Tom Eastman Scholarship
The Tom Eastman Award was established in loving memory by Tom’s family shortly after his premature death in 2015. A native of Elkhart, Tom graduated from Elkhart Central High School in 1973. An exceptional all-around athlete and recipient of the coveted Tim Bringle Award, Tom excelled in multiple sports though football was always his passion. While in high school, he was an All-American, all-state and all-conference selection in football and also earned all-conference honors in basketball and track.
Tom continued his education from 1973 to 1977 at the University of Notre Dame on a football scholarship. He played on Notre Dame’s 1973 National Championship team which prevailed over archrival Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, and he led the team’s impressive defensive effort in a repeat victory over Alabama in the following season’s Orange Bowl.
Tom’s on-field ferocious and imposing qualities as a gifted linebacker earned him the nickname “Beast”, a trademark moniker which he continued to be affectionately called by many people for the rest of his life. In contrast, he was also considered by family and friends to be a humble and kind-hearted gentleman while off the field. Following his graduation from Notre Dame, Tom returned home and enjoyed a long and successful banking career in Elkhart. He was the proud father of Lizz and Robb.
Eligibility Requirements:
- A resident of Elkhart County for a minimum of one year
- Graduating Elkhart High School senior male
- Member of the Elkhart High School football team
- Maintain a GPA of at least 2.0
- Students planning to enroll full-time in an accredited college, university or vocational school in the United States
Award: One new award is given each year in the amount of $2,000 to be allocated at a rate of $1,000 per year for the first two years for a total award of $2,000.
Apply between January 1 and March 1, 2024.