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Corey Reich Tennis Center Fundraiser Tournament Planned for April 28th
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.
Community Supports Cory Reich Tennis Center Renovation Campaign
PIEDMONT, CA – The Piedmont resident and tennis communities are rallying around a fundraising campaign designed to support the renovation of the Recreation Center tennis courts and its planned rededication as the Corey Reich Tennis Center. Residents and tennis enthusiasts alike are excited about creating a tennis destination worthy of Piedmont’s winning tennis teams and storied coaches, such as Corey Reich himself.
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.
“We donated to the Corey Reich Tennis Center renovation project because Cory is one of the most inspirational people we know,” said Piedmont resident Diana Gleghorn. “He has given hours, days, and years to the tennis program at Piedmont and it seems obvious that the tennis center should bear his name. It is the least we can do as a community to recognize the dedication and hard work of this exceptional person.”
“We chose to contribute to honor the outstanding contribution that Corey has made to Piedmont tennis,” said Maria Carson Breber. “His dedication to his players shows up in so many ways – from his amazing knowledge of every possible tennis rule to the way he stays up-to-date on each team in the league to the coaching he provides during matches. Not only is he a wonderful coach, he is also a wonderful person. We are so lucky to have him be a part of Piedmont tennis.”
Former PHS Varsity tennis coach Neil Rothenberg noted with pride that PHS Tennis teams and Corey have had a dynamic run together, racking up an impressive total of 10 NCS championships.
The tennis court reimagining and renovation project is being spearheaded by Piedmont Recreation Department director Sara Lillevand, who shared that the City’s currently scoped improvements including 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.
No donation is too small, and interested community members can view more information on the renovation and donation opportunities at www.prfo.org/corey.
Fundraising will continue through May, and renovations are scheduled for Spring and Summer, 2019.
Community Celebrates Corey Reich Tennis Center Renovation Fundraising Kickoff
PIEDMONT, CA – The Piedmont Recreational Facilities Organization (PRFO), in partnership with the City of Piedmont, kicked off the fundraising campaign for the renovation of the Recreation Center tennis courts with a community celebration on Thursday, January 31st. Hosted at the home of generous Piedmont residents Anja and Chris Hart, the gathering brought together residents and area tennis enthusiasts to honor decorated Piedmont High School Assistant Varsity tennis coach Corey Reich and to learn about renovation plans to be rename the facility in his honor.
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.
At the celebration Thursday evening, PRFO, tennis and city leaders shared remarks about the project and thanked the supportive group for joining together to build upon city funding levels to enhance the facility and create a tennis destination worthy of Piedmont’s strong tennis community, championship teams and storied coaches
“These courts are the cornerstone in the center of our town,” noted PRFO president Steve Collins, “and PRFO is excited to lead this grassroots public/private partnership to fund their long overdue improvement.”
Piedmont Mayor and City Councilmember Bob McBain is also looking forward to working together with PRFO to continue addressing significant projects in town.
“This is what makes Piedmont truly special,” said McBain. “Corey has been such an inspirational leader, doing such important work in our community. It’s wonderful to see the interest in reciprocity – together we can do great things.”
Former PHS Varsity tennis coach Neil Rothenberg noted with pride that PHS Tennis teams and Corey have had a dynamic run together, racking up an impressive total of 10 NCS championships. Recent PHS Class of 2018 graduate and former Varsity team captain Rohan Srivastava agreed, sharing moving stories about the impact Corey has had on teammates over the years.
“Ultimately, what I think Corey does best,” Srivastava explained, “—with his passion for the game and his light-hearted sincerity, is that he inspires us to grow and develop into the best versions of ourselves. And
that—even more so than the fact that he’s the most decorated coach in Piedmont sports history—that is why there is truly no name more fitting for this project than the Corey Reich Tennis Center.”
The Vista Court reimagining and renovation project is being spearheaded by Piedmont Recreation Department director Sara Lillevand, who shared her excitement for the initiative.
“This project really charges my batteries,” said Lillevand. “This is an opportunity to improve a facility that needs it, and to make it worthy of our broad community, our successful high school team, and someone like Corey. It will look better of course, and it will feel like a place for a championship team to play.”
