Endowment honors Coach Fred Pennington

Before this area had grown large enough for four public high schools, there was Lakeview High School, and it served all of West Orange County until 1976. The nearest high school was Evans to the east. Many local residents were students at Evans in the 1950s and 1960s and remember basketball Coach Fred Pennington and Principal John Pitts.

The two were honored earlier this year during a luncheon at West Orange Country Club. Attendees included U.S. Rep. Dan Webster, who graduated in 1967; former state Rep. Dick Batchelor, a 1966 graduate; Orange County Public Schools superintendents Don Shaw and Dee Parsons, both of whom taught at Evans in the 1960s; and Rudy Tapia, former Dr. Phillips High coach and principal.

“People got up and told awesome stories about what Coach Pennington, Mr. Pitts, Evans High School and Pine Hills had done for them while they were growing up,” said Clermont resident Russ Salerno, a 1961 graduate and one of the organizers of the event. “Both men became very emotional in knowing that all the people in the audience still cared and/or even remembered how both Coach and Mr. Pitts were so instrumental in shaping their lives.”

Another way former students and athletes are showing their appreciation is with a new Coach Fred Pennington Endowment, set up through the Systems Foundation Department of OCPS. One Evans supporter, who wants to remain anonymous, said he would donate $50,000 once the endowment was set up, and another said that if $50,000 more is raised for the endowment, he would match that amount.

About five one-year scholarships worth $1,000 each would be established each year for graduating Evans seniors who are male or female basketball players or cheerleaders, are from low-income families and desire to attend a technical/vocational school or college.

Donations can be made out to Foundation for Orange County Public Schools and mailed to Russ Salerno, 17417 Magnolia Island Blvd., Clermont, FL 34711. 

— Amy Quesinberry Rhode