In 2017, Richard Varney seized the opportunity to enter a sponsorship agreement with the Brewer Athletic Hall of Fame. Richard and Donna Corey Varney became our financial partners donating $2,000 in 2017 with subsequent yearly donations of $1,000 thereafter. In order to secure the Hall of Fame for generations, the Varney’s also generously bequeath $25,000 in their estate to the Brewer Athletic Hall of Fame.
Mr. Varney presented this benevolent gift of sponsorship, which included naming rights, as a birthday present to his wife, Donna. Richard Varney (Class of 1959) and Donna Corey (Class of 1961) met while students at Brewer High School and married soon after Donna's graduation. Both were Salutatorians of their respective classes. Richard played basketball for the Witches then coached by BHS Hall of Famer, Larry Mahaney while Donna was a football and basketball cheerleader. Donna's father and brother were inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016. Her father, Shirley "Slip" Corey was an outstanding three sport athlete and longtime little league coach and community advocate for youth athletics in Brewer. Her brother, Dana Corey, was an elite football and baseball player for the Witches and is still actively coaching at Brewer High School. Dana coached the Brewer Baseball Team to its first state championship title in school history in 2018.
The Hall of Fame is of significant importance to both Richard and Donna. Richard Varney stated at the time of the sponsorship agreement, "We are pleased to sponsor the BHS Athletic Hall of Fame…we feel that it is an appropriate way to honor the exceptional BHS student-athletes for their accomplishments."
This partnership ensures the financial stability of the Brewer Athletic Hall of Fame for decades to come and allows the Corey Varney's to leave a lasting legacy to the school they and their entire family love dearly.
