GLEN SPEY, NY — After two years of a successful summer basketball camp he founded with joint support from the towns of Highland and Lumberland, Josh Santoro came before the two town boards at their meetings last week to ask some additional help.

Santoro, a Glen Spey resident, is a seven-year faculty member at Eldred Central School (ECS), where he coaches the varsity baseball team. His basketball camp for ECS students resulted in sectional championships for both boys and girls teams in its first year, and last year the girl’s team made it to the state tournament. “That could be a coincidence,” he said.

The towns had each appropriated $1,500 annually, but Santoro said he has kept expenses at $1,000 each in past years. “This year, I want to use the extra money,” he said.

While the summer program would continue as in past, Santoro proposed creation of a traveling girls “showcase” team, associated with the American Athletic Union (AAU). The team, to be called Sullivan United, would also include players from several other county school districts, from which he has already had inquiries and offers of support for expansion of the camp.

The schedule would include 10 events, none more than a four-hour drive away, and the total program would cost under $5,000, a portion of which would be paid by players’ families.

Santoro said he would pay for transportation, “out of pocket,” and there would be no overnight trips. “I’m not dealing with 10 girls in a hotel,” he said in mock horror.

After creation of the team, Santoro said it could qualify for Level 3 status with the Amateur Athletic Union of the U.S. Inc, making it eligible for federal tax-exempt status, and allowing the team to fundraise for future expenses.

He said the goal is to have the players seen by representatives of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I and II colleges, which recruit high school players and offer athletic scholarships. “Those people don’t go to all high school games anymore,” he said.

He was well received by both boards, where he was congratulated for his efforts by both supervisors, Andrew Boyar of Highland and Nadia Rajsz of Lumberland.

Santoro got two offers of private organizational support at Highland’s Tuesday meeting. Both supervisors said their boards would consider the numbers at their next workshop meeting.