2025 NWF trailblazer scholarship for hbcu softball athletes
The Natasha Watley/HBCU Sports Group Scholarship is a competitive athletic sponsorship designed to support outstanding HBCU collegiate softball athletes who demonstrate exceptional performance, leadership, and dedication to their sport. This scholarship aims to help student-athletes overcome financial barriers, while advancing their athletic careers and fostering personal growth both on and off the field. It provides critical financial support to those who are committed to excelling in academics and athletics.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the Natasha Watley/HBCU Sports Group Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Full-Time Enrollment: Must be enrolled as a full-time student at an accredited HBCU in the U.S., with at least one academic year remaining.
Sport Participation: Must be actively enrolled and, on the current roster for the 2025 HBCU Collegiate Invitational.
Athletic Performance: Must demonstrate active participation in team performance, personal contribution to the team, and exemplary sportsmanship throughout the season.
Academic Standing: Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale).
Leadership: Must show clear evidence of leadership within the athletic program, team, or community.
Commitment to Sport: Must demonstrate dedication to the sport through consistent training, competition, and active representation of the school in athletic events.
Community Service: Engage in extracurricular activities that contribute to the welfare of others, particularly within the sporting community.
Deadline: January 24,2025
Click Here To Learn More and Apply
THE LEONARD MOODY SCHOLARSHIP
Coach Leonard Moody whose unwavering dedication and passion for softball transformed the lives of countless student-athletes, we proudly rename this year's HBCU Collegiate Invitational to celebrate his legacy. Coach Moody's commitment to the uplift and education of collegiate softball players has left a lasting impact on the HBCU Community and beyond. As he lived by the belief that "A LIFE IS NOT IMPORTANT EXCEPT THE IMPACT IT HAS ON OTHER LIVES", this tournament will now stand as a tribute to his influence and dedication, inspiring future generations to carry forward his legacy of EXCELLENCE and ENPOWERMENT in Softball.
HBCU IMPACT AWARD
We are proud to announce that the Natasha Watley Foundation will be giving out an Impact Award to an HBCU Softball Program! A pioneering initiative dedicated to bolstering Historically Black Colleges and Universities, the Impact Award will provide substantial financial support to an HBCU softball program.
The HBCU Softball Program Impact Award represents the Natasha Watley Foundation's unwavering commitment to fostering excellence in education, sports, and community development. This award is aimed at recognizing and supporting HBCU softball programs that have demonstrated exceptional dedication and accomplishments.
The winner of the HBCU Softball Invitational Tournament in February will be awarded the HBCU Impact Award for the 2025 season. The chosen school will have successfully achieved as a program, maintained high academic success of their student-athletes, demonstrated community impact, and the potential for future growth. For this first year, the 2024 season winner was subjectively picked by NWF staff of a school that demonstrated community impact and future growth.
