RESERVE — If there is a measuring stick for the success of the St. John the Baptist Parish Recreation Department, perhaps it is to be found today when officials tip-off the start of the annual Biddy Basketball program with opening ceremonies to be held at 9 a.m. today at the Regala Gym in Reserve.

Kerry Watkins, who took over as director of the program nearly one year ago, said roughly 250 youngsters ages 5 to 12 are signed up to participate in this year’s program, up from 140 last year.

“It’s a huge increase,” said Watkins, the former East St. John standout athlete, who went on to star at Georgia Tech, then spent eight seasons in the Canadian Football League before returning home. “I’m real happy with those numbers.”

Watkins said the uptick is the result of a widespread community outreach to the local schools, churches and other athletic organizations.

“We’re trying to build relationships,” Watkins said. “This is a parish with a lot of private organizations that offer athletics. We’re trying to reach out to them and trying to build a relationship with them.”

St. John Councilman Marvin “Butch” Perrilloux also attributed the increased participation to a lowering of the fees parents have to pay to enroll their children in programs. The St. John Parish Council voted to decrease the fee from $35 to $15 this year.

“We lowered the fees to try and bring more kids into the program and keep them in the program,” Perrilloux said.

“Before the fees were kind of high and not everyone could afford the fees. This will enable more children to enroll and have something to do.”

Perrilloux also said the department is moving forward much faster than he anticipated under Watkins’ direction.

“He’s doing a fantastic job,” Perrilloux said. “He has really opened that recreation department up.”

Watkins will help host today’s opening ceremonies, which will begin with an address by Parish President Natalie Robottom. The rest of the day will be wall-to-wall basketball with all teams playing their first games of the season.

While Watkins said he is thrilled with the increase in participation for the children, he is presented with another problem.

“I don’t have enough coaches,” he said. “We could have more kids if I had more coaches.”

Anyone wishing to volunteer may call Kerry Watkins or Michael Sanders at 985-652-9569. For more information visit the St. John Recreation web site at sjbparish.com/parks_index.php.

By Lori Lyons