By Matthew Ball, Sports Editor

Ten years ago, the Zack Bacon Booster Club campaign raised nearly $180,000 to renovate the Reynolds football locker room. That 2005 fundraiser more than doubled the funding goal, and the extra money was used to establish the Zack H. Bacon IV Scholarship, awarded annually to a deserving RJR student-athlete.

In February of this year, Bacon, a 2006 Reynolds graduate, was inducted into the RJR Sports Hall of Fame for accumulating more varsity letters (15) than anyone in school history and being an enduring presence on campus and at sporting events to this day. Bacon and his family were tremendously honored by his induction and wanted to express their gratitude and appreciation toward the Reynolds community.

Mary Beth and Doug Cross, the impetuses behind the original fundraiser, approached Eve Bacon, Zack’s mother, with the idea to launch another campaign. She loved the idea and insisted that the 2015 fundraiser benefit current and future student-athletes who go to Reynolds. The Crosses are spearheading the upcoming fundraiser titled “Faster Higher Stronger” – three encouraging words chosen by Zack and his mom that are goals for RJR academics and athletics.

“Zack’s 30th birthday is May 10, so we decided to combine everything for what we hope will be another fabulous celebration and fundraiser for RJR athletics and scholarship,” Eve Bacon said.

The birthday celebration on Friday, May 8, is open to the whole RJR community and will be held in Bryson Gym at 8:30 p.m. The event will feature the popular local band Below the Line. A minimum donation of $5 is being collected at the door.

“Zack hopes everyone will come out and enjoy contributing to the school that means more to him than anything,” Eve said. “We look forward to a happy, entertaining and profitable event for ‘dear old Reynolds High.’ ”

The primary goal of the fundraiser is to refurbish the outdated weight room. Any residual funds will be used to double the current payout for the Zack Bacon Scholarship.

“Zack has had a big impact on (Reynolds) athletics,” Athletic Director Brad Fisher said. “Updating the weight room is an immediate benefit for all (Reynolds) sports. The current weight room is very old. We have had those squat racks for 12 to 15 years. It’s time for us to get some new equipment.”

Mary Beth Cross also appreciates Zack’s unending dedication to RJR.

“There is no student or staff member who has positively affected Reynolds High School more than Zack Bacon. His dedication to the school’s sports teams, his work ethic, his ability to connect with people of all ages is admirable and contagious,” Cross said. “It is important to honor him as he celebrates a milestone and … to thank him for the wonderful role he plays at Reynolds.”