Toppers Assist Scholarship Partners
The Toppers Assist Scholarship was established in summer 2020 by four former Hilltopper
Basketball student-athletes to honor their alma mater and provide opportunities for
underrepresented groups at WKU. The scholarship supports a diverse incoming WKU freshman
who graduated from a high school in Bowling Green or Warren County, Ky. Other former
Hilltopper Basketball players have joined them as partners in support of the scholarship.
New partners for the Toppers Assist Scholarship Fund will be announced regularly. For more information, contact Donald Smith at (270) 745-4597.
Tyrone Brazelton next to join Toppers Assist Scholarship
Former Hilltopper Basketball student-athlete Tyrone Brazelton ('08) is the latest to join former teammates in supporting the Toppers Assist Scholarship.
"WKU and the community of Bowling Green have played such a large role in my own social development that I only see fit to pay it forward and join my fellow alumni in supporting the Toppers Assist Scholarship," said Brazelton. "I’m honored and privileged to be part of a scholarship that will have a lasting effect on a student's transition to college."
Posted: Sept. 22, 2020
Justin Johnson joins Toppers Assist Scholarship
Former Hilltopper Basketball and Football student-athlete Justin Johnson ('18) is the latest to join former teammates in supporting the Toppers Assist Scholarship fund.
“I am blessed and honored to be part of the start of something great with the Toppers Assist Scholarship Fund and to give back to a place that has given so much to me and my family," said Johnson. "WKU will forever be home and hold a special place in my heart. I hope fans and the WKU Family will help grow this scholarship into the special thing we all know it can be!”
Posted: Sept. 15, 2020
George and Chastity Fant join Toppers Assist Scholarship
Former Hilltopper Basketball and Football student-athlete George Fant ('15) and former Lady Toppers Basketball student-athlete Chastity Fant ('15) have joined former teammates in supporting the Toppers Assist Scholarship fund.
“My wife, Chastity, and I are excited to join our fellow athletic alumni in support of Toppers Assist Scholarship," said George Fant. "For both of us, growing up in the Bowling Green and Franklin communities, WKU has always been home to us and we could have never envisioned being elsewhere for our college experience."
"We are honored to use our platforms to help support a much-needed cause in continuing to fight for and create diversity on WKU’s campus to give others the same positive experience we had in a time where inclusion, belonging and diversity is so important," added Fant. "WKU fans, please support this fund to help us grow it to where we can help those who are in need.”
Posted: Sept. 10, 2020
Matt Maresca next to join Toppers Assist Scholarship
Former Hilltopper Basketball student-athlete Matt Maresca ('09) is the latest donor to join the Toppers Assist Scholarship Fund.
“I am honored to give back through the Toppers Assist Scholarship, not only to my hometown of Bowling Green but also to my alma mater, and to stand alongside my teammates and athletic alumni to make a meaningful difference in the community that has provided so much to me,” said Maresca. “By providing assistance and promoting a more diverse environment at WKU, this scholarship will offer several local high school graduates financial support for many years to come.”
Posted: Aug. 31, 2020
Crystal Kelly joins Toppers Assist Scholarship
Former Lady Toppers Basketball student-athlete Crystal Kelly ('08) has joined other former student-athletes to support the Toppers Assist Scholarship Fund.
"In a time of uncertainty and social unrest, it’s important to find ways to spread positivity and come together for one another," said Kelly. "Being part of the Toppers Assist Scholarship Fund gives me the opportunity to give back to a place that has given so much to me. I am a proud WKU alumna, and I am thrilled to help others have the same amazing experience that I once had on the Hill."
Posted: Aug. 25, 2020
Ty Rogers makes gift to Toppers Assist Scholarship in honor of mother
Former Hilltopper Basketball student-athlete Ty Rogers ('08) has joined former Hilltopper Basketball teammates to support the Toppers Assist Scholarship Fund. Rogers made a gift in honor of his mother, Ruth Rogers.
“I am so proud of my teammates for creating the Toppers Assist Scholarship," said Rogers. "We all play an important role in supporting diversity, inclusion and belonging, and I am honored to join my brothers in giving back to a community that has given so much to us, especially in memory of my mom. She loved WKU and was a loyal Hilltopper fan! Mom always found joy in lifting others up and I am forever grateful for her example.”
Stay tuned for more partner announcements!
Posted: Aug. 17, 2020
AJ Slaughter and the Swish 2 Success Foundation make gift to Toppers Assist Scholarship
Former Hilltopper Basketball student-athlete AJ Slaughter ('10) has joined other former Hilltopper Basketball teammates to support the Toppers Assist Scholarship Fund. Slaughter is co-founder of the Swish 2 Success Foundation, a nonprofit focused on providing youth with tools and opportunities to accomplish their dreams by maximizing their potential through sports and education.
"I am excited and honored to be given the opportunity to join my fellow alumni in such a great cause," said Slaughter. "Creating diversity and helping provide scholarship support to those students is important to me and the Swish 2 Success Foundation."
Stay tuned for more exciting partner announcements!
Aug. 11, 2020
Toppers Assist Scholarship announces partnership with Danny Rumph Memorial Scholarship
The Toppers Assist Scholarship Fund and the Danny Rumph Memorial Scholarship Fund have joined forces to make an even greater impact for Western Kentucky University students. The Danny Rumph Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in 2005 when the Hilltopper point guard passed away before his senior season on the Hill. Four of Rumph’s former Hilltopper Basketball teammates started the Toppers Assist Scholarship Fund to support a diverse incoming WKU freshman who graduated from a high school in Bowling Green or Warren County, Ky.
“After Danny’s passing, Mark Hughes, Mike Simpson and I felt compelled to organize fundraising efforts to honor him,” said Rod Hutcheson of Bowling Green, Ky, one of the organizers of the scholarship fund established in Rumph’s memory. “We were also excited to see the establishment of the Toppers Assist Scholarship Fund from Danny’s former teammates, and we thought it was a perfect opportunity to combine efforts and create one larger fund to benefit WKU students.
“Danny was the point guard on the Hilltopper team with these guys, and it seems only natural to have Danny’s legacy associated with the Toppers Assist Scholarship Fund in perpetuity,” added Hutcheson. “We are glad Danny could be announced as the first partner in what will likely be a long list of former players who support this combined effort.”
“We’d like to thank the individuals involved with the Danny Rumph Memorial Scholarship Fund, other friends and family for keeping his legacy alive and for their generous partnership with the Toppers Assist Scholarship Fund,” said Adam Howard, Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Ala., and cofounder of the Toppers Assist Scholarship Fund. “It’s great to have our teammate Danny, who gave us many assists through our Hilltopper careers, associated with this new scholarship opportunity.”
Aug. 4, 2020
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