The ETHS Boosters is an all-parent/guardian volunteer organization that encourages and promotes all extracurricular activities at ETHS. We are one of the few Booster Clubs in the Central Suburban League that supports all extracurriculars – music, fine arts and clubs, in addition to sports.
Each year, the Crystal ‘E’ Award solicits nominations from students and parents/guardians to recognize an ETHS staff member who runs an extracurricular activity and makes an extraordinary impact. Thank you to everyone who has nominated an extraordinary ETHS teacher, coach or staff member!
Crystal E Award winner for 2024-2025: Girls Bowling Coach “Sugar” Ray Austin
The ETHS Girls Bowling Team was shaped time and again under the leadership of Coach “Sugar” Ray Austin, who served as head coach for 16 years. His dedication to making bowling a fun, social, and welcoming sport allowed the program to flourish. More than a coach, he was a mentor, champion, and guide for each team member, helping each athlete grow into the best version of themselves—both on and off the lanes. He challenged, supported, and celebrated his team, always making every bowler feel valued and important. Coach Austin led by example, modeling integrity, passion, and compassion in ways that extended far beyond the sport. His enthusiasm was contagious, and it became the foundation of the team’s bond and success over the years. With his retirement at the end of the 2024-2025 school year, this award comes at the perfect moment—a well- deserved recognition of a coach whose impact will be felt for years to come.
“Coach Sugar has created such an amazing safe space for everyone on the team. He truly loves the sport and the team and it shows in his work. He makes sure that we’re doing well in class, even on the off season. He has made going to practice fun, and he’s super supportive of us, no matter what. I’m so grateful to have had him as my coach.”
“Coach Sugar Ray always kept the team motivated. He is very caring and focused on the girls strengths. Sugar led the team to state two consecutive years in a row and they had their best finish ever this past year. He went above and beyond to make everyone on the team feel important.”
Congratulations Coach Sugar! Thank you for all you do for the ETHS Widkits.
Past Crystal ‘E’ Award Winners:
- 2024 Coach Luciana Ruiz
- 2023 Keith Holtzmuller
- 2022 Fenton Gunter
- 2021 Tom Fodor
- 2020 Gedeon Yitref
- 2019 Andrew Miner
- 2018 Matt Bufis
- 2017 Jennifer Weber
- 2016 Jeff Hannah
- 2015 Matt Moran
- 2014 Pam McPherson
- 2014 Kiril Mirintchev
- 2013 Tom Doan