Scholarship applications due June 15

In yesterday's post, I wrote about the shortcomings of the modern student-athlete and why education just isn't as important anymore.  While that may be true for some, the young people you see above use sports as a vehicle to achieve the best education possible.  From left to right we have Trent Ross, Megan Wood, and Jimmy Myers.  I can say from personal experience that these young people represent the very best in academics, athletics, and sportsmanship in the St. Louis area.  Each of them are past winners of the St. Louis Sports Commission's Sportsmanship Scholarship.  Review the information below and be sure to nominate a deserving St. Louis area graduating senior today.  Until next time...

Be a Good Sport!

-Sol

ST. LOUIS SPORTS COMMISSION SEEKS NOMINATIONS FOR
$2,500 SPORTSMANSHIP SCHOLARSHIP

AWARD RECOGNIZES GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR FROM

ST. LOUIS REGION WHO EXEMPLIFIES OUTSTANDING SPORTSMANSHIP

APPLICATION AND NOMINATION FORM NOW AVAILABLE

ST. LOUIS – March 28, 2011 – The St. Louis Sports Commission is now accepting nominations for its annual Sportsmanship Scholarship. Unique to the region, the $2,500 scholarship is awarded to a graduating high school senior from the St. Louis metro area who demonstrates outstanding sportsmanship in athletic competition. The scholarship is part of the Sports Commission’s ongoing Sportsmanship Initiative and efforts to promote sportsmanship in the community.

The Sportsmanship Scholarship application and nomination form can be obtained online at http://www.stlsportsmanship.org/ or by calling 314-345-5130. Nominations must be received by June 15, 2011. The recipient will be selected by July 15 and recognized at the 2012 National Sportsmanship Awards in St. Louis.

Scholarship candidates should be nominated for exemplifying the ideals and values of sportsmanship: honesty, integrity, selflessness, kindness, compassion and class. While off-field activities and community service are applauded, scholarship candidates will be evaluated primarily for their approach and character in competition. Athletic performance (wins and other statistics) are not a factor. Those connected to athletic teams, such as student managers, can also be considered for the scholarship should their leadership and behavior represent an extraordinary standard and model for all in sports to follow.

The Sportsmanship Scholarship was created in 2009 by the St. Louis Sports Commission Associates – a group of area young professionals who volunteer to support the Sports Commission’s efforts. The Associates raise funds for the scholarship and select the recipient. Last year, they awarded $2,500 scholarships to Jimmy Myers, a graduate of Westminster Christian Academy, and Megan Wood, a graduate of Washington High School. Both were recognized for the character, class, humility and kindness they exhibited as high school student-athletes. Myers was a four-year letterman on the varsity tennis team at Westminster. Wood was a member of the cross country, basketball, soccer, and track and field teams at Washington High School. They will be honored at the 2011 National Sportsmanship Awards in St. Louis on April 30. For more information on the event, visit www.stlsports.org/awards.

The Sports Commission Associates will host their second annual Trivia Night on Aug. 29 to raise funds for the Sportsmanship Scholarship. Their inaugural Trivia Night last year raised more than $8,000 for the scholarship fund. More details on this year’s fundraiser will be announced in the coming weeks.