Community Captains

Community Captains

Under head coach Dan Heinrichs, the Upper Perk football team continues the tradition of our “Community Captain” recognition program to honor and recognize community members who have put the community before themselves and who serve the community of the Upper Perkiomen Valley with pride and continued efforts to keep “the Valley” a great and safe place in which to reside.

Before the start of each home football game, the selected “Community Captain” walks onto the field alongside the football team’s player captains where they witness the coin toss. After the coin toss, the “Community Captains” remain at midfield while an announcement is made describing the individual’s contributions to the community as they are celebrated for their service to the Upper Perkiomen community and its residents.

The 2025 Community Captains are…

Mr. Pete Reigner
Pete graduated from Upper Perk in 1967 and played on the 1966 Bux-Mont League championship football team. He continues to be a loyal fan of UP football, attending home games and the yearly pep rally. In our community, he has spent a lifetime giving of himself as a volunteer while quietly setting the example for others, frequently bringing additional membership into the
organizations Pete has cared about so much. The impressive list of his volunteer efforts, spanning 38 years includes:
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, -The Gulack Foundation, Upper Perkiomen Valley Kiwanis Club Members, Schwenkfelder Library & Museum, Harleysville Savings Bank, United Way Campaign, Upper Hanover Twp Board of Supervisors, Upper Hanover Twp Planning Commission. The entire UP Valley is certainly grateful for Pete’s exemplary leadership and service.

Mr. Jim McFadden
Jim has lived a life of service in all walks of his life serving his country in the US Marines, his community as a police officer and chief, and UPSD as the first ever
School Resource Officer. Jim was born in Allentown as one of 11 siblings. He
served his country proudly with multiple stints in the Marine Corps and was a Quaketown Police Officer for 30 years, the last 20 as Chief. His impact in the Upper Perkiomen Valley began in 2007 when he was hired as UPSD’s first-ever School Resource Officer, a position Jim held with pride and enthusiasm for 14 years. Whether it was in the hallways, the cafeteria, directing traffic, or at school activities, Jim was not only the consummate leader of school safety, he was a consistent positive and supportive presence in the lives of the entire student body at UPHS, known for his simple and powerful message of “Keep Smiling.”

Mr. Tim McDermott
Representing Tim at the coin toss ceremony tonight is his daughter Brianna.
Tim served UPSD as an athletic announcer for 34 years until his untimely passing this past winter. Known simply as “The Voice” he was a familiar face to nearly every athlete and Upper Perk fan in town, not only lending his time and professional level talents to the Wrestling and Football programs, but also positively impacting the countless lives encountered along the way. Tim’s unique combination of skill and compassion always made Upper Perk student-athletes, staff, and spectators alike feel valued in very genuine ways. This year the football team wears a helmet sticker in Tim’s memory and a plaque has been hung in the Press Box celebrating his service and community impact.

Mr. Larry Roeder
Larry’s lifetime of service to the community includes a career as editor of the Town and Country Newspaper, a position he still holds, volunteering for three local fire companies, serving on Pennsburg Borough Council, and has been a contributing member of many other local organizations throughout the years.
Most notably on Larry’s impressive list of service endeavors is the 48 years he has dedicated in various roles with local volunteer fire departments. Starting at
Pennsburg Fire Company, then Milford Township, and ending his years of service with Green Lane FD. Across a half-century, Larry has led a life of exemplary service that has inspired many around him. As a firefighter leaving work, the dinner table, and holiday celebrations have been the norm – always choosing to put his community and neighbors first.