Marble Falls Athletic Booster Club begins membership drive for new sports year

The Noah Backboard system was simply the latest technology purchase made by the Marble Falls Athletic Booster Club for the Marble Falls Independent School District’s basketball programs.

That’s because the club had already bought Hudl cameras for Mustang Stadium, Max Copeland Gym and Scearce Softball and Baseball Fields.

But none of that, according to MFABC president Jenni Mattox, would have been possible if not for a community that backs the Mustangs and Lady Mustangs with more than its attendance to ball games.

Mattox noted the views of the camera for volleyball had to be different from the one for basketball. And a portable Hudl camera also was purchased “so that teams can take it with them to stream or for coaches to watch,” she said.

“From what I heard, girls soccer used that the most,” she said. “They can put that view right on the field so when you go play an opponent, if they don’t have the camera, we got one.”

The ability to stream contests is important for several reasons. Top of the list are the players’ parents who are traveling for work and can’t always make a contest. Now they can stream the matches.

And all of that comes with a cost of $21,000 that includes the complete suite.

In addition, the club also bought a system that allows strength and conditioning coordinator Karl “Beef” Bielfeldt to track the gains, maxes, percentages and other data of each athlete in the weight room and bought the Neptune Game Time subscription, which is a “customized radio station” experience made specifically for the Mustangs and Lady Mustangs.

No area illustrates how the athletic department and the booster club sees eye to eye more than technology. Assistant athletic director John Berkman credited the booster club for its commitment to providing the technology for the teams, while Mattox praised the coaches asking for better technology.

“It’s really the coaches who are serious about it,” she said. “We’re making things better for the athletes because the coaches are the ones coming and asking for it.”

And to continue that upward trend, she added, takes community members who are willing to join the club. Michelle Boshears is in charge of memberships again.

“We have done such a great job in the community of becoming members that we raised close to $60,000 last year in memberships,” Mattox said. “Which then allows us to be able to invest in the technology that the coaches are wanting and needing.”

Memberships for families is $50 for the year, while bronze membership is $200. Silver membership is $400, gold membership is $700, platinum membership is $1,000, and legacy platinum membership is $1,250.

Each membership includes specific benefits that are listed at MFMustangs.org and individuals can sign up there.

“We’re going all digital now,” the president said. “We’re trying to make it easier for members to have a one-stop shop place where they can do everything instead of getting hit up by so many different people all the time.”

One of the big additions is the new digital scoreboard at Mustang Stadium that was ready for the 2026 graduation. This year platinum and legacy platinum members will have digital spots on the scoreboard.

“We’re going to not be limited, because previously we were limited on space,” Mattox said.

In all, the club raised close to $140,000 last year and were able to give more than $14,000 in scholarships to senior athletes. Mattox made it clear the club is aiming to do even more this year.