The Emporia State softball team will benefit from a new scholarship program established by the Emporia chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW).
“We were searching for something local to latch onto — someone local to team up with,” said Janet Hesterman, AAUW chapter president.
The organization seems to have found that connection with the ESU softball team, which has thrived both on the field and in the classroom in recent seasons.
The softball team posted a combined 3.61 grade-point average last year.
Starting this season, the AAUW will provide $8,000 for six different scholarships.
“The impact it will have will be profound — there’s no question,” ESU athletic director Kent Weiser said.
Weiser said it was a first for ESU athletics to have an organization support scholarships as part of its mission.
The amount will be especially significant because softball is not a fully funded sport. Softball players receive partial scholarships, usually between $500 and $3,000.
This differs from the major sports like basketball, which receive full funding and full scholarships to award.
“It allows us to do so much more for recruiting and making sure kids finish (school),” Weiser said.
Five current players and one former player will receive the scholarships for the upcoming season.
Junior transfer Jill Peters, sophomore Miranda Campbell and freshmen Angela Mahan, Nicole Bergley, Brittany Norris will be awarded scholarships, along with two-time former All-American Megan Davison.
A physical education major, Davison will need additional time to graduate and finish up her student teaching — a task that was all but impossible to complete with her responsibilities as an athlete.
Weiser said without outside help, providing scholarships for those athletes out of eligibility could be a real strain on the athletic department.
“That’s one of the nice things is we are going to use a little bit of it this year as a fifth-year aid to help kids that are four-year starters,” Weiser said. “It’s hard for them to take enough hours to graduate in four years. This will make sure that they finish their degree, and that helps on the recruiting side, showing that we’re not just interested in what you can do athletically — that we’re concerned about your education.”
The idea to help the ESU softball team came when an anonymous donor gave money to the AAUW with that purpose in mind.
Hesterman said the organization liked the idea and decided to add more money to the cause.
“Sometimes you just need someone to point you in the right direction in the community,” Hesterman said. “We haven’t had a local focus for awhile.”
The scholarship program goes well with the AAUW’s mission, which is to advance equality for women and girls through advocacy, education and research.
The Emporia chapter of the AAUW has been active since 1922.
Membership in the organization is extended to women and men who hold an associate’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university. Students enrolled in college may still join the group as affiliate members.
Hesterman hoped the program would raise awareness about the organization.
“We’re really hoping to get to know college students,” Hesterman said. “Maybe this could be a shot in the arm.”