A Tamaqua native recently purchased new backboards for the basketball court at the borough’s Bungalow Park.

And now, Robert “Rob” Hollenbach is putting the ball in other courts — hoping that community members will do the same at different Tamaqua parks and playgrounds.

“It’s something simple that I wanted to do to hopefully give some kids a better chance — maybe they’ll start playing basketball more,” he said. “I’m not saying they’re going to be NBA players, but if it leads to better experiences and helps them get some places they want to go, then that’s a good thing.”

Hollenbach, who now lives in Maine, said basketball helped shape his life.

A 1989 Tamaqua Area High School graduate, he could often be found on the court.

“We grew up playing basketball at the Bungalow,” he said. “It was such a formidable experience for me that I felt like I wanted to have other kids think about it in the same way.”

Hollenbach credits the sport for helping him forge some of his best friendships, and making him the person that he is today.

“I think growing up playing basketball teaches you lessons,” he said. “You learn about camaraderie and collaboration.”

As a junior high student, he recalled being invited to play basketball with older students like 1984 Tamaqua graduate and basketball legend Eddie Titus.

“It was amazing to get to play with him,” Hollenbach said, noting that he and his peers idolized Titus.

“And then eventually you get to transfer it, where you get to mentor younger guys like Damian Fritz, who’s been a coach in the area; Joe Ligenza, whose son Mason was just drafted by the Dodgers; Brad Novey and Mark Henry. It was good to mentor with those guys even before we knew what mentoring was.”

He recalled sharing his love of the game with Tamaqua Area School District Superintendent Ray Kinder, Dr. Sean McLaughlin, Mike Behr and Gary Anderson.

In his return visits home, he’d often stop by Bungalow Park and notice that the courts weren’t the same.

“I wanted to make it better by putting glass backboards up,” Hollenbach said. “Even though I left, I wanted to do something that is meaningful to people here. And I felt the urge to do more seeing what people like my cousin, Jay Hollenbach, and Eric Zizelmann do for the town every day.”

He considered making the donations anonymously. But after some thinking, he changed his mind.

“I wanted to see if I could inspire someone else to say, ‘There are other courts in town,’ ” and I’d love for someone else to pick it up and say, ‘Hey, that’s a great idea. I’m going to do another park in town,’ ” he said.

Hollenbach played point and shooting guard while in high school, then played for Albright College. He’s now vice president of Idexx Laboratories in Westbrook, Maine, and was the guest speaker at Tamaqua Area High School’s 2023 commencement.

Tamaqua Councilwoman Mary Linkevich said the borough appreciates Hollenbach’s gift.

“Rob grew up in Tamaqua, and although he no longer lives here, he’s proud to call it his hometown,” she said. “He is an example of someone who sees a need and addresses it, not for any recognition, but because he loves basketball and wants the kids today to have the same experiences he had.”

Linkevich, who chairs council’s Recreation and Youth Committee, said the borough is grateful to Hollenbach and the many others who “take pride in their community and support it with their time, energy and special gifts like this.”

“I know what Tamaqua gave me and I wanted others to have the same experience,” Hollenbach said.

He’s hoping that on his next visit, he will have inspired someone to replace the backboards at the Washington Street courts.