(Cloverleaf's Max Gucker, shown at the 2019 Boardman Region meet, was a 2020 recipient of the Marvin Crosten Scholarship)
The Ohio Association of Track and Cross Coaches (OATCCC) has a long-standing tradition of providing scholarships to athletes, who are the son or daughter of an existing member of their association. They do this as a way to give back to those that are contributing toward the growth and development of our sports.
MileSplit Ohio reached out to the scholarship chair, Mr. Bob Karl, for more context on the award's history and its evolution over the years. Also, review below the entire list of recipients for 2020, as well as the application form and timeline for the 2021 distinctions.
"We are very proud of our program and we have been able to recognize and reward many of our coach's kids over the years. I have served as committee chair since 1992."
"Just a bit of history: our scholarship program was first established by the OATCCC Executive Committee in 1982 to honor long time coach and OATCCC officer and contributor, Marvin Crosten, who coached at Upper Arlington High School."
"The first scholarship chair was Neal Charske, who coached at Kettering Fairmont East High School. Initially, there were three scholarships awarded, with three other student-athletes named as alternates for the awards.This practice was abandoned in 1989. The first scholarships were for $500.00. The amount was raised to $1,000.00 in 1990, and has remained at that amount since that time."
"The awards are for one year only. Although the scholarships are mainly for graduating seniors, college freshmen are still eligible, if they did not get an award their senior year. Eight college freshmen have received a scholarship since the program has existed. From 1982-2000 the number of scholarships awarded (depending on the number of applicants and their credentials) varied between three and eight."
"Beginning in 2000, the maximum number of awards per year was set at ten (depending on the number of applicants and their credentials). Beginning in 2005, scholarships were given to also recognize OATCCC Ed Barker and Hall of Fame Members. A brief biography of those HOF and Ed Barker members is included with the notice of the scholarship award. This is to connect the recipients with outstanding coaches and athletes from the past history of our sports of track and field and cross country."
"This year (2020) we gave scholarships to all 19 of our applicants, which was great, since they all were outstanding students, co-curricular participants, athletes, and were involved in many community activities. This has been the norm for our scholarship winners over the years, In terms of money, since 2000 we have awarded $181,000 in scholarships. Since the program's inception, we have awarded over $237,000 to our coach's kids, a small return for all the time and effort our coaches give to our sports and their athletes."
-- Bob Karl
(Galion's Braxton Tate, shown at the 2019 OHSAA State Championship meet, was a 2020 Marvin Crosten Scholarship recipient)