EdNews - Spring 2008

A Publication of the College of Education at Florida State University

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Golf Tournament Funds Scholarships

by Brittany Loney & Connie Harris

The second Annual Buddy Martin Golf Tournament, held at Golden Eagle Country Club on January 21, raised a total of $15,000 for the Buddy Martin Big Heart Scholarship, to be awarded annually to at least one student at Florida State University Schools (FSUS). This year’s addition to the fund allows the scholarship to become endowed through the Florida State University Foundation, making it a permanent fund. The first award from the fund will be given at a spring awards ceremony.

The tournament and scholarship are named for the late Buddy Martin, father of two graduates of FSUS, who played baseball during their time at Florida High. As a parent, Martin worked to improve facilities and operations for the school’s baseball team and individual players.

“The scholarship is a tribute to Buddy and the heart he had for life and the people whose lives he touched,” said Millie Martin, Buddy’s widow and one of the organizers of the tournament. “Although the students who apply for the scholarship did not know Buddy, I hope that, by learning who he was and what he stood for, they will understand that the attributes they share with him are important, not only in playing baseball but in the game of life.”

Millie said that her husband lived by the motto “good things happen to good people who work hard,” and she hopes that the scholarship becomes something players strive to receive and encourages them to work hard because of what it stands for.

Recipients of the award must be Florida High baseball players who best embody the values set forth by Martin. Nominees must maintain a 2.0 grade point average and write an essay about how they exhibit the attributes that characterized Buddy. Recipients will be chosen by a committee consisting of a school representative, a baseball program representative and a Martin-family appointee.

FSUS officials are very excited to have this additional scholarship for their students. “This scholarship will provide wonderful assistance to the senior applicants from the baseball team,” said high school principal Susan Martelli. “Having alumni such as the Martin family involved with Florida High is a goal that we’ve tried to encourage for some time.” Martelli hopes that the scholarship will stimulate alumni involvement and support at the school.

With more than $30,000 generated from the first two tournaments, organizers hope to eventually meet the state-match requirement of $100,000 in the fund. Once that amount is reached, it will be eligible for a 50 percent match. “Just the thought of what reaching that amount could mean to FSUS students continuing their education is just enormous,” said Jackie Ross, a Martin-family friend and lead organizer of the first two tournaments. She is confident that goal can be reached and has special praise for her team who helped with the tournament in the past two years. Team members are: her husband, David Ross; Charlie and Jeff Hogan; Sheila and Gary Sprague; Sybil and George Palmer; Dean Palmer; Susie and Mike Maynard; Hyla and David Ross; and Al Blizzard. In addition, the FSUS Baseball Boosters contributed goodie bags for players. “None of this would have been possible without this team,” Ross said.

“Buddy was always known for giving back to the community,” Ross said. “This scholarship will allow Buddy’s spirit to stay alive by helping a young man’s dream come true by helping him continue his education.”

In the spirit of community, Millie and sons Chad and Jared are grateful to the sponsors of the tournament, the team of organizers, and FSUS Baseball Boosters, who helped make it such a success. Sponsors included business leaders from across north Florida and Georgia. A full list of sponsors is available below.

Florida State University Schools (FSUS) is a part of the College of Education at Florida State University. The mission of FSUS is to advance Florida's K-12 education through exemplary teaching, research, and service. FSUS provides research and development opportunities for educators as well as providing a laboratory for teacher education. It has strong programs in the academics as well as award-winning arts and athletic programs.

Sponsors:

Platinum Sponsors: Dean Chrysler Dodge-Jeep, Inc.; DOCS (Bainbridge, GA); Lamar Outdoor Advertising; Donald L. Tucker Center; Richard Ruch & Family; Reams & Reams, CPA; Wakulla Bank

Golden Sponsors: Hart's Lawn Care, Inc.; Hugh Gordon (Tifton, GA); Nick Nixon; Raven Builders; Regional Property Services; Rhett Martin (Atlanta, GA); Sonny's Real Pit B-B-Que; Tallahassee State Bank; Titus Sports Academy; Wiregrass Furniture & Lumber Company, LLC