Cpl. Kevin J. Reinhard METUCHEN — An upcoming event at St. Joseph High School will bring alumni of all ages back to their alma mater to honor the memory of a fellow graduate who lost his life serving in the military.
The Alumni Volleyball Game, set for 5 p.m. May 19 in the school gym, will be a fundraiser for the Cpl. Kevin Reinhard 2015 Memorial Scholarship.
“He was a great kid,” said Miguel Cabrita, longtime volleyball coach at St. Joseph. “There was nothing not to like about Kevin. … We just thought, ‘What better way to honor him than to have an alumni game?’ ”
Reinhard, a four-year volleyball player at the school and Colonia resident, was 25 years old when he was killed in 2012 in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan during his second deployment there, according to Cabrita.
A crew chief with the Marines, he had enlisted in 2008.
Since Reinhard’s death, the school community and the community at large have banded together to honor him through the scholarship fund. Through donations, golf outings, the N.J. Run for the Fallen and other events, the Cpl. Kevin James Reinhard, USMC Memorial Scholarship Fund has been dedicated to helping support wounded veterans, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and students at St. Joseph who need tuition help.
“His family has really been the frontrunners in putting all these things together,” Cabrita said of Reinhard’s mother and father, Kathleen Rose and James, along with his sister, Kathleen Marie.
And while this is the first official volleyball game in Reinhard’s honor, players on the team honored him with a game in the first year of his passing, Cabrita said.
“It was a pretty emotional day for everybody,” he said.
St. Joe’s played Colonia High School, and players wore shirts in Reinhard’s memory. They also presented his mother with her son’s framed jersey.
“It was totally emotional,” said John Regan, who, along with his wife, Ann Marie, is helping to promote the event. “Each kid from St. Joe’s went over and hugged his mother.”
Such a show of love is a reflection of what Reinhard gave to his fellow volleyball players, according to Cabrita. A true leader, Reinhard was always full of energy and good humor to help motivate his teammates, he said.
“If someone was dragging behind, he would be the first one to encourage them,” Cabrita said.
Team mom and organizer Donna Rafano said her alumni volleyball-playing sons — Andrew and Bryan Rafano, 2011 and 2013 graduates, respectively — will be there with bells on.
“They’re so excited to come back and do something for the school,” she said. “He’s their fallen Falcon, so that means a lot to them.”
Both Rafano and John Regan praised Cabrita as a coach and mentor, pointing out the stellar players that have emerged from under his wing.
“I think a lot of them are going to be back,” Regan said of the alumni. “They’re a really close group.”
According to Regan, he has helped produce about 20 NCAA volleyball players. In addition, his team has won the state championships on several occasions.
“They’re always one of the top teams in Middlesex County,” he said.
The Regans have an alumni player of their own — nephew Phil Bueno, who was on the team for four years. Bueno also happens to be the nephew of Woodbridge Mayor John Mc- Cormac, who will be at the game to cheer on the players and honor Reinhard.
“There’s been a lot of fundraisers for his scholarship fund, and it’s great that his teammates and alumni from the school are continuing to honor his memory,” McCormac said. “It’s pretty cool. The fact that the kids are involved is what really makes it special.”
According to Regan, fellow veterans are expected, as well.
The alumni game will follow the varsity team’s state game, which kicks off at 4 p.m. Cabrita said the fundraising fun will incorporate four teams that will crossplay one another.
“We’re talking at least 23 years of volleyball alumni,” he said, adding that all players will receive a T-shirt. “It’s just fun.”
Rafano echoed his sentiments, saying she expects a great time.
“When St. Joe’s comes together to do something, they put everything into it,” she said. “They gave so much to our kids, so we always want to give back. We want to help remember this great kid.”
Donations will be accepted at the game, and T-shirts and refreshments will be sold for the fund.
St. Joseph High School is at 145 Plainfield Ave., Metuchen.