Larry C. Tripplett Court Christened

Before scores of friends and family, East Palo Alto business leader and philanthropist Larry Tripplett participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony to inaugurate the Larry C. Tripplett Court at Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula's East Palo Alto clubhouse, the evening of January 9, 2014.

"I'm just in awe, because this is a dream come true," Tripplett said. "Many times when you get something named after you, you're not still on the planet. I am so fortunate to still be here to see my name and see the great work that they do."

The event started with Tripplett, a former Board Member for Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula (BGCP), entering the gym through parallel high-five lines filled with BGCP youth basketball players. Golden State Warriors announcer Bob Fitzgerald led a ceremonial tip-off of a game between the BGCP players and later presented Tripplett with a number 35 Warriors jersey in honor of the 35 years since Tripplett opened East Palo Alto's first McDonald's location.

Other speakers and presenters included BGCP CEO Jenny Obiaya, as well as Tripplett's son, also named Larry, and two of the honoree's grandchildren. East Palo Alto Mayor Antonio Lopez and Councilmember Lisa Gauthier presented a proclamation honoring Tripplett's decades of service in East Palo Alto and beyond, including his work with Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Soon after the ceremony, sneakers resumed squeaking as youth continued their games on the new Larry C. Tripplett Court in apt tribute to the court's namesake.