Bobby and Kathy Cox Post-Secondary Scholarship

The mission of the IHSAA Foundation is to protect, sustain, and nurture the proud tradition of education-based athletics here in Indiana.

The IHSAA and IHSAA Foundation believe that high school athletics is an extension of the classroom, instilling character, teaching perseverance through adversity, and providing opportunities to teach servant leadership. 

Announced in 2021, the Bobby & Kathy Cox Post-Secondary Scholarship serves as recognition of a partnership that embodies these values and celebration of students who continue that much needed work. 

Each year, a minimum of 6 seniors are chosen from applicants throughout the state to receive a $1,500 scholarship for their high school accomplishments. These recipients are Indiana’s next generation of leaders that will guide our communities into the future 

These future and current leaders have demonstrated high character, ability to work alongside and support others, and above all to help others. 

Commissioner Cox's Impact on the IHSAA

Before serving as the eighth Commissioner of the IHSAA starting in 2011 and retiring nine years later in 2020, Bobby Cox was a teacher, coach, and high school athletic administrator for 21 years experiencing the benefits and value that the IHSAA and high school athletics offers students. Cox joined the IHSAA as an assistant commissioner in 2000, administering football, boys' golf, track and field, and wrestling during his 11 years in that role before becoming commissioner. 

Commissioner Cox was instrumental in the formation of the IHSAA Foundation in 2016 and creation of the Champions Together Initiative. Both initiatives continue to impact the lives of students and our communities today, promoting opportunities for inclusion and servant leadership. 

To this day, Commissioner Cox remains an integral piece of the IHSAA and the IHSAA Foundation. 

Scholarship Criteria

- The recipient must be a graduating senior or in her/his final year at an IHSAA member school.

- The recipient must be planning to attend post-secondary education (4-year college, 2-year college, trade/technical school) in Indiana.

- The recipient must be a 1st generation family member to attend post-secondary education.

- It is preferred the recipient be a multi-sport athlete and earned a varsity letter in at least two (2) different IHSAA sports.

- It is preferred the recipient played at least one (1) IHSAA sport during each year of high school.

- The recipient must show teamwork, leadership, and good character.

- The recipient must have shown an exceptional servant leadership skills. 

- It is preferred the recipient was a member of the school’s Student Leadership Council/Group.

Application Process

Applications for the Bobby and Kathy Cox Scholarship are available on the IHSAA portal website (www.myihsaa.net). The application will be accessible to member school principals and athletic directors. The member school is responsible for establishing the process by which its nominee is selected. A member school principal may nominate only one student-athlete per year and should submit the application to the IHSAA by March 31, 2024.

The School Principal or Athletic Director should initiate the nomination process. To nominate an athlete, click here to login and complete the application. After completing the form, the information will be electronically sent to the nominated student. Once the student completes their section, the form will be electronically returned to the Principal/Athletic Director for a final review and submission to the IHSAA. If you have any questions on this process, please contact IHSAA Foundation Director, Trip Lukemeyer, at tlukemeyer@ihsaa.org or 317-846-6601.