Wednesday, September 12, 2001

Get your programs! Chris Schutter
keeps prep yearbooks alive

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By Jason Kaneshiro
jkaneshiro@starbulletin.com

Chris Schutter is a private school graduate, but he jumped at the opportunity to help keep a public school institution alive.

The former Maryknoll athlete recently released the 2001 edition of the Hawaii High School Football Program, which he hopes will serve as a time capsule for student athletes.

"That way the kids can hang on to their memories," said Schutter. "I know my kids continue to look at my books from high school."

Oahu Interscholastic Association athletic directors produced the OIA/ILH souvenir program annually from 1976 through last year. The book featured team photos and rosters of OIA and ILH football and cheerleading squads and served as a valuable fundraiser for the schools. But the project was in danger of being discontinued before its 26th edition could go to print.

"The athletic directors have a full plate, and for them to work on a publication of this magnitude was challenging," Schutter said. "So with the appointment ... I was able to dedicate 16 to 18 hours a day to the project and take it off their hands."

Schutter worked with Michele Kapahua and former Hawaii defensive back Mike Tresler on the project and expanded the book to include the neighbor islands. This year's edition features team photos, rosters and schedules for 41 of the state's 44 high school football teams. The only squads missing are Pahoa, Konawaena and Keaau, which couldn't meet the project's deadlines.

"I think what we needed to implement immediately was incorporating the neighbor island teams," Schutter said. "That way Oahu fans and schools could get familiar with the neighbor islands and vice versa."

Also included in the program are coupons and an entry blank for a drawing for a year of unlimited golf at Olomana Golf Links.

The program, which was funded solely through advertising sales, will be sold in the stands at prep football games and at school athletic departments.

The book costs $5 and most of the revenues will benefit the school where it was sold. For the first 1,000 books a school sells, $3 of each sale remains with the school. For every additional book sold, $4 goes toward the school. The remaining money will help fund OIA scholarships.

Schutter also plans to send books to every NCAA Division I college, the top 40 I-AA programs and every junior college west of the Rockies as a recruiting aid. He also plans to implement information on NCAA academic requirements in next year's edition to help student-athletes prepare for college.

He's planning programs for boys basketball and baseball, and possibly girls basketball, this year and hopes to add more sports next year.

For more information, call 524-4600, ext. 234.