Fifteen American Legion Post 48 Players Receive Support on and off the Field
Don Coss Memorial Scholarship Supports Post-Secondary Education
Cambridge, OH – Fifteen members of the Post 84 Cambridge American Legion Baseball team won’t just receive support on the field – they will receive it on campus as well through the Don Coss Memorial Scholarship Fund. The Don Coss Memorial Scholarship Fund, part of the Guernsey County Foundation’s Family of Funds, honors the memory of Guernsey County’s “Mr. Baseball,” Don Coss.
An active member of the community, Mr. Coss served as a City Council member, a member of the local school board, and as city treasurer. But no position was more important than coach. The founder of the local American Legion team, Mr. Coss was passionate about the sport and the young men playing it. A man who would drive to pick up players who had no other means of getting to games or practice, Mr. Coss started a scholarship program through a bequest in his will to support Post 84 Legion players in their post-secondary studies whether through vocational, associate degree, or bachelor programs.
“Don was passionate about these kids and wanted to provide a helping hand for as long as possible,” said Ron Antill, Post 84 Legion team manager and a longtime friend of Mr. Coss. “Even though future generations of players won’t know him personally, his legacy will live on through this scholarship that bears his name.”
Each of this year’s scholarship recipients received a $1,500 award to use for a variety of post-secondary studies. Recipients from Cambridge High School in Guernsey County include James Antalis, attending Muskingum University; Quintin Fettes, attending Ohio University; Maurice Lathan, Jr., attending The Ohio State University; RyLee Rogers, attending Ohio University; Timothy Roller, attending the University of Mount Union; and Jacob Shubert, attending Bethany College.
Recipients from John Glenn High School in Muskingum County include Zackery Corder, attending Thomas More College; Parker Evans, attending Muskingum University; Kyle Khune, attending Ohio University – Zanesville; Luke Larson, attending Muskingum University; Matthew Tom, attending Ohio University – Zanesville; Benjamin Van Wey, attending Muskingum University; and Robert Warne, attending Muskingum University.
Recipients from Shenandoah High School in Noble County include Cody Crum, attending the University of Akron and Ryan Lovette, attending Muskingum University.
After three rounds of scholarships, the Don Coss Memorial Scholarship Fund has awarded more than $48,000 in post-secondary support to Post 48 players and alumni. Students are eligible to reapply for scholarship awards for the same number of years as they participated on the Post 48 team.
The Guernsey County Foundation’s Family of Funds is dedicated to improving quality of life in the Guernsey County community, just like Don Coss did. For more information about how you can cement your or others’ legacies, or support scholarship funds like the Don Coss Memorial Scholarship Fund, please visit www.AppalachianOhio.org.
About the Guernsey County Foundation
The Guernsey County Foundation receives contributions and bequests of all sizes from individuals to assist in the funding of projects and charitable organizations. Through this unique collaboration with the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, the Guernsey County Foundation extends its philanthropic efforts throughout our community. More information can be found at www.guernseycountyfoundation.org or www.AppalachianOhio.org.
About the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio
The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) is a regional community foundation serving the 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio. A 501(c)(3) public charity, the Foundation creates opportunities for Appalachian Ohio’s citizens and communities by inspiring and supporting philanthropy. For more information about FAO, visit www.AppalachianOhio.org.
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