June
2015 Annual Report Dr. Jay Mehrhoff (center), pictured with executives from Under Armour, sponsors of the Athletic Director of the Year Award.
Knights of Columbus in Washington. He is also a member of the Washington and Union Chambers of Commerce. His wife, Michelle, is a kindergarten teacher in the Union School District. Their son, Jacob, is majoring in sports management at the University of MissouriColumbia and their daughter, Kaitlyn, is a sophomore at Union High School.
Foundation Matching Campaign: A Lasting Impact
MEHRHOFF RECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITION
Realizing that his education and experience provided him with the tools to grow his businesses – and support several non-profit organizations – Tony and Michelle seized the opportunity to establish an endowed scholarship through a matching campaign conducted by the ECC Foundation in 2015.
ECC Athletic Director Dr. Jay Mehrhoff received the Under Armour Athletic Director of the Year Award at the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) convention held in Orlando in June.
The campaign was an opportunity for 30 new or current donors to create or increase an endowment to build permanent funding for students and programs at ECC. The Foundation board of directors voted to use unrestricted funds to match the scholarships to increase scholarship opportunities. “The matching campaign allowed our family to make a lasting commitment to ECC while creating a personal legacy,” said Tony. For every $5,000 donation, the Foundation matched that amount to create a $10,000 endowment. In less than two months, 30 families and businesses pledged to establish endowments to fund scholarships and programs at the college. Shannon Grus, executive director of the ECC Foundation, noted that the amazing response for the initiative is a testament to the impact East Central College has in our community. “ECC is truly a community college and the Foundation is proud to support it.”
The ADOY Award was presented to Mehrhoff and 27 other individuals from all seven divisions of college athletics (NCAA FBS, FCS, Division I-AAA, II, III, NAIA/other four-year institutions and junior/ community colleges). It highlighted the efforts of athletics directors at all levels for their commitment and positive contributions to student-athletes, their campuses and surrounding communities. Mehrhoff won the same award in 2011. Among the criteria for selection were service as an AD for a minimum of five academic years; demonstration of commitment to higher education and student-athletes; continuous teamwork, loyalty and excellence; the ability to inspire individuals or groups to high levels of accomplishments; and compliance through its appropriate governing body. Mehrhoff began his career at ECC in 1997 as head men’s soccer coach. He has been athletic director since 2003 and is currently associate professor of physical education and fitness center coordinator.
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