Many high school athletes undoubtedly dream of becoming professional athletes, or at least reaching the big-time college level of competition. Statistically, few make it.

Even so, some people have the extraordinary opportunity to still be involved with major college and professional sports— not as athletes, but as observers and commentators. They’re living the dream and getting paid to do it.

Just a little more than six decades ago, George Maderos sat on the bench in City College of San Francisco’s gymnasium.

“How’s your ankle?” asked his coach, Al Schlueter.

“Which ankle?” Maderos responded with a grin.

On paper, it figured to be a mismatch of such huge proportions that most people involved probably pondered the need to play the game at all.

Though it was impossible to predict at the time, losing a singles match as a freshman turned out to be a pivotal moment for Matt Lucena.

It was the spring of 1985 and Lucena wasn’t even a student at Chico High School – rather, he was a ninth-grader at Chico Junior but standing tall among competitors who were typically juniors and seniors.

The students and teachers at your alma mater need your help now and in the future!  The importance and value of education have never been more crucial for our youth and for the future of our country. 

While it may seem overwhelming to change the national, state or even local systems of education, you can positively influence one school , one teacher, or one student at a place that matters to all of us... Chico High School (CHS)!