The Rego Athletic Scholarship Fund and its founder, Kimberlee Roaden, were recognized for their commitment to local student-athletes during the Battle Ground City Council meeting on Monday, July 20, receiving the city’s monthly BiG Heart Citizen Recognition Award.
Mayor Eric Overholser highlighted the organization’s efforts to continue the legacy of late Union High School football coach and Battle Ground resident Mark Rego by investing in students who demonstrate character, perseverance and service rather than simply athletic achievement.
“Coach Rego was known across Clark County for his dedication to youth sports and his commitment to mentoring young people,” Overholser said. “He believed that sports were a powerful tool to teach students about character, hard work and responsibility.”
Established after Rego’s passing in 2018, the scholarship fund has awarded more than $375,000 to 233 student-athletes in the Battle Ground and Evergreen school districts since 2019, helping graduates pursue college or vocational training.
“What makes this fund unique is its focus,” Overholser said. “These scholarships do not just go to the top scorers on the team but they are awarded to student athletes who exhibit true grit, hard work and a dedication to helping others.”
The mayor also recognized Roaden, Rego’s widow and the scholarship fund’s founder and program coordinator, for building the organization and keeping its mission alive.
“Following her loss, Kimberly refused to let his bright light fade,” Overholser said. “She stepped forward as the founder and program coordinator to help build this organization from the ground up keeping the community united behind its mission and directly supporting the board’s vital work with our local schools.”
Roaden said receiving the award was an emotional reminder that the organization’s work is making a difference.
“It was pretty humbling because the Rego Athletic Scholarship Fund was funded and started because of kids in high school, and we wanted them to make sure that they got to go to college and learn fundamentals,” Roaden said. “And to be honored that we are helping kids in Battle Ground is fantastic. It just makes us happy.”
During the council meeting, Roaden also highlighted the Battle Ground Public Schools’ ongoing funding challenges following the failure of the district’s educational programs and operations levy. She announced the scholarship board plans to meet with district officials about helping preserve sports programs facing cuts like golf, swimming, gymnastics and bowling.
“The sports that don’t get a lot of attention, but they’re important,” she said. “Every sport is important. It teaches kids character. It teaches kids responsibility, teamwork and camaraderie.”
Roaden added that supporting every athletic program, regardless of its popularity, remains central to the scholarship fund’s mission.
Last year, Roaden said the organization awarded 47 scholarships totaling more than $35,000 last year. Looking ahead, Roaden said the nonprofit plans to continue focusing on fundraising while encouraging residents to become involved with local youth.
To learn more about the Rego Athletic Scholarship Fund, visit regoscholarship.com.
At the end of the awards presentation, Overholser highlighted the need for monthly BiG Heart award nominations. To learn more about the citizen recognition program and to nominate, visit cityofbg.org/1099/BiG-Heart-Citizen-Recognition-Program.
