Wareham High School recently received a small windfall of cash to offset the costs of athletics.

The Wareham High School Athletic Department received a $1,150 donation on Friday, Feb. 1, during half-time at the Lady Vikings' winning game against Pope John Paul II.

The Coast Guard also donated $400 to the Physical Education Department for athletic equipment.

“It is great to have the financial support from the Coast Guard,” said Wareham High School Principal Scott Palladino.  “In tough budgetary times, every little bit helps to give the student athletes at Wareham High School the best possible programs.”

The Athletic Department has had it pretty tough lately, with both cross country teams and the boys volleyball team getting dropped in budget cuts.

“Because our budget was cut by $43,000 this year, it will be very easy to find some place to use it,” Athletic Director Steve Rumbolt said of the donation.

Part of the reason the presentation was done at the girls' game was to encourage female students to take an interest in the Coast Guard, Rumbolt said, but the money will benefit the entire department.

“Out of the five services, the Coast Guard is the hardest to get into. … They have so many people that are trying to get in, and they want more women,” explained Rumbolt.

Rumbolt is acutely aware that the school's Athletic Department is not the only area suffering in these financially anemic times.

“The rest of the town is in the same situation,” he noted.