BRIAN SCOTT WATKINS
1968-1990
Brian’s love for athletics and academics lives on through the Brian Watkins Memorial Foundation.
Brian Scott Watkins was born in 1968, in Provo, Utah. He was an active child, and fell in love with tennis at a young age. Brian played competitive tennis throughout his life, competing in the USTA’s Intermountain Section, where he was always a top seed. Brian was a member of Provo High School’s State Champion Tennis Team, where he also won the state singles title.
After graduating from Provo High School in 1986, Brian was offered a tennis scholarship at Idaho State University where he played for two years. While at ISU, Brian received the 35th Annual Sam Bennion Award, which is given to the most inspirational athlete at Idaho State.
Yet, Brian’s tennis and college careers were cut short in 1990. While visiting New York City for the U.S. Open, Brian was murdered in a subway station during an attack on his family by a gang of robbers. Brian’s story gained national media attention, and helped to bring about many changes in New York City’s outlook on crime.
After Brian’s death, the Watkins family contributed funds to establish a scholarship fund in Brian’s memory. In addition, a few generous donations from people around the world were added to the fund. With this fund, the Watkins family continues to provide scholarship opportunities for high school seniors to continue their education.
Since 1990, The Brian Watkins Memorial Foundation has given over 40 scholarships, totaling in excess of $90,000 to high school students in Provo, Utah, attending Provo High School and Timpview High School. Scholarships are awarded to recipients based on financial need, academic performance, and extracurricular participation (specifically athletics and leadership.)
Although The Brian Watkins Memorial Foundation has succeeded in assisting the continuing education of a few students, the foundation would like to extend this opportunity to more schools in the state of Utah. Support for this scholarship fund will allow this expansion to occur.
SCHOLARSHIP
The Brian Watkins Memorial Foundation will award scholarships to qualified graduating seniors from Provo High School, and Timpview High School.