Tamaqua Area School District athletic director Mike Hromyak, a football and track standout in his high school days there, can't help but stay in touch with athletics at his alma mater.

He hopes to soon be part of a new team, the Tamaqua Area Athletic Alumni Association. The group will hold its first meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, at the high school."This has been something that I have been trying to get started over the years and I believe there is an interest," Hromyak said. "I also am hoping that it will be a resource that the Athletic Department could use for funding some of our athletic program needs that the regular budget cannot afford."Hromyak said that the group will provide a way for alumni to stay in touch with the school. The district already has a Hall of Fame for athletes, established for about 20 years. Hromyak said there's no shortage of great athletes and coaches, male and female, who have impacted the school and left an important legacy."There are hundreds," Hromyak said. "I look forward to the opportunity for them to get together for events, fundraisers, picnics whatever we decide to do as a group."Anyone who is interested and unable to attend the meeting can contact Hromyak through the school district.