From Wall to Hall of Fame at Bridgehampton School

Since the idea for a Wall of Fame for standout Bridgehampton School athletes was pitched in early October, it has evolved into a larger Hall of Fame that will also include former students who have achieved great things in academics, the military, and other areas of school and community involvement.

But Mike Miller, the school’s athletic director, who came up with the idea, said the district needs help funding the project. Today, Bridgehampton launch­ed a fund-raising campaign via Kickstarter.com to raise the money needed for the project, which is expected to cost $15,000. A letter explaining the campaign has been mailed to district residents, and Mr. Miller said the district is hoping the community will support of the Hall of Fame project by donating through Kickstarter.

“The biggest thing we’re trying to convey is we want a special place in Bridgehampton that everyone can look at, that the kids and the community can look at and see the values that we’re about,” Mr. Miller said. “A lot of great people come out of this district and we want to make sure that is exemplified and recognized.”

The decision to expand the Hall of Fame beyond just athletics was made by a committee that included Mr. Miller and Ronnie White, the school board president. Also sitting on that committee are Southampton Town Councilwoman Christine Scalera, Carl Johnson, the boys basketball coach, Joe Zucker, the assistant basketball coach, Chris Campbell, a parent of three Bridgehampton students, John Reilly, a Bridgehampton social studies teacher, and Steve Meyers, a Bridgehampton gym teacher.

Although there has been some speculation as to who might be inducted into the Hall of Fame first, Mr. Miller said that is far from certain because the first step is getting the funding in place to make sure the project can even be completed. The money the district hopes to raise will cover materials and labor to transform the school’s front hallway into a tribute to those who have made Bridgehampton proud.

Donors who contribute to the Kickstarter project will receive rewards in return, such as a Bridgehampton School bumper sticker, front-row tickets to a Killer Bees basketball game, a school sweatshirt, and more. A Kickstarter campaign is an all-or-nothing process, meaning Bridgehampton will have 45 days to meet its goal and if it does not do so, it will not receive any of the donations pledged by the campaign’s backers.

“It’s going to be exciting, but I’m also going to be really nervous. . . . That’s why we have to get the message out,” Mr. Miller said.

Those wishing to learn more about the campaign can go to kickstarter.com and search “Bridgehampton School," or click here.