Reitz Memorial Dedicates

Reitz Memorial High School formally dedicated the Robert M. Kent Athletic Center Jan. 31 at halftime of the Tiger boys’ 38-32 victory over cross-town Catholic rival Mater Dei.

Longtime WFIE-TV anchor Mike Blake opened the dedication ceremony by listing all of the organizations in the greater Evansville area that have been impacted by the generosity of the Kent family. “Most important, however,” Blake told a capacity crowd, “is Robbie’s love for and dedication to his alma mater … Memorial High School.” 

During the ceremony, Reitz Memorial President Brother Lawrence Murphy and Principal Cyndi Schneider presented Blake with framed artwork of the athletic center, which now bears his name. Kent greeted friends and family before the game in the new Memorial Athletic Hall of Fame, which is played a major role in creating.

He recognized and thanked many who worked with him over the years on various projects at Memorial, and he congratulated the Mater Dei fans in attendance for the passion they have for their school, and for the success of their recent capital campaign.

On both sides of the halftime festivities, the schools’ boys basketball teams played three quarters of nail-biting basketball before the Tigers pulled away in the final frame. Memorial opened with a strong run, but the visiting Wildcats battled back to claim the lead, 18-17, with a minute to play in the first half. 

Memorial outscored Mater Dei, 9-8, in the third quarter, tying the game, 26-26, with eight minutes left to play. The Tigers took control in the fourth quarter on the way to the six-point triumph.

Memorial senior Adam Eberhard and Mater Dei senior Jacob Stauber leds their respective teams in scoring with 10 points each. The victory moved the Tigers to 9-5 overall and 2-2 in Southern Indiana Athletic Conference action. Mater Dei dropped to 12-4, and 2-2 in the SIAC.