Silver Creek softball eyes trip to Myrtle Beach | News, Sports, Jobs

At a recent Board of Education meeting, Cerne proposed a field trip to Myrtle Beach, S.C., to compete in the annual Grand Strand Softball Classic tournament.

The trip, which would include three days at the tournament, would take place over the district’s spring break, so no official school days would be missed for the trip. The district would only be liable for any incidents that occur on the field or at team events, while travel and other time spent away from the field would not be considered school functions.

“This trip allows the girls to experience something many of them have never had the chance to experience, while making it, ideally, as financially viable as possible for all families, regardless of income,” Cerne said.

Cerne noted through fundraising efforts, the only costs remaining to families would be travel and food, with room and board covered by the Booster Club. The school’s athletic budget would cover the entry fee for the tournament. A player could travel with another player’s family if both families sign to approve of the arrangement. Athletes will not be punished if unable to attend.

Silver Creek pitcher Kay Hutchison delivers a pitch during a 6-3 victory over the eventual State Champion Gowanda Panthers, April 20, at Gowanda High School.

“I would never propose this if I thought it would be a financial burden to the district or the girls in the district,” Cerne said. He noted, if necessary, the Booster Club would assist families in need.

Silver Creek would not be the first team from Chautauqua County to ever make an appearance in the tournament, as the Dunkirk Marauders coached by Michelle Gilmour visited Myrtle Beach to compete in the Grand Strand Softball Classic in 2018. Cassadaga Valley has also previously competed in the tournament, and the Fredonia baseball team also traveled to Myrtle Beach last season for the Mingo Bay Baseball Classic tournament.

“We’re not breaking new ground here. This is a trip that a lot of teams do. We’re trying to follow what they do and go from there,” Cerne said.

Cerne, a district employee for the past nine years, has been coaching softball at various levels over the past eight years. After speaking with Athletic Director Sean Helmer about the trip, Cerne “took it and ran with it.”

Cerne said Silver Creek’s 2023 season was “the best season in recent recorded history.” He noted it was the most successful season he could find dating back as far as 1995. Silver Creek lost its third meeting of the season with Gowanda in the Section VI Championship game, which sparked Gowanda’s run all the way to a state championship. Cerne believes that playing early season games in Myrtle Beach will help his team be more prepared this season to make a run at a championship.

“The way I’m looking at it right now, with the team I have, we have a window of great girls and very supportive families that makes me think we can take this program to the next level,” Cerne said. “My goal is to make it one of the premier sports and extracurricular options in the district.”

Cerne hopes to carry 12-13 varsity players this season, with 11 players being the minimum he would bring on the proposed trip. A player from the junior varsity team would be offered the opportunity to travel with the team if a spot opens.

“If this is a success, which I fully believe it can be, I hope to make this an annual thing the girls could look forward to, work towards, and use it as a way to keep girls in the program,” Cerne said. “… I hope I have your support.”

Cerne joked after his presentation, which concluded after approximately seven minutes, “Do I have your blessing, then?” The room laughed, and Cerne remained at the meeting as it proceeded to the Treasurer’s Report from Business Administrator Lisa Rohloff.

The Board of Education later accepted a field trip request for a middle school science class trip to the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium on May 28, 2024.