Lillevand shared the City’s currently scoped improvements including 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.
Patty Siskind of the Piedmont Beautification Foundation also shared her group’s support with long-term endowment to ensure that the work done now is maintained for generations.
Tennis enthusiasts and community members can view more information on the renovation and donation opportunities at www.prfo.org/corey.
Renovations are scheduled for Spring and Summer, 2019.
Photos courtesy of Julie Reichle.
Memorial Backstop Dedication Honors John Raymond Hege
In the midst of a downpour on the afternoon of Sunday, January 6th, the City of Piedmont, together with PRFO, hosted an emotional dedication to name the backstop at Hampton Park in honor of former Piedmont resident and fallen Oakland Police Department officer John Raymond Hege. More than 100 people including a large contingent of OPD Motorcycle officers braved the weather to honor Hege.
Comments and remarks were shared by Piedmont Vice Mayor Teddy Gray King, Assistant Chief of the Oakland Police Department Darren Allison, Oakland Police Officer Johnna Watson, PRFO President Steve Collins, Officer Hege’s mother, Tam Hege, and Piedmont Recreation Department Director Sara Lillevand. Piedmont Boy Scout Troop 15 led the color guard presentation and the Pledge of Allegiance. Officer Hege, an Eagle Scout, was an alumnus of Troop 15, and many of his fellow scouts were in attendance.
A Piedmont native and proud Oakland motorcycle officer, John Raymond Hege was killed in the line of duty in March, 2009, at the age of 41. He and another officer, Sergeant Mark Dunakin, were fatally shot during a traffic stop at 74th Avenue and MacArthur Boulevard in Oakland.
Prior to his 10-year law enforcement career, Mr. Hege served as a teacher, an umpire, and a coach. In addition to coaching football at Piedmont High School, he umpired hundreds of baseball games at Hampton Field. After graduating from St. Mary’s College in Moraga, California, Mr. Hege worked as a teacher in Hayward. In 1993, he joined the Oakland Police Department as a volunteer reserve police officer. The OPD hired Officer Hege as a full-time police officer in 1999, assigning him to the Bureau of Field Operations once he graduated from the Oakland Police Academy. After patrolling Oakland neighborhoods for 10 years, he fulfilled a lifelong dream with a transfer to the Traffic Operations Section and an assignment as motorcycle officer. Mr. Hege will be remembered as a caring friend, a devoted son, and a role model for his fellow officers.
Contributions to the John Raymond Hege Memorial Backstop can be made at www.prfo.org/donate/.
John Raymond Hege Memorial Backstop Dedication Planned for January 6, 2019
The City of Piedmont, together with PRFO, invites the entire community to attend the dedication of the John Raymond Hege Memorial Backstop at 1pm on January 6th, 2019, at Hampton Field. Remarks by the Oakland Police Department, the City of Piedmont, and PRFO will be accompanied by a flag presentation by the Piedmont Boy Scouts.
Piedmont native and Oakland police officer John Raymond Hege was killed in the line of duty in March, 2009, at the age of 41. He and another officer, Sergeant Mark Dunakin, were fatally shot during a traffic stop at 74th Avenue and MacArthur Boulevard in Oakland.
Prior to his 10-year law enforcement career, John served as a teacher, an umpire, and a coach. In addition to coaching football at Piedmont High School, John umpired hundreds of baseball games at Hampton Field. Raised and educated in the East Bay, Hege earned the distinction of Eagle Scout with Troop 15 in Piedmont. Hege’s mother Tam was actively involved in Piedmont with many volunteer roles including School Board member, Planning Commissioner, and President of the Piedmont League of Women Voters. Hege went on to graduate from St. Mary’s College in Moraga, California.
After college, Hege worked as a teacher in Hayward. In 1993, he joined the Oakland Police Department as a volunteer reserve police officer. The OPD hired Hege as a full-time police officer in 1999, assigning him to the Bureau of Field Operations once he graduated from the Oakland Police Academy. After patrolling Oakland neighborhoods for 10 years, Hege fulfilled a lifelong dream with a transfer to the Traffic Operations Section and an assignment as motorcycle officer.
