ELEANOR RYNDA SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship program is named after Eleanor Rynda, the first woman in the country to coach a collegiate men’s cross country and track and field program. In 1966, Rynda started the first women’s track and field team at the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD), and for more than two decades following she coached both men’s and women’s cross country and track and field teams for the Bulldogs.
Rynda also coached the North Shore Striders Running Club, which is the founding group of Grandma’s Marathon.
Rynda passed away in 2016 after a battle with cancer, and the Young Athletes Foundation (YAF) is proud to continue this scholarship in her name and memory.
To be eligible for the scholarship, student-athletes must be either a sophomore, junior, or senior on the UMD cross country team. The scholarship is also only available to runners who grew up within the YAF’s five-county geographic region.
Since its beginning and through the year 2020, the Eleanor Rynda Scholarship program has awarded nearly $40,000 in scholarships to local collegiate runners.
NOTE: Because of NCAA regulations and to protect the privacy of student-athletes who have received the scholarship, the names of past recipients are not made public.
STEVE & CAROLYN MATHER SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship program was created by longtime Grandma’s Marathon supporter Carolyn Mather to honor her late husband, Steve, and his love of the sport of running.
Two $1,000 scholarships will be awarded annually. The program is meant to assist high school senior track and field and cross country athletes who plan to continue their careers at the collegiate level.
To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must:
- Be a 2024 graduating senior from a high school located in the Young Athletes Foundation’s five-county region of Carlton, Cook, Douglas, Lake, and St Louis Counties
- Have been accepted to attend an accredited college, university, or technical/vocational school for fall 2024
- Plan on participating in track and field or cross country during their freshman year at college
YOUNG ATHLETES FOUNDATION
The mission of the Young Athletes Foundation (YAF) is to assist in the promotion, development, and growth of youth athletics and activities that encourage physical fitness, mental, and emotional well-being.
Since its inception in 1990, the YAF has donated more than $1.8 million in the form of grants, scholarships, athletic shoes, and kids’ programming.
Proceeds from events such as the KP Challenge, Saint Fennessy 4K, Fitger’s 5K, Park Point 5-Miler & 2-Mile Walk, Minnesota Mile, and Superior Nightmare 5K go to benefit the YAF’s charitable programs.
If you are interested in volunteering for any of our YAF events or have any other questions, please contact our Program Director Alivia Nelson via email at [email protected] or call our office at (218) 727-0947.