INTRODUCTION
The 2011 football season would see the Saskatoon Hilltop Club celebrate its 65 th Anniversary of operation. As in years past a Steering Committee would be convened to organize and host the event. This year’s reunion steering committee consisted of Terry Postey, Murray Little, Lyle
Hislop , Al Gibb, Rick Hopkins and was chaired by Dale Newman.
The reunion was held August 19 th through 21 st , 2011. Festivities included:
 Friday night registration and reception
 Saturday Clubhouse social
 Saturday evening banquet & social

Sunday reunion game and clubhouse social
In total fifty six (56) alumni and twenty six (26) spouses, partners or guests attended the entire weekend. An additional four (4) alumni came for Friday night only.
The 2011 edition of the Saskatoon Hilltops won the reunion game over the Winnipeg Rifles
45-33.
EVENT DETAILS
The number in attendance was down significantly from past years. Based on feedback those in attendance thoroughly enjoyed themselves through the weekend. The 58-59 Canadian
Championship teams continue to experience the highest number of alumni returning to each reunion.

Unfortunately there were decades of alumni that were not present at this year’s event.
The committee was concerned that the reunion would run a large deficit due to the low number of participants. With all accounts settled the 65 th reunion ran a $ 1500.00 deficit.
This will be covered by funds currently in the Alumni account.
As many of you know the operational costs for the Saskatoon Hilltop Football Club are on the rise. The traditional methods of fundraising provide just enough funding to run the football team itself. A suggestion was brought to the Board of Directors to establish a “Legacy Fund” that alumni could contribute to. These funds would be used, at the direction of each Alumnus, to provide additional scholarship money to enhance the coach’s recruitment campaigns, to assist with the increasing costs related to maintenance and infrastructure upgrades for the clubhouse or contribute to regular upgrades to equipment for our athletes to provide the best and safest equipment. Al Gibb, alumni steering committee member, chaired this project and agreed to take it forward to the alumni during the reunion festivities. The development of the
“Legacy Fund” took many countless hours and it was hoped that the introduction and concept would be embraced by the alumni.
The launch was held at a special breakfast on Sunday August 21, 2011. Unfortunately the launch did not turn into the fundraising event we expected. The majority of the discussion was related to “how to run the club more efficiently”. Our reality is that the Saskatoon Hilltop
Football Club must look to alternate ways for fundraising. The club’s directors remain in support of continuing with the “Legacy Fund”. For more information please check the hilltop website.
ISSUES AND SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE REUNIONS
The steering committee has received some suggestions or issues, below you will find some for your consideration:
 Email and website insufficient modes of communication o Facebook ? o Canada Post ?
 The event is planned for the 3 rd week of August. o Changing to a September date may conflict with family school activities but would not be during traditional summer vacation months o Hold the reunion in June or July when club Directors are not so busy with football season activities

 Reunion every five (5) years o The Steering committee supports the five (5) year reunion anniversary
 Relocate Friday night registration and social to Hilltop Clubhouse
 Shorten the event & change the format o Golf Saturday , mixer Saturday afternoon at clubhouse, banquet Saturday night and reunion game Sunday
 Securing a sponsor for one of the events to offset costs
CONCLUSION
The steering committee has committed to arrange a meeting in late March early April 2012 and invite alumni from the 80’s, 90’s and 2000’s to participate in a brainstorming session in for the
2016 reunion.
Members of the 2011 steering committee will assist the 2016 steering committee as needed.
I would personally like to sincerely thank the steering committee members for their significant assistance with the 65 th Reunion. Their many hours of planning is a testament to their commitment to the Saskatoon Hilltop Football Club.
In closing thank you to all that attended the 65 th Reunion. I can assure you fun was had by all who attended.
Should you have any comments, suggestions or improvements please forward to our
Communications Lead, Terry Postey. terry.postey@sasktel.net