Join the Cougars and Register to Play
This guide covers fundraising expectations for all Cougar families — 5th grade through high school. Read the section that applies to your athlete.
Fundraising by Grade Level
| Grade | Expectation |
|---|---|
| 5th–6th Grade | No fundraising required. Optional: concessions at MSU and car wash ticket sales. |
| 7th–8th Grade | Concessions at MSU. Optional: car wash ticket sales toward registration. |
| High School | Active role in securing season sponsors and individual donors each season. |
For 5th–8th Grade Families
There is no fundraising requirement for 5th–6th grade, and a lighter expectation for 7th–8th grade. Here are the two ways your family can participate.
- Contact the board to get your tickets first
- Return the cost of tickets sold plus any unsold tickets to the board
- Keep the remainder as a credit toward registration
- Since registration is often paid before tickets are sold, proceeds typically reimburse the family after the fact
- A shift = the length of one sporting event (football, volleyball, or basketball game)
- Sign up through your coach or team coordinator
- Parents must track their own shifts to receive the credit
For High School Families
Your participation in fundraising directly lowers what your family pays for registration. The more you raise, the less you owe — and top fundraisers play for free.
How Registration Works
| Sport | Full Fee | With Fundraising | Hold Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5th–6th Volleyball | $400 flat fee | ||
| 7th–8th Volleyball | $400 flat fee | ||
| HS Volleyball | $1,300 | $400 | $200 |
| HS Girls Soccer | $1,300 | $400 | $200 |
| HS Boys Soccer | $1,300 | $400 | $200 |
| HS Boys Basketball | $1,600 | $500 | $200 |
| HS Girls Basketball | $1,600 | $500 | $200 |
Three Ways to Raise Money
If You Collect Cash or Checks
- Give all cash and checks to your coach — do not hold onto donations.
- Your coach will deliver them to the board treasurer and log the amount in RallyUp.
- Remind donors they can also give online via your personal RallyUp link — it's easier to track.
Finding Business Sponsors
You and your teammates are the best spokespeople for the Cougars. Each team targets 8–10 local businesses per season. Ask a parent, family friend, or local business owner you know personally.
| Tier | Amount | What They Get |
|---|---|---|
| Elite Sponsor | $1,000 | Team-page logo, 2 social posts, 2 PA reads, family season tickets |
| Pop-a-Shot (Basketball) | $1,000 | Name announced at every home game halftime |
| Platinum Sponsor | $500 | Team-page logo, 2 PA reads, family season tickets |
Fundraising Incentives
| Level | Prize | How to Earn It |
|---|---|---|
| $500 | Witness by Darren Carlson | Raise for your team via RallyUp or business sponsors |
| $1,000 | Free ESV Study Bible | Raise for your team via RallyUp or business sponsors |
| $2,000 | Free AirPods 4 | Raise for your team via RallyUp or business sponsors |
| $3,000 | Free registration for current season | Raise for your team via RallyUp or business sponsors |
Prizes are cumulative — hit $3,000 and you receive everything above it too. Concessions shifts and car wash ticket sales count separately toward your personal registration credit.
Answers to Questions You Might Have
Can I just write a check for the full registration amount and not take part in fundraising?
Yes, absolutely. Paying the full registration amount is always an option.
Can the team fundraise for more than the cost of the season?
Yes! Teams can fundraise for jerseys, equipment, warmups, travel gear players can keep, and even hotel expenses.
Why can't all my personal fundraising go directly toward my own registration?
Some athletes have connections to businesses or family donors that give them a fundraising advantage. Rather than making success depend on those factors, we pool team fundraising toward shared team expenses — which benefits everyone equally.
That said, there are three ways to raise money directly toward your own registration:
- Sell car wash tickets ($4.50 per ticket credited to your registration)
- Raise $3,000 in team fundraising and your registration is free (plus earn a book, Bible, and AirPods 4 along the way)
- Work concessions at MSU events ($20 per shift toward your registration)
Can I start a different kind of fundraiser for my team?
We appreciate the creativity! To keep things manageable, we've intentionally limited fundraising to our seven established tracks. We know there are plenty of other good ideas out there, but focusing on what we already have helps us run each track well.