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In February, 2005,
the Richmond High School boys soccer team played Monte Vista
High School of Danville, in the first round of the North Coast
Section post-season playoffs. Richmond was the undefeated, number
one seed and Monte Vista the number eight, and lowest, seed.
In a game in which Richmond dominated the action on its home
field, which was muddy and in poor condition, Monte Vista scored
a lucky goal and ended up pulling off a surprising upset, winning
1-0.
The Richmond players and fans were stunned and frustrated. Monte
Vista was afraid of what the local fans’ reaction might be and
knew of the bad reputation of the City of Richmond. The Monte
Vista team huddled closely together and formed a convoy to leave
the field to make their way to the darkened parking lot. As
the Monte Vista team left the field, the Richmond players and
fans formed a tunnel and cheered the Monte Vista team for its
effort in the game and wished them luck in the next round of
the playoffs. The Monte Vista coach, Fred Wilson, and many of
the Monte Vista parents and players, commented that they had
never seen such an admirable, unexpected and heartfelt display
of sportsmanship. The first-class response of the Richmond team
and its supporters is a testament to the class, values and positive
attitude that the Richmond coaches have instilled in their players
and the soccer program.
 When Brad Blake, a soccer coach for a girls club team in Danville
and a girls soccer coach at Monte Vista, and some of the parents
from the club soccer team he coached learned of this remarkable
display by the Richmond team, they decided that instead of providing
an end of the season gift to Brad and his assistant coach from
their club team, they would make a donation to the Richmond
High School girls soccer program as a demonstration of their
recognition of the sportsmanship displayed by the Richmond boys
program. Brad, his assistant coach, and some of the parents
presented a $2,000 check to the Richmond coach at a school board
meeting that May. The coach, board and those attending the meeting
were overwhelmed by the generosity and gave a standing ovation.
This helped Brad realize the dramatic impact a nominal amount
of money could have on this program, school and community.
At this meeting, Brad met the coach of the Richmond boys’ team,
Rene Siles, and began to learn more about the Richmond soccer
program, boys and girls. He was impressed with the passion,
dedication and values that Rene and his fellow coaches had instilled
in the Richmond players and teams. He talked to Rene about additional
ways to support the program. It became apparent that what the
Richmond program needed most, was not soccer equipment, but
was help with academic motivation, resources and creating an
organized program to help the soccer players succeed in the
classroom so that they could have the opportunity to qualify
for college. Few of the Richmond players attended, or even applied
for, college for myriad reasons.
The soccer players were given the training and resources to
help them succeed in soccer and had developed the work ethic
and commitment to excellence on the field, but they needed a
program to help them succeed in the classroom and realize there
were bigger opportunities beyond Richmond and soccer.
"College is Real" was
born.
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“College is Real” is a
program that provides education, motivation, resources and
support to the students who participate in the Richmond High
School boys and girls soccer program. The program focuses on
improving their academic performance, understanding of college
opportunities and ultimately helping them to attend college.
The program was created, and is sponsored, by Brad Blake
(Program Sponsor) and is run by the Program Director and
Leadership Team, which consists of key members of the soccer
coaching staffs, faculty and administration.
The program
is funded from private donations. The funds are used for:
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