pleased at its new functionality and the available resources as well. The Task Force assigned to this project worked diligently and put in many hours over this past year to make this happen. Especially appreciated are the number of volunteers for this Task Force; we are a volunteer association and it is always a pleasure to see those willing to give of their time to further our cause.

If anyone would like to participate in any area of particular interest, please do not hesitate to contact Fred Stringfellow or anyone on the Board. We also welcome ideas as well to enhance our presence in the construction industry. ASBA is always interested in showing more value for the membership as well as showing the value of what we currently offer.

Most of us I am sure are wrapping up our construction season. I know many of us had a late start to our season with the extensive rains across most of the country. Some of us are still fighting those rains! At the same time, we need to be ready for 2011. According to NFHS, as of September 8th, 2010, participation in high school sports increased for the 21st consecutive school year in 2009-10, eclipsing the 7.6 million mark for the first time! As stated by NFHS Executive Director, Bob Gardner, “This reinforces the values that high school sports provide as part of the education of our students.”

Based on this most recent survey, 55.1% of all students enrolled in high schools participate in athletics. This emphasizes and reinforces the idea that sports continue to have a significant roll in student involvement in schools across the country.

Outdoor track and field gained the most combined participants in 2009-10 with an increase of 25,561 participants. Outdoor track and field led the way in boy’s sports with 14,116 additional participants.

The number one sport, based on participants, is 11-man football at 1,109,278 and track and field is second at 572,123 for boys and is the leading program for girls at 469,177 participants for a total of 1,041,300 track and field participants. High School participation in tennis is at 162,755 for boys and 182,395 for girls.

Many states across the country are seeing a dramatic increase in rural school consolidation. This is resulting in new buildings and, most importantly, new athletic facilities. Be sure to attend the Technical Meeting this year to best prepare yourself for the increased opportunities.