The name Brad Feeken stands alone in the Gretna community. His dedication in the classroom as a seventh-grade reading teacher at both Aspen Creek Middle School and Gretna Middle School with his decorated tenure as Head Basketball Coach for Gretna High School has echoed across the district.
“He coached me freshman, sophomore and some of junior year,” senior Grant Rice said. “He really instilled a culture of doing everything the right way. And he always used the words ‘sweeping the corners,’ like never skipping over the small things and always getting everything right to make sure you’re doing the things right to reach your bigger goals.”
The same attitude instilled in Rice by Feeken was shared with a great number of students stretching across his 25 years of service to Gretna Public Schools. Unfortunately, Feeken lost his fight with neuroendocrine cancer nearly a year ago, in December, which left a hole in the Gretna community.
Following his passing, the For Feek Forever Foundation was created by Feeken’s wife, Jenny Feeken, and their children to keep his memory alive.
“The overall goal of the foundation is to have a scholarship program for probably high school basketball seniors,” Jenny Feeken said. “Then also just put the money back into the reading programs for the Gretna Public Schools as a way to kind of thank the community that was very loyal.”
Since 2022, the foundation has hosted the Hoops for Feek event to honor Feeken’s coaching career. However, this year the nonprofit has partnered with the Sarpy County Silent Book Club for the Read for Feek event at Heavy Brewing on Sunday, Nov. 10.
“It’s for people that like to read, but really like to socialize, and just talk about reading,” Jenny Feeken said. “These events will usually be at a venue where there’s food and beverages. The other thing about this event is it’ll be a cool way to get people together that loved Brad, and it’s a good healing thing to have those people together.”
In addition to bringing the Gretna Community together again, the silent book club event is aimed at honoring Feeken’s time in the classroom and his deep love for reading.
“We have gathered a collection of Brad’s favorite books for everyone to enjoy,” Sarpy County Silent Book Club representative, Molly Boukal said. “With 25 years of experience as a seventh-grade reading teacher and 21 years as the Head Varsity Basketball Coach at Gretna High School, Brad’s recommendations are shaped from his middle school teaching and coaching philosophies.”
While some students struggled to love books like Feeken, he made it his mission to get his students to enjoy reading by finding the right books for them.
“I remember he would say something, like, ‘a student’s ability to read is a critical predictor of lifelong success,’” Jenny Feeken said. “He was very passionate about getting kids to love reading, and get kids involved.”
Piggybacking off of Feeken’s aspiration of instilling students with a love for reading, the Sarpy County Silent Book Club will offer various modes of literature for attendees to consume.
“We will encourage everyone to read a physical book or listen to an audiobook of their choice,” Boukal said. “Our Silent Book Club Sarpy – Nebraska promotes reading for enjoyment, and we do not assign specific titles, we understand that everyone’s tastes are unique. Reading is a valuable form of self-care, whether you’re exploring a new topic, diving into literary fiction, or enjoying articles from your favorite magazine. You get to choose what resonates with you.”
The reading event at Heavy Brewing will be divided into three sessions: two family sessions from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm and an adult session from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
“The adult session is 21 and older,” Jenny Feeken said. “The family session, you’re going to have little kids that aren’t even in school yet, elementary, middle and high school.”
Members of the Gretna community planning to attend must purchase tickets in advance for $10 each on the For Feek Forever Foundation’s website. In addition to ticket sales, the foundation will also be selling merchandise online as an extended way to donate to the nonprofit.
“The support that we’ve had the past couple years has been amazing and you don’t get that everywhere,” Jenny Feeken said.
