John “Jack” Rogers Jr. was a basketball coach, mentor, and lifetime Vermont resident. A three-sport athlete who graduated from West Rutland High School in 1986, Jack received a full academic scholarship to attend the University of Vermont. He received a degree in history and shortly after entered the real estate appraisal business, which together with coaching became a lifelong vocation.

Jack impacted the lives of thousands of basketball players over the course of his coaching career, which began at his own West Rutland High school, where he won the 1995 Division IV Vermont State Championship. It continued at Rutland High School with the junior varsity where he accrued a 79-game win streak over four years, contributing to the program's renewed success. His next coaching role was at Mill River Union High School, back at the varisty level, where he set the school record for most consecutive wins in a season and was twice named Vermont Basketball Coaches Association Division II Coach of the Year. In addition to his high school activity, Jack dedicated countless hours to organizing and leading the Rutland Bandits AAU Basketball Program, among the largest programs in the state at the time, earning dozens of Vermont State Championships. He mentored and inspired everyone around him and built communities and relationships that will stand the test of time.

When Jack died unexpectedly in June of 2020, the support from the community was overwhelming. This foundation, started in his honor, quickly amassed hundreds of donations totaling tens of thousands of dollars. It was clear that Jack’s work was unfinished. In its very first year, the foundation awarded 4 scholarships to Vermont high school seniors. It now aims to meet or exceed that total each year, and provide additional support and programming to Vermont students, extending Jack’s legacy far beyond his death.