About three dozen girls and parents from the Mars Girls Field Hockey Club filled the Mars Area School District administration building boardroom Tuesday night, creating a standing-room-only atmosphere as the program formally addressed the school board about its future.
The presentation was led by Lauren Billinger, founder and director of the Mars Girls Field Hockey program, alongside coaches, student-athletes, and families who came to show their support. The turnout underscored the growing interest in the sport and the strong sense of community surrounding the program.
Seeking School Affiliation
Billinger outlined the program’s current status as a club sport and the challenges it faces under district policy, which requires a two-year club trial period before a sport can be considered for school affiliation. While the program has made progress, she noted that growth has stalled due to a lack of access to appropriate facilities — particularly turf fields.
According to Billinger, turf access is critical for player development and safety. It was explained that practicing on grass limits skill advancement, reduces competitiveness against neighboring districts that use turf, and increases the risk of injury.
The primary request presented to the board was for the program to be approved as a school-affiliated, PIAA-sanctioned sport at both the middle and high school levels. Billinger emphasized that the program would remain fully self-funded, minimizing financial impact on the district.
Voices from Students and Parents
Several students spoke during the meeting, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to play field hockey and describing how the sport has helped them build confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging. Many shared pride in the possibility of one day representing Mars Area School District in official competition.
Parents echoed those sentiments, highlighting not only athletic development but also the program’s role in character-building, leadership, and mental health. Several praised the students for their advocacy and maturity during the presentation.
Board Discussion: Facilities and Participation
While no decision was requested or made during the meeting, the discussion carried into the board’s comments section, where broader athletic considerations were raised.
Board member Jennifer DiCuccio raised concerns about the possible lack of feeder programs for some long-standing girls’ sports, such as golf and softball, noting that without early exposure at younger grade levels, participation at the middle and high school levels can decline over time.
Interest levels, the growth of newer programs, and long-term facilities planning were all cited as factors shaping the broader discussion.
DiCuccio noted that the board has not yet been presented with a high-level overview of all sports offerings, participation trends, and facilities usage, information she said would help the board make informed, long-term planning decisions.
During the broader discussion, comparisons were raised about how similarly sized districts are able to support a wider range of sports and facilities. In response, DiCuccio asked the administration to work with the athletic department to review scheduling needs and constraints, adding that any future considerations should also include the Girls Flag Football team, which previously requested recognition as a school-affiliated organization.
In Other Business
In addition to the field hockey discussion, the board approved several high school curriculum updates, including the addition of Applications in Algebra and CHS Sociology, as well as updates to course prerequisites and descriptions across multiple subjects.
The meeting also included a student council update highlighting successful holiday events and an upcoming blood drive scheduled for February 24, along with the announcement of upcoming budget meetings.
Upcoming Meetings and Budget Timeline
- Finance Committee budget meetings are scheduled for February 3, March 10, April 14, and May 5, all beginning at 6 p.m.
- Preliminary budget approval is expected on May 5, after which the proposed budget will be available for public review through June 9, ahead of final adoption.
- The next regular Mars Area School Board meeting is scheduled for February 10 at 7 p.m.