Home / Our News & Events / News / Equinox Shares Details For Derek Drake Scholarship
(NASHVILLE, TN)—January 31, 2023—Equinox Information Systems is honored to share details of the newly-established Derek L. Drake Memorial Tennis Scholarship. The $2500 scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior on the Hendersonville High School girl’s or boy’s tennis team who plans to attend an institution of higher learning in any state. The recipient may use the scholarship only for tuition/fees, room/board, and/or books.
At the age of 49, Derek Drake passed away on September 28, 2021. To honor his memory, Derek’s family formally took steps to implement this scholarship earlier this year. Last year, the family also oversaw the installation and dedication of a bench alongside the tennis courts at a local park where Derek played countless matches during his high school years.
“This scholarship fund has been created to honor Derek’s life and keep his memory alive for years to come,” said Brian Drake, who founded the scholarship and is Derek’s brother. “I plan to attend the ceremony when it’s awarded this year and to renew it annually with help of generous donors and sponsors. On behalf of the entire family, thank you for the outpouring of support on this journey.”
Derek was a member of the tennis team for all four years he attended Hendersonville High School. After graduating in 1990, he accepted a scholarship to Union University where he was a standout player on their men’s tennis team. Derek earned his bachelor’s degree in computer science from Union University in 1994. In 1995, he started his professional career at Equinox Information Systems and remained there until his death. During Derek’s 26-year career at the company, he rose to the rank of senior developer, eventually serving as the Director of Interface Development. He was a loving father, husband, son, brother, and uncle. Derek’s passion for Pittsburgh sports was unrivaled as was his zest for life. His death left a void in the lives of his family and friends. Although he is gone, he will never be forgotten.
“A smile as bright as the sun and a wit as sharp as a knife, there was never a doubt where Derek stood on any issue…and he always stood by his family, friends, and coworkers,” explained Equinox founder and CEO, Byron Middendorf. “His legacy is alive at Equinox not only in our code but also through intentional conversations about his involvement with each of us. We applaud his family’s effort to establish this scholarship and are proud to play a role in helping to honor Derek’s memory.”
You can donate online or by mailing a check as detailed here. All donations are tax-deductible.
Online: Use this link or go to hhs.sumnerschools.org, scroll down the page, find and click the ‘Online School Payments’ option listed at left. When the ‘Sumer County Public Schools Online School Payments’ page loads, click the ‘Derek Drake Memorial Tennis Scholarship Fund Donation’ item (AK084-VAR26) from the list. Enter your donation amount, name, and contact information (email or street address) before clicking ‘Add to Cart’.
Mail: Make checks payable to Hendersonville High School, put “Derek Drake Scholarship” in the memo line, and then mail to Hendersonville High School, 123 Cherokee Dr., Hendersonville, TN 37075.
Since 1986, Equinox Information Systems has helped customers in every sector of telecommunications stop fraud, mediate usage data, manage expense, and optimize revenue. Protector is Equinox’s automated fraud management solution. TeleLink is Equinox’s flagship mediation and revenue assurance platform. To learn more, visit www.equinoxis.com, or follow on Twitter @EquinoxInfoSys and LinkedIn.
