Fort Mill/Goose Creek—A joint venture between the five
Shrine Temples directly associated with the Shrine Bowl of the two
Carolina’s, and the High School Sports Report, has been reached and if the
objectives are met by the end of the first year the deal could benefit
Shriner’s Hospitals as much as $1.1 million annually.
On March 11th Bucky Walker, chairman of the Board of Governors of the Shrine
Bowl said, “During the Shrine Bowl’s sixty-seven year history we have made
many alliances, but none compare to the one we have just struck with the South
Carolina HSSR founder Billy Baker. “A most methodical approach was made as
we moved through the evaluating process. We attempted to attack this venture
on all fronts and at all levels in our Shrine fraternity and the results were
always the same; “WIN” (for the Shrine/Hospitals), “WIN” for the
residents of South/North Carolina and “WIN” for Billy Baker and his
company.
“North Carolina has long wanted a duplication of the bi-weekly paper that
South Carolina rivals have enjoyed for nearly 20 years now. Not only will
North Carolina families be informed of which football athletes are “Who’s
Who” in their state but it will cover the entire spectrum of every sport
played at the high school level. This is why I feel it is going to be a
resounding success in North Carolina because the parents and families who play
sports other then the big Three want to read about their children just as
parents of the big three do as well.”
The business deal will benefit Shriners in both North and South Carolina.
Potentate Leslie “Doc” Stewart of Omar Temple in Charleston, S.C. said
this about the venture that won unanimous approval from all five potentates,
“I think it is new money and it is a new idea that has so many mutual
benefits to all involved. This relationship with the Sports Report serves a
great purpose and will help us highlight all year what we spotlight once a
year at the Shrine Bowl. We can only take 88 players to the Shrine Bowl once a
year, but through this relationship we have a great fund raiser for our
Shriners Hospital’s and we are also helping promote the positive activities
of 200,000 young people who participate in high school athletics in the two
Carolina’s.
“This is a fresh idea that benefits mankind in so many positive ways and it
certainly benefit our Shriner’s Hospitals, the world’s greatest
philanthropy. Omar Temple is ready to join the other four temples in making
this partnership work for the benefit of everyone involved.”
Joining Walker and Potentate “Doc” Stewart in voting for the business
venture was Robert L. Randsell Potentate of Sudan in New Bern, N.C., A.C.
“Pete” Coleman of Jamil Temple in Columbia, Brack Wilson of Sudan Temple
in New Bern, N.C. and Vernon G. Meek of Hejaz Temple in Greenville, S.C.
HSSR Publisher Billy G. Baker concludes, “One day many years from now it
will be known to thousands upon thousands of people that this partnership
accomplished what all great ideas must accomplish. Worthwhile ideas must
benefit mankind and that is the basis of why the Shriners have become
involved. We will help them raise money for their noble causes and we will
honor their hard work with positive publicity about who they are, and what
they are doing for mankind through the pages of our two state publications.
They have been helping less fortunate people in need of medical attention for
many years. They are the champions who are helping expand this publication to
North Carolina. They are to be congratulated and I thank Bucky Walker for
taking the time to listen to an idea that will soon bear fruit for a great
philanthropy.
At the heart of this business venture is a 50/50 partnership of proceeds
generated from by Shriners in the sale of single HSSR copies, subscriptions
and advertising in the areas served by the five temples. With nearly 30,000
Shriners in the two Carolina’s a lot of people will soon be reading about
the accomplishment of young athletes in their communities.
Watch out the Shriners are going to work on a fresh idea!!