NORTH SMITHFIELD – More than 60 high school and middle school athletic teams will soon get new uniforms following a request this month from Athletic Director Amanda Bean.
The School Committee approved a request not to exceed $50,000 at their meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 23 to vendor 3T Enterprises doing business as Grogan Marciano Sporting Goods.
“They continue to offer the best pricing and service in the area,” noted Bean in a memo to Supt. Michael St. Jean. “This request would allow the athletic department to fully catch up on the necessary update to the uniforms, and move forward into the coming years with the allocated amount in the budget yearly for updates.”
The list of uniforms to be purchased includes 40 sets each for boys and girls track teams, and 40 sets of white game pants for the football team. The boys varsity tennis team will get 20 new kelly green tops, and varsity boys basketball will receive 22 sets of home and away uniforms, while middle school boys receive 20. Middle school girls cross country will get will get 30 jerseys, and boys and girls varsity cross country teams will get 30 tops each. And the list goes on.
“I think we need our athletes to know that we are proud of them, and they can present themselves and present North Smithfield well with uniforms that are not 23 years old,” said School Committee Vice Chairperson Jean Meo. “It will be good to put this to bed. We’ve been nickel and diming this for years, so it’s a good move.”
It’s an update for student athletes that School Committee members admitted is long overdue.
Committee member William Connell noted that a previous presentation on the proposal included quotes from multiple vendors and a detailed explanation of why the spending is needed.
“I just thought the presentation was very good and it explained why we’re doing this,” said Connell. “It’s going to be uniforms that are in good shape and will last for awhile. We looked at options. I think Terri and I both felt it was very well presented.”
“It’s time to kind of catch up,” committee member Terri Bartomioli agreed.
St. Jean said the uniforms would be ordered the day after the meeting, allowing the town to get a 20 percent discount.