Hege loved both his career and his hometown Raiders, and demonstrated his love for both by working overtime at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum during Raider home games. Friends and family were also important, and Hege was famous for planning parties, organizing trips and gathering people together. Selfless to the end, Hege’s organ donations saved the lives of four people and his tissue donation improved the lives of as many as 50 others. Hege will be remembered as a caring friend, a devoted son, and a role model for his fellow officers.
Contributions to the John Raymond Hege Memorial Backstop can be made at www.prfo.org/donate/.
November 25, 2018 – PRFO Convenes 2018-2019 Board, Plans Tennis Court Fundraising Drive
This fall, the Piedmont Recreational Facilities Organization (PRFO) welcomed their 2018-2019 Board with a gathering to align on objectives and initiatives for the coming year. PRFO is a group of Piedmont residents who work in collaborative public-private partnership with the City of Piedmont to promote recreation facilities and fields to meet community needs.
In 2017, PRFO supported the City by raising donations from Piedmont residents to help underwrite the comprehensive, $1.9 million overhaul of the Hampton Park facility. In total, the Piedmont community contributed more than $900,000 towards that renovation. To celebrate the incredible generosity of its donors, PRFO assisted the City in recognition of those who contributed through a variety of on-site acknowledgements and events.
This month, PRFO will launch its next fundraising campaign to support the City’s efforts to make major improvements and endow ongoing maintenance for the Recreation Center Tennis Courts. At their meeting on November 19th, the City Council voted unanimously to solicit bids for the resurfacing and renovation work, with construction planned for the spring and summer of 2019. Additionally, the Council approved a fundraising partnership with PRFO and the tennis community to rename the courts the Corey Reich Tennis Center. This fundraising partnership has set a long-term goal of raising at least $300,000 to fund court improvements and decades of maintenance.
Piedmont’s supportive community has been crucial to efforts like Hampton Park, and will be key to the success of the tennis court renovation project. PRFO donors and Piedmont residents like Claudia and James Harrison give back to Piedmont in many ways, and have provided financial support to improvement projects in recent years. Like many other families, they moved to Piedmont for the schools. But once they arrived, they realized there were so many more reasons to stay.
“It’s hard to encapsulate the sense of community in our town,” said Claudia Harrison. “The devotion of our residents to our town and our public spaces makes it a unique place to live.”
“Given the overwhelming community support for Hampton by our neighbors, PRFO is looking forward to continuing its partnership with the City on the Recreation Center Tennis Courts and all future capital campaigns,” said PRFO President Steve Collins. “We are working together so we can play together.”
To learn more about PRFO or to donate to upcoming improvement projects like the Recreation Center Tennis Courts, visit www.prfo.org.
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.
December 18, 2017 PRFO Presents City of Piedmont with $385,000 for Hampton Park
Piedmont Recreational Facilities Organization (PRFO) presented a $385,000 check to the City of Piedmont at the December 18th City Council meeting representing their final installment of support of the Hampton Park Improvement Project. PRFO is a group of Piedmont residents who work in a collaborative, public-private partnership with the City of Piedmont to promote healthy, recreational spaces in town.
Generous private donations from Piedmont residents facilitated by PRFO have helped underwrite the comprehensive, $1.9 million overhaul of the Hampton Park facility which was completed this fall. In total, the Piedmont community contributed a total of $820,124 toward the Hampton Park Improvement Project.
“The generosity of the Piedmont community in supporting the Hampton renovation was spectacular,” said PRFO former president Mark Menke. “This is a testimony to what makes Piedmont such a terrific place to live – people working together and giving their time and money to improve key city assets.”
Back in April, 2016, the City of Piedmont had been considering undertaking the Hampton Park renovation project in separate phases due to funding concerns, according to Piedmont City Administrator Paul Benoit.
“PRFO stepped up at that critical time and, adding to donations from the Piedmont Baseball Softball Foundation and the Piedmont Soccer Club, contributed $150,000 to support completion of the Hampton Park project in one single phase,” said Mr. Benoit. $303,254 in private donations were allocated to the construction budget when the Council approved the project. Subsequently, an additional sum of $516,870 was privately raised by the PRFO led campaign.
Completing the project in one phase minimized the impact on neighboring families, reduced overall project costs, shortened the project’s duration and minimized impacts on Piedmont Recreation Department and Piedmont youth sports clubs’ programming. The project was completed over the course of one year, in line with budget and timing expectations.
