Blazers Press Release: Duckworth Scholarship

TRAIL BLAZERS & THE OREGON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION  

 ESTABLISH KEVIN DUCKWORTH MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Fund to Provide Opportunities for Needy Area Students

                                                                   

PORTLAND, Ore. – In partnership with The Oregon Community Foundation, the Portland Trail Blazers have established the Kevin Duckworth Memorial Scholarship Fund, Trail Blazers President Larry Miller announced today.

Scholarships will be awarded annually in Duckworth’s honor to graduating high school seniors within Oregon and SW Washington to help finance college or professional training.

“Kevin left behind a legacy of generosity,” Miller said. “This scholarship honors that legacy by allowing Kevin to continue to better the lives of people in our community for many years to come.”

Fans interested in making a tax-deductible donation to the fund should send their contributions directly:

OCF’s Kevin Duckworth Memorial Scholarship Fund

1221 SW Yamhill St., Suite 100

Portland, OR   97205

 

The Oregon Community Foundation works with individuals, families, businesses and organizations to create charitable funds to support the community causes they care about.  Through these funds OCF awards more than $55 million annually in grants and scholarships. For more information on The Oregon Community Foundation, visit http://www.ocf1.org/.

The Kevin Duckworth Memorial Scholarship Fund incorporates Duck’s passions - athletics and the outdoors - offering education and training opportunities for underserved youth in the areas of athletics, physical education, wildlife studies, fish and wildlife management and trades involving wood or iron works.

Scholarships will be earmarked for individuals who meet state poverty guidelines and are looking to pursue post-secondary educational opportunities and training.

“Establishing this fund right away allows us to accommodate the requests of the many fans who are wondering what they can do as a remembrance on Kevin’s behalf,” Miller said. “At the same time, we are continuing to explore other appropriate ways to honor Kevin next year and beyond.”

Duckworth, 44, a two-time NBA All-Star who starred on Western Conference Championship teams in Portland in 1990 and 1992, passed away Monday evening in Gleneden Beach , Oregon . He was on the Oregon Coast representing the Trail Blazers as a Heritage Ambassador on the team's 19-city Statewide Summer Tour.

A memorial service honoring Duckworth will be held at Portland ’s Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 30, at 11 a.m. Fans are invited to join Duckworth’s family, friends, former teammates and other current and former Blazers personnel at the service. Parking is free at the Garden Garage.