bash.
Although the annual event’s primary goal is to raise funds, the Bulldog Bash is an enjoyable event for all attendees. The Booster Club strives to keep the costs (food, drinks, venue rental) for the event low, such that as much revenue as possible can go towards paying for the needs of WCHS Athletics, while still putting on an exciting night for parents and coaches.
“[The event gathers] Bulldog Parents together in a casual, fun setting off the fields, courts, track, mats and pool deck,” Booster Club President Bridget Calhoun said. “Who would not love to hang out with their fellow team parents and coaches in a great venue with delicious food (donated from Raku, Gregorio’s, Attman’s Deli, etc.) and drinks?”
The event brought together a variety of community members who all share a common goal: raising money for WCHS Athletics. It takes a passionate, cohesive community to keep WCHS Athletics well-run and successful, so the night was an opportunity for all of the individuals dedicated to the program to appreciate one another and have some fun.
“I love being able to see all of my coaches at once and socialize with them,” WCHS Athletic Director Jesse Smith said. “I also enjoy meeting new parents and getting to know our community a little better. Not only does this event help to provide for all of our athletic teams, it is just a good fun event where everyone can unwind and have a great night out.”
Although attendees of the event get to relax and enjoy their night, the planning that goes into making a successful Bulldog Bash is significant. This planning starts early in the school year where they coordinate a date that does not conflict with any WCHS sporting events.
“The Bulldog Bash is chaired by one or two people every year,” Calhoun said. “This year our chairs were Beth Dubin and Andi Hedberg, both of whom were new to this role. They are responsible for planning and executing the event in consultation with the President and the Board [of the Booster Club] on big items like the date, the venue and ticket prices.”
Attending the Bulldog Bash is just one of the many ways that community members can donate to WCHS Athletics through the Booster Club. The Booster Club relies on the support of WCHS families in order to be able to continuously play a primary role in the success of WCHS Athletics.
“The Booster Club gets most of its money through membership dues, concessions and advertisers,” Smith said. “So it is very important for families of student athletes to join the Booster Club, for people to go to games, spend money at the concession stands and any of our families that have businesses and want to advertise [should] reach out to the Booster Club to do so.”
