Lincoln School athletics program raising funds to replace failing scoreboard

When the scoreboard at the Lincoln Gym shorted out during a Jan. 11 home game against Phillipsburg, Lincoln School Athletic Director Laura Bullis broke out a whiteboard to keep score.

This summer, the Lincoln School Athletics Department is working to raise $5000 for the purchase of a new set of scoreboards and a controller. The total cost of the new system comes in at around $10,000, Bullis told the BVD.

She explained that the scoreboards are old and cause quite a bit of stress when they short out, which impacts both the ability to keep score and the ability to time the games.

Lincoln resident Bill Kornec worked on the score boards after the short in January put them out of commission. The fix kept them working throughout to the season, but Bullis found the simple solution they'd hoped for wouldn't work.

"We tried to get away with just replacing the controller, but discovered it would have to be the entire system (that's) replaced, because our existing boards are 20-plus years old," she said in an e-mail.

One replacement option they looked at used large flat panel displays, but according to Bullis there was just too much concern about how they could protect them from errant basketballs or volleyballs in the gym's relatively the tight space.

The replacement system they opted for will be very similar to the old one, since that style works best in the school'sl gym, but will be current, Bullis said.

"We don't necessarily have a deadline to raise the money by, but our goal is to come up with at least half the money ($5,000) to help the school out," Bullis said. "I have a Fundly campvvaign started that I've shared on Facebook."

By Sunday the online fundraising campaign had raised $520, and Bullis has donations totaling about $2500 from local businesses and community members.

To find the Fundly campaign, go to https://fundly.com/lincoln-public-school-scoreboard-fundraiser-lincoln-lynx-scoreboard. For more information, contact Bullis, Carol Williams or Carla Anderson at 362-4201.