Opinion

Dear Alpine Cowboys fans, players, staff, and volunteers, My great-grandfather donated Kokernot field to AISD back in the day and AISD leases it to Sul Ross and Sul Ross subleases the field for three-and-a-half months to the Alpine Cowboys. We have always paid a small fee in addition to inkind improvements and maintenance since we became a 501c3 Non-Profit in 2011. Last season we were asked to put up $10,000 so that the warning track and infield could be restored, and we complied. Knowing the struggle it was to raise this money, in addition to our operating costs and contributions, we made it clear that the Cowboys would not be able to fulfill this obligation in 2024. AISD Superintendent and the Sul Ross President finally presented us with a contract on April 8 asking for the same $10,000 lease fee and have not been willing to negotiate down to our offer of $5,000 which includes full maintenance of Kokernot Field. “Deferred Maintenance”, they call it. Unfortunately, we had to go up on all sponsorships and gate fees and season tickets and will now no longer be able to provide free admission to any AISD student or staff nor Sul Ross staff or student (which we have been providing for nearly 13 years). For the future of Alpine Cowboys baseball please show support this year in any way you can and let these two institutions know why we are important to the community and Kokernot Field. Our entire board has volunteered and poured our souls into this organization and Kokernot Field.