“I am looking forward to a continuing partnership with PRFO to continue our work and focus on making significant and lasting improvements to our existing recreational fields,” said Mr. Benoit.
October 29, 2017 PRFO Celebrates Hampton Park Donors
The Piedmont Recreational Facilities Organization (PRFO), hosted a festive gathering Sunday, October 29th to recognize the generosity of lead donors who supported the recent renovation of Piedmont’s Hampton Park. The PRFO is a group of Piedmont residents who work in a collaborative, public-private partnership with the City of Piedmont to promote healthy, recreational spaces in town.
The celebration kicked off with more than 100 people attending the dedication of the revamped Saperstein basketball courts at Hampton Park, made possible by Guy and Jeanine Saperstein’s $75,000 gift. Guests then moved to a private reception on the back lawn of Pam and Bob McBain’s home where they enjoyed refreshments and appreciative remarks. Over the past year, private donations to Hampton Park totaled more than $900,000 and consisted of gifts to PRFO, the Piedmont Beautification Foundation (PBF) and the City of Piedmont.
In coordination with PBF, the Bates family has also generously seeded an endowment fund for facility maintenance and improvement in honor of longtime Piedmont resident and founding member of PBF Nancy Witter Bates who passed away in 2016.
“In a great place to live like the Bay Area, Piedmont stands out because its citizens have consistently invested in new spaces that improve the quality of life,” said Mark Menke, former PRFO President.
“We are at a critical time in life of our city’s infrastructure,” said Piedmont Mayor Bob McBain. “By acting now, we can ensure that what we have will be accessible for future generations.”
Next time you visit Hampton Park, you may notice the on-site recognition for donors in the form of bronze plaques, named benches and trees, as well as engraved brick pavers.
“Community members still interested in supporting the renovation can make a tax-deductible donation at prfo.org/donate where there are a small number of personalized bricks available for purchase,” said Steve Collins, PRFO President. Inquiries regarding individual donations in excess of $10,000 can be directed to steve@prfo.org.
* 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.
March 25, 2017 We’ve reached over $850k in donations to Hampton Park!
Community backed fund reaches $850k in for Hampton Park
Foundry date moved to April 7 to accommodate recent donations
The recent ribbon cutting at Hampton Park ignited another surge in Piedmonter’s participation in the Hampton Park fund raising campaign– over $41,000 has come in since the Hampton ribbon cutting, and to top it off generous donation was made by the Bates Family, in honor of Nancy Witter Bates whose family donated the funds for Hampton Park. Just four months ago, PRFO, the community organization who works in a collaborative public-private partnership with the city to promote recreational spaces within the Piedmont, announced that they had helped raised $350,000 in private donations – that amount has now soared to over $850,000, nearly half of the project’s total cost.
Recognition for donors comes in the form of bronze plaques, named benches, and engraved bricks. The recent donation activity has caused the city to push back the delivery date for the specifications and artwork to the foundry making the recognition plaques to April 7th. “We generally don’t like delays,” said Piedmont Recreation Director Sara Lillevand. “But, this is one of those good delays. It means that those who have not had the opportunity to participate, still have a small window to join in.”
“In our ongoing fundraising efforts, there are many ways for everyone in the community to participate,” said Steve Collins, Treasurer for PRFO. “Anyone interested in helping with the program by recognizing family members who loved Piedmont recreational programs or the fun times their kids had playing at Hampton Park should visit the PRFO website at PRFO.ORG/DONATE.” Donation opportunities are available at all levels of support from $250 for a personalized brick, on up. For individual donations over $10,000, please contact PRFO Treasurer, Steve Collins directly at steve@prfo.org. All donations are tax deductible.
* 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.
PRFO strives to fulfill its mission by working collaboratively with the City of Piedmont to identify, advocate for, and bring private financial support to assist in the funding of projects that invest in healthy spaces within the city.
February 1, 2017 Hampton Park Renovation Pictures
With support from PRFO, the City of Piedmont is drawing near the end of the Hampton Park renovation. We are pleased to share its progress in the pictures below.
Photo Credit: Maddie Malan