Week in and week out, junior running back Ashton Jeanty continues to thrive on the football stage, garnering national media attention. Jeanty is using his platform to positively impact the educational future of Boise State Football student-athletes.
A post shared by Ashton Jeanty💫 (@deuce.2x__)
On Oct. 21, 2024, Jeanty announced on his Instagram the launch of the “Rushing Towards Legacy” campaign. Jeanty is conducting the campaign through Boise State’s PonyUp crowdfunding platform with the goal of raising $200,000 for the Ashton Jeanty Endowed Scholarship for Football.
“This is a really special time at Boise State and Ashton is a phenomenal representative of our institution,” Athletic Director Jeramiah Dickey said in a press release. “What a privilege it is to support a once-in-a-lifetime athlete, person and leader like Ashton. It is humbling to see him use his platform and story to further improve the lives of others.”
The purpose of the endowed scholarship is to raise money for future Boise State football student-athletes. Boise State’s Senior Associate Athletic Director of External Affairs Cody Gougler said that the process of this scholarship originated roughly a month ago in collaboration with both the Boise State Athletic Department and university foundation’s program.
“We’ve [Boise State Athletic Department and university foundation’s program] worked with Ashton since that initial conversation to get this scholarship to a point where it was ready for market and ready to launch,” Gougler said. “It’s been really cool to see Bronco Nation’s response.”
According to Gougler, an endowed scholarship is set as a permanent fund that provides financial aid to future Boise State football student-athletes.
Gougler added that the campaign received world-wide recognition, recently collecting a donation from a donor in Iceland.
“That’s the reach Ashton has right now,” Gougler said. “What a wonderful way to leave a legacy beyond just what’s happening on the field.”
As of now, the scholarship isn’t tailored towards a specific group of athletes, such as a walk-on or starter. It’s intention is to support all Boise State Football Student-Athletes.
On Oct. 23, 2024, Jeanty explained in a Zoom press conference his reasoning for launching the scholarship.
“Being able to give that opportunity to other students and realizing how expensive life is and college, I know so many people with student debt,” Jeanty said. “To be able to help the young generation, my generation right now to go to school and get a degree, not on their own dime, it’s just a blessing.”
Jeanty added that with this scholarship, it’ll contribute to his goal of leaving a legacy in the football program.
“I think on the field I’ve been able to do a lot, but I think off the field I’ve also been able to do a lot, I’m not finished yet, I still got a lot more work to do,” Jeanty said. “I think the scholarship was just another step off the field in continuing my legacy.”
Jeanty leads all NCAA Division I athletes in rushing yards per game at 196.6 and all-purpose yards at 203.7 yards per game. According to USA Today, Jeanty currently has the best odds to win the Heisman Trophy award at +200 odds.
In a press conference on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, Running Backs Coach James Montgomery acknowledged Jeanty’s impact on the Boise community and his character off the field.
“He’s going to have a whole impact on the whole community, this whole area,” Montgomery said. “You guys don’t get to see him every day, but you guys get to see him on Saturdays and on the field. As good as he is on the field, he’s a better person.”
As an athlete, Montgomery credited Jeanty’s leadership role with Freshman Running Backs Sire Gaines and Dylan Riley.
“He’s brought him [Gaines] along, all the way through,” Montgomery said. “They’ve [Gaines and Riley] had such a great example with him, whatever he does, they do.”
Montgomery added that Jeanty’s work ethic “sets the temperature” for the running back room.
Later in the press conference, Boise State Head Coach Spencer Danielson mentioned that he had no involvement in the idea of the scholarship, saying it was “all Ashton”.
“That’s just a small testament to who he is as a young man,” Danielson said. “It’s not about Ashton if you talk to him, it’s about other people, it’s about the team. It’s about the legacy he’s going to leave now and for years to come.”
According to the campaign details, donors who donate $1,000 or more will receive a limited-edition signed poster by Jeanty.
The scholarship campaign raised almost $100,000 since its launch. Donations towards Jeanty’s endowed scholarship campaign can be made until 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 13, 2024.
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