Tracy Hassler, president of the Jim Thorpe girls' booster club soccer team, read a passionate letter to the school board council asking for her team to have more stadium playing time.

Three years ago Hassler made the same request, and to date the number of games on the stadium field remains as it did three years ago. The girls play four games on the field with two of the games played early Saturday mornings.The field the team regularly uses has one small bench area, a rundown concession stand and only one portable toilet for teams and spectators to use. The soccer team raises most of their funds through the concession stand. When a game is held in the stadium the team is able to double their concession money.As Hassler read her letter her voice shook with emotion. "These varsity girls work hard. They deserve to be on the field," she said. Hassler asked for at least two more games to be played at the stadium. Councilman John Ciavarella told Hassler there is currently $8,000 set aside for a new concession stand. He said the field is in great shape because it hosts few events.Councilman Robert Schaninger also commented. "The fields were just redone, and the contractor said we can't pound the field or we will have to rework it. To give you all those dates will beat up the field. It's not that we aren't sympathetic," he said."The engineers that redid the field put a Band-Aid on it. If we put all teams back on field it won't hold," said Councilwoman Pearl Sheckler. Only 20 events were recommended by the engineers, and currently 30 are held there."As a taxpayer and parent of two students, I'm really disappointed," Hassler said.Councilman Doctor Michael Principe sympathized with Hassler. "These kids are as valuable as the football kids. Whether we get a new snack stand and bathroom, it's not the same as the big field. But I do understand the field usage issue," he said."But she is right, we are discriminating. Some sports get it more than others," Councilman Glenn Confer said.The board decided to table the issue at present.