More than 18 million people in the United States deal with cancer every single day without a cure. Many people, like Brad Feeken, end up losing their battle to cancer. But Feeken was more than just a name; he was a coach, a dad, a father figure to others and an inspiration to the whole Gretna community.
Feeken, known as Feek to many, coached basketball for 21 years at Gretna High School alongside current head coach Bill Heard. After Feeken passed away, many wanted to keep his legacy going and his name in the system. The “4Feek” basketball tournament started as a 3-on-3 when Brad Feeken was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer in 2022. This year’s tournmant took place on Jan. 3.
“[It’s] a way to give back to him in a small way for everything he’s done in our community,” former GHS student Landon Pokorski said. “We’ve since 2022 expanded to also having a high school basketball event and a Read for Feek event.”
With the event happening every year and there being 120-plus high school basketball teams last year, Porkorski said this year was the most teams they have had yet. Benefits from this event help to provide funding for library needs, scholarships for students, and the “4 Feek” foundation. The Four Feek Forever Foundation is a nonprofit 501 charity that gives back in honor of Feeken.
With that, the “4feek” tournament has raised over $15,000 just off teams alone, not including other fundraisers such as Read for Feek, and the 3-on 3 tournament.. They raised money for the “4 Feek” is a huge resource for grants to public libraries.
As someone who knew Feeken personally, his college roommate and best friend in Gretna, Heard, spoke highly of Feeken and has frequently mentioned his selflessness. Heard said how things stuck with him after Feeken had passed on.
“There’s a lot,” Heard said. “Mostly gratitude for what we get to do every day.”
Feeken was an asset to the Gretna High School boys basketball team, but also was such a character throughout the Gretna schools. He made students feel seen and heard, especially while being a seventh grade reading teacher.
“Feek to me was like a second dad, one of the strongest and most impactful men I’ve had in my life,” Pokorski said. “He was more than just a basketball coach and teacher to me.”
Pokorski also said he has enjoyed seeing the tournament grow throughout the years it has been held.
“My favorite part is seeing a full gym of people supporting and honoring Feek’s legacy,” Pokorski said. “I also love being a part of the hard work our team puts in voluntarily to make it happen.”
Heard said that working under Feeken was one of the highlights of his job, and not only that, but how Feeken built the program after 21 years, which tells the beautiful story of the thought of people keeping his name circling throughout the community
“It was his program,” Heard said. “He inherited it when it was not very good and built it into a consistent contender. Our basketball program was built on certain ideals. Essentially, it’s about doing the right thing. This was more important than winning or losing.”
Even though Feeken is not here anymore, his legacy is still shining through on the court, in the classrooms and in the community.
“I am saved,” Feeken wrote on his website. “I am either down here with the ones I love, fighting every day and giving it my best fight. Or I am up in heaven watching you and all the ones I love.”
