Royal Oak High Plans for Athletic Hall of Honor, New Conditioning Facility

Royal Oak High School and the Royal Oak School District are kicking off a Century Club March 19 to raise money for a Royal Oak High School Athletic Hall of Honor and state-of-the-art strength and conditioning facility.

The first Royal Oak High School began in 1913, one hundred years ago, thus the Century Club. The goal is to have 100 people commit $100 for three years to raise $30,000. 

At halftime of the Royal Oak High School's basketball game Feb. 1, Athletic Director Jim Cole presented a $1,000 to Interim Principal Jim Moll.

"All of the money raised will fund the two projects," Cole said. "The conditioning room will be for all sports, male and female athletes."

Honoring athletic success

The Century Club is the brainchild of Cole, who was named athletic director last August after former AD Brian Gordon left for Novi Community Schools. 

After the consolidation of Kimball and Dondero high schools in 2006, there was not a proper way to recognize athletic achievement, as there were stars from the former high schools but not many from the new Royal Oak High School. Now after seven years, the time to celebrate ROHS's athletic successes has arrived.

"Take a student like Ben Hill. He has won three state titles " Cole said. "There should be a picture of him somewhere in the school to serve as an inspiration to other students."

Campaign kickoff

The Century Club kickoff-event starts with a pizza dinner at Pasquale's 6:30 p.m. March 19. 

Former Central Michigan University football coach and 1956 Royal Oak grad, Herb Deromedi, will be the guest speaker.

If you are interested in attending, please call the ROHS athletic department at 248-435-8500, ext. 1045, or email colej@royaloakschools.com.

Donations can be made any time to Royal Oak Public Schools Century Club, and there are ways to help other than contributing financially.