The Tacoma-Pierce Athletic Commission has opened the application process for two of its scholarships that recognize worthy students inside and outside of the sports sector. Students attending any high school in Pierce County are invited to apply and winners will be recognized at TAC’s “Salute to Sports” event on June 12.
The Clay Huntington Sports Communication Scholarship grants $2,500 to assist deserving local high school and college students in their pursuit of broadcasting or journalism at the post-secondary institution of their choice. The late Huntington (1922-2011) was a founding member of the Tacoma Athletic Commission and is known as perhaps the youngest sportswriter and sportscaster in Tacoma’s history, starting while attending Lincoln High School and continuing while attending the College of Puget Sound (now University of Puget Sound).
“We honor an individual who has an interest in journalism, sports broadcasting, or any type of industry or field that has some sort of connection between these two,” said Jessica Moore, who works with the TAC in administrative and financial support.
The Stan Naccarato Sports and Civic Betterment Award Scholarship is geared toward young students involved in sports and volunteering within their community. The winner will receive $2,500 in scholarship funds.
Stan Naccarato (1928-2016) devoted an exemplary amount of time and energy to the TAC, becoming a member after he returned from playing professional baseball and becoming a sergeant in the U.S. Army. He became a two-time TAC president and was the voice of the TAC’s Golden Gloves from the very beginning. Just like Naccarato’s commitment to civic betterment, this value has always been part of the TAC ever since it was founded.
Both scholarships are free to apply for and require an essay, letters of recommendation, and transcripts. Apply online at tacomaathletic.com. Winners will be honored at the TAC’s Salute to Sports on June 12.
Also known as the Spring Athlete of the Year Dinner, this event will recognize all the male and female athletes who were nominated as TAC’s spring Athlete of the Year. These recognitions include the Scott and Sis Names Athlete of the Year Scholarship for most outstanding male and female athlete; Tom Names Inspirational Athlete of the Year, male and female; and the Clint Names Multi-Sports Excellence Award Scholarship, also male and female.
Salute to Sports will be held 5-8 p.m. at the McGavick Conference Center at Clover Park Technical College, 4500 Steilacoom Blvd. SW in Lakewood. The public is invited and encouraged to attend. Learn more at tacomaathletic.com.
