THE Scholarship
The very first Coach Chris Eaton Memorial Scholarship was awarded June 2024 to an Albuquerque senior student-athlete to assist her at college in the fall of 2024 (click News & Events for info). Details about the 2025 Scholarship will be published later this year. The Scholarship was created in honor of Chris Eaton, a passionate and successful head baseball coach at Sandia High School in Albuquerque, who died in November 2022. Award recipients will be those exceptional student athletes who best exemplify their sport, academic achievements, good sportsmanship, and contributions to their community, team and teammates. The Scholarship is funded entirely by charitable donations. All donations will be used to fund the Scholarship and to raise awareness of healthy living resources to help young people improve their mental and physical health.
THE CHRIS EATON FOUNDATION HAS TWO GOALS…
To raise awareness of healthy living resources to help mitigate behavioral and mental health issues that are encountered by many young people today, including elevating concern for and treatment of mental health issues to the same level as physical health issues and eliminating any stigma attached to mental health issues.
To provide scholarship money for newly graduated senior student athletes to help them continue their education and development at college or a vocational school.
COACH CHRIS EATON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
award requirements + criteria
The requirements and criteria for the 2025 scholarship have not yet been finalized. In 2024, applicants for the Scholarship were high school seniors who participated in at least one sport at the varsity level at an Albuquerque high school, who have at least a 3.2 GPA, and who will further their education at a college or vocational school. Applications in 2024 were evaluated on the following four criteria, which student-athletes were asked to address in the application process:
Student ATHLETICS
Performance and accomplishments in the student’s sport(s), including statistical performance, awards and recognition, highlights and special moments, contributions to team success, personal development and improvement in the sport, and willingness to listen to coaches, and to learn and grow as an athlete and a teammate.
ACADEMIC Achievements
This category focuses primarily on the student’s performance in the classroom, including awards, achievements, grade point averages, trends toward improvement, as well as a curiosity about the world and desire to learn. The student’s academic goals and a plan to achieve those goals also will be considered.
LEADERSHIP + Teamwork
Student’s efforts and achievements both on and off the field with regard to setting an example for others, and motivating themselves and others to set goals and work hard toward those goals. Consideration will be given to specific examples of how the student assisted or motivated others to continually improve.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
This category focuses on activities and interests that are not in the student’s sport or in school. Activities here can include charitable and volunteer activities, fund-raising for good causes, helping those in need, and generally working toward improving one’s family, neighborhood, church, clubs, community or the world at large.
HOW IT WORKS
Interested student athletes should first confirm that they meet the requirements of being a graduating high school senior who participated in at least one school-sponsored sport at the varsity level at an Albuquerque high school, has a 3.2 GPA or higher, and will attend a college or vocational school in the fall.
It is recommended that applicants read the materials on this website and develop an understanding of Chris Eaton and the criteria for the Scholarship award. Applicants should take their time to complete the written application form on this website and prepare a short video presentation. Details on applying for the 2025 Scholarship will be published later this year.
For 2024, the CEF Board of Directors carefully reviewed the applications, solicited comments from others, and announced the winner.
The dollar amount of the Scholarship was $10,000 for 2024. The CEF will be evaluating enhancements for 2025, including awarding more than one scholarship.
If you have questions, comments, or would like additional information, please use the box on the Contact page, or email the Chris Eaton Foundation at chriseatonfoundation@gmail.com and include your name and telephone number. A Foundation member will contact you.