Men’s basketball Head Coach Eric Reveno’s involvement with The Bald Faced Truth Foundation is just the latest in a long history of Pilot charity work
Men’s basketball Head Coach Eric Reveno enjoys a bowl-a-thon at Big Al’s in Beaverton with The Oregonian sports columnist and radio personality John Canzano. Canzano is the co-founder of The Bald Faced Truth Foundation. (Photograph courtesy of The Bald Faced Truth Foundation)
By Taylor Tobin Staff Writer tobint16@up.edu
UP athletes support their community by volunteering their time and talents that are not always seen on the field or court to help out local charities.
On Feb. 23, men's basketball Head Coach Eric Reveno participated in a celebrity bowl-a-thon charity event to raise money for The Bald Faced Truth Foundation, a non-profit aimed to support local kids in art, music, education and athletics.
"John Canzano [co-founder of the foundation and columnist for The Oregonian] has sports programs for youth, and I've always followed them, whether it's being supportive on Twitter or talking about it at events," Reveno said.
Local companies donated money for kids to attend the bowl-a-thon and meet celebrities. Reveno says the opportunity was great for kids who might not have otherwise had the opportunity.
"The best thing about it for me was all the different spectrums of the Portland community coming out to help," Reveno said.
Along with Reveno were local newscasters, play-by-play Portland Trail Blazers radio announcer Brian Wheeler and Portland Timbers owner Merritt Paulson.
Reveno adds that the UP community is one that demonstrates great service, like the city of Portland.
"I believe the University of Portland does a great job of teaching the motto of great service. I see it all over campus," Reveno said. "There is a good environment among athletics too. A lot of it goes really quietly."
The men's basketball team also runs the basketball component of the annual Nike Special Olympics.
"The players do the work and it's really great. It's nice to get away and get the players involved," Reveno said. "I honestly think it's more beneficial for us as players and coaches to do that kind of thing than the participants. For our guys to help like that is really rewarding."
Reveno adds that although his team does good work in the community, women's soccer deserves a bigger applause.
"Soccer has a long tradition of community service, specifically a long relationship with the Ronald McDonald House. They've sponsored a room for several years now and they also volunteer their time over there," said Adam Linnman, director of sports information.
Women's soccer has also worked with Harper's Playground and Doernbecher Children's Hospital.
The women's basketball and volleyball teams also actively volunteer.
"Women's basketball works a lot with Playworks, an after school and in-school program that aims to keep kids active," said Jon Brooks, manager of athletics marketing & promotions.
