Fellow Piedmont High School Class of 2020 and tennis team members Emily Becker and Nicholas Lalli have teamed up to create this spring’s Corey’s Court Challenger, a fundraising round robin doubles tennis tournament on Sunday, April 28th, to support the upcoming renovation and rededication of the Recreation Center tennis courts to honor Corey Reich.
The entire community is invited to take part in the tournament where registrants will be randomly assigned a PHS tennis team doubles partner for each of four sets. Players with the best individual scores will receive prizes, and everyone will be treated to music, food, and a special exhibition match featuring a professional or collegiate player.
“Our class wanted to donate to the new Corey Reich Tennis Center,” said Becker and Lalli. “This tournament idea was our way of bringing everyone together with Corey for a great celebration. Even if you’re not a tennis player, you can support this event, come out and watch some great tennis, and join in the fun.”
Corey Reich, a 2004 graduate of Piedmont High School, was a member of the Men’s Varsity Tennis Team. In 2007 while at Middlebury College, he was diagnosed with ALS. After graduating from Middlebury with honors in 2008, Corey returned to Piedmont and has served as the Assistant Coach for the Piedmont High School Men’s and Women’s Varsity Tennis teams ever since. Corey is a powerful and inspirational coaching presence every day of these teams’ seasons. He has been instrumental in the continued success of the PHS tennis program, whose men’s and women’s programs have been the only ones to qualify every year for the NCS Team Championships since its inception in 1998-99.
PHS tennis team coaches Jim Landes and Corey Reich will be in attendance at the tournament, and event donations will support the renovation work spearheaded by the City of Piedmont. Proceeds will also enable the PHS Class of 2020 to fund a commemorative medallion at the site once construction concludes this summer.
To register for Corey’s Court Challenger scheduled for Sunday, April 28th, from 1-5pm at the Recreation Center Tennis Courts, (1) donate the suggested $50 for the “Class of 2020 Round Robin Registration” at www.prfo.org/donate and then (2) email PHS tennis coach Jim Landes at jimlandes@gmail.com with your name and affiliation (PHS player or community member). Please reference “Class of 2020″ in your email subject line to Coach Landes. If you’d prefer to donate by check, simply bring a $50 check payable to PRFO to the event on April 28th. Questions can also be directed to Emily Becker (emilyabecker1851@gmail.com) or Nick Lalli (lallin899@gmail.com).
The tennis court reimagining and renovation project includes resurfacing of the courts with a slipsheet overlay system, installation of new net posts and nets, installation of new fencing surrounding and new ball stop fencing between courts, as well as, drainage improvements at the west end of the complex.
With additional community support, renovations will expand to include installation of new bleachers for spectators and tennis court benches for players, installation of new LED lights, installation of a new drinking fountain with water bottle filler, and a permanent Wall of Champions to recognize winning teams and players from Piedmont High School tennis teams.
Interested in donating but can’t join for the tournament? No donation is too small, and interested community members can view project schematics and donate at www.prfo.org/corey. Fundraising will continue through May, and renovations are scheduled for Spring and Summer, 2019.
*Piedmont Recreational Facilities Organization (PRFO) is a 501(c)3 entity that encourages and actively supports the development and/or improvement of public recreational facilities that serve residents of Piedmont without regard to age, race, creed, gender, sexual orientation, or ability.
