The board of directors of the Greenbrier Valley Community Foundation (GVCF) is proud to announce the creation of the Coach Bob Zopp Memorial Scholarship Fund. This scholarship is available to graduating seniors from both Greenbrier East and West High Schools beginning with the class of 2018.
The award was created to assist students who have maintained strong academic records while participating on high school sports teams as well as honor Coach Zopp’s legacy as an educator and mentor.
Coach Zopp was born and raised in Rainelle. He started his teaching and coaching career of 60-plus years in Williamsburg. From there he coached football and taught in Fayette County at Mt. Hope High School and Meadow Bridge High School where he produced a State Championship football team. Then, he settled back in Rainelle for a few years giving Rainelle High School a State Championship football team. In 1968, Coach Zopp became the first football coach at the new Greenbrier East High School, making his home in Lewisburg. He enjoyed many years of coaching and teaching and, upon his retirement, continued to substitute teach until age 83. Coach Zopp is loved and remembered not only for his teaching and coaching talents but the love he exhibited for his students and players. Coach Zopp was truly a “life” coach, encouraging integrity, honesty, team pride, and perseverance in his players and students. His efforts opened doors for many with athletic and academic scholarships and several of his athletics went on to join “pro” teams. But most importantly, Coach Bob Zopp was a strong Christian example for his students and players, never missing an opportunity to share his love for the Lord and what it meant to be a true winner in life!
To be eligible for the scholarship, students must be seniors at Greenbrier East or West High Schools who plan to attend an accredited institution of higher education. They must have participated in any high school sports team for at least three years, have earned a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0, and exhibit financial need as well as positive personal and academic characteristics.
Scholarship applications are due Mar. 12. Applications are available through the Greenbrier Valley Scholarship program. They may be accessed through the “Scholarships” page at www.gvfoundation.org. The program was initiated by the Greenbrier Valley Community Foundation to make the process easier for students, guidance counselors, and scholarship sponsors. Courtney Smith, Executive Director for GVCF personally visited with the seniors at GEHS and GWHS in the fall to get them started on the application. She will also be available from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Mar. 1 at the Greenbrier County Public Schools offices on Chestnut Street in Lewisburg to demonstrate the process that committee members will use to review the applications and make their selections.
The Coach Bob Zopp Memorial Scholarship Fund will be administered by the Greenbrier Valley Community Foundation and is designed to exist in perpetuity. GVCF was established in 1999 to ensure that the region remains an enriching environment where individuals and organizations have the resources needed to continue their vital work. It currently has over $14 million in assets. Over the past 18 years, the foundation has distributed over $7.3 million to the community. This year, GVCF expects to distribute $149,000 in scholarships. For more information about these scholarship funds, GVCF, or to learn how to establish a fund to benefit a cause you are passionate about, contact Courtney Smith, executive director, at 304-645-5620 or info@gvfoundation.org.
