You may remember Rick Perez as the Reading High School boys’ basketball coach that led the Red Knights to three state championships.
Now, he’s at the helm of a new team.
“You know, I wouldn’t necessarily call this work,” said Perez.
Perez is almost a month into his new role as CEO of the Olivet Boys and Girls Club, which helps thousands of kids every year by offering education support, after school programming and mentoring.
“The energy here at the Olivet Boys and Girls Club, it has been humbling to say the least,” Perez said.
Perez says he spent his childhood as a member of the club.
“I was here and for all those people who gave me the opportunity to be here, to learn and to grow, and, you know, the future CEOs, the future doctors, the future everything are here,” Perez said.
As for his goals in the new job…
“Well, in this role, it’s first of all to make sure we capture, you know, the light that is truly happening here,” Perez explained.
He says he also wants to be the number one Boys and Girls Club in America.
“You know, and it’s not about winning, you know that’s just because we’re expressing the most joy, we have the most love, you know we have the most intent with our kids,” said Perez.
“It has a special part in my heart because I know the avenues it creates,” Perez added.