Ron Freeman Aquatics Center Unveiling on Friday

Ever since his death in January, remembrances of were mostly in the heart and mind. On Friday, will make certain that his memory is a permanent fixture at the school, when the school’s aquatic center is renamed in his honor.

At 3:30 p.m. during a brief ceremony, school and Fremont Union School District officials will unveil a plaque that reads Ron Freeman Aquatics Center, to honor the school’s longtime athletic director and teacher.

Freeman, who died after a school basketball game, coached water sports for three decades at the school where he was once a student.

He’s known for starting the first girls water polo team at the school and led both the boys and girls teams to several league and section championships.

Among his water sports accolades, the 52-year-old Freeman was also involved in the USA Water Polo Olympic Development Program, De Anza Water Polo Club, De Anza-Cupertino Aquatics program and the U.S. Junior Olympics.

Freeman was found out to be the “Secret Santa” of many families who for years didn’t know just who was leaving boxes of wrapped gifts on their doorsteps on Christmas morning.

Friday’s ceremony will be in the aquatics center at the school, at 21840 McClellan Rd.