Ty Jordan scholarship created by University of Utah
Jan 5, 2021, 7:16 PM | Updated: 7:16 pm
(Ty Jordan, #22, rushing against Washington State. Credit: Boyd Ivey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Ty Jordan, #22, rushing against Washington State. Credit: Boyd Ivey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The University of Utah is launching a new scholarship that will be a lasting tribute to the life of freshman running back Ty Jordan. Meanwhile, Jordan’s loved ones are preparing for a “day of celebration” in his honor.
University officials report the Ty Jordan Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to student-athletes participating in football programs who exemplify “the inspiring qualities that Jordan displayed through his work ethic, positivity and perseverance through adversity.”
Head Coach Kyle Whittingham and his wife, Jamie, were the first to donate into the fund, giving $100 thousand.
The university issued a statement saying Jordan was able to become one of the top ten running backs in the country, even though the Utes only played five games in 2020.
Despite his extreme success, they say Jordan stayed humble, always giving the credit to his teammates and his coaches, and always talking about the support he received from his mother.
“Everything he wanted to do, he wanted to do it to make him mom proud,” KSL Sports Utah Utes Insider Trevor Allen said.
Jordan’s mother, Tiffany, died in August after battling cancer. Allen says Jordan always used her memory to motivate him.
Allen said, “when she passed away, he still came to Utah and was all-in on trying to become a better player and trying to help the team win.”
Allen added everyone who knew Jordan had nothing but glowing praise. They would say his smile was always bright and he was just as inspiring off the field as he was on it.
“He was always humble in everything he did even though he had tremendous games and he was winning awards,” Allen said. “He was just a great human being that I wish I would have known more of.”
Jordan’s memorial service was originally scheduled to take place inside a church but has been moved to the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Allen believes many people will want to attend the service, and the church wouldn’t be able to host the service while maintaining social distancing recommendations.
“Obviously, a 100 thousand seat stadium would probably do the trick,” Allen said.
The GoFundMe account set up to pay for Jordan’s funeral expenses surpassed the amount the creators were hoping for.
