The New Mexico High School Coaches Association initiated the Francis Abeyta Kickoff Scholarship Program in the fall of 1991. It is an award given to the sons and/or daughters of coaches who have a minimum of five years membership in the Coaches Association. The scholarship has been named in memory of Francis Abeyta, who coached at Santa Fe Indian School, and was a member of the NMHSCA Board of Directors at the time of
his sudden death in April of 1996. The term “Kickoff” is used because it is a one time grant of $500.00 awarded to the recipients upon enrollment in a post secondary educational institution in the State of New Mexico.
Scholarship:
A. The Scholarship is on one time grant of $500.00 to each recipient.
B. It will be paid directly to the recipient.
C. Payment will be made upon verification of enrollment in a post secondary educational institution in
the calendar year in which the scholarship was granted.
D. Only two Kickoff Scholarships will be awarded each year – one to a son and one to a daughter.
E. The Scholarships will be awarded to sons if there are no daughter applicants, and/or to daughters if
no sons apply.
Eligibility Requirements:
A. The applicant shall be the son or daughter of a current member of the NMHSCA.
B. The applicant’s parent shall have been a member of the NMHSCA for a minimum of five years.
C. The applicant shall be a graduate of an accredited high school in the State of New Mexico.
D. The applicant shall have entered the eighth (8th) semester of high school with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA, based on a 4.0 GPA grading system.
E. The applicant shall attend a post secondary educational institution in the State of New Mexico. (i.e. a Vocational/Training School, College or University)
Scholarship Application Requirements:
A. The applicant shall complete and submit the NMHSCA Kickoff Scholarship application form.
B. The applicant shall submit a copy of his/her official high school transcript.
C. The applicant shall submit letters of recommendation from his/her high school Principal or Counselor and from at least one academic instructor (teacher).
D. The Scholarship application requirements shall be submitted to the Executive Secretary by April 1st.
Scholarship Committee:
A. The President of the NMHSCA shall appoint the Chairman of the Francis Abeyta Kickoff Scholarship Selection Committee.
B. The Chairman shall be a current member of the NMHSCA.
C. The Chairman shall appoint two people to serve on the Committee. These appointees do not have to be members of the NMHSCA. The Committee will be composed of three (3) people.
D. The parent or coach of an applicant shall not serve on the Committee.
E. The Scholarship applicant requirements shall be submitted to the Executive Secretary by April 1st.
F. The Scholarship recipient shall be informed of his/her selection by June 1st.