COACH CHRIS EATON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
The Coach Chris Eaton Memorial Scholarship supports Albuquerque-area student-athletes who excel both on the field and in the classroom. It provides college or vocational school funding while honoring Chris’s legacy of mentorship, leadership, and dedication to youth development.
Applications for the 2027 scholarships must be completed and submitted online by March 31, 2027.
The Coach Chris Eaton Memorial Scholarship was established to honor Chris Eaton, a passionate and successful head baseball coach at Sandia High School in Albuquerque who passed away in November 2022. Scholarships are awarded to student-athletes who demonstrate excellence in their sport, academics, leadership, teamwork, sportsmanship, integrity, and contributions to their community and teammates. Before applying, students should review the requirements below and learn about Chris and the Chris Eaton Foundation on this site.
The first scholarship of $10,000 was awarded in June 2024 to a Cibola High School senior. In 2025, four scholarships totaling $20,000 were awarded: $10,000 to a graduating Highland High School senior, $5,000, and two $2,500 awards. In 2026, four scholarships totaling $30,000 were awarded: $10,000 each to graduating Rio Grande High School and Bosque School seniors, and two $5,000 awards.
The scholarship is funded entirely by charitable donations. All contributions directly support the scholarship and help raise awareness of healthy living resources that promote the mental and physical well-being of student-athletes.
OUR MISSION
The Chris Eaton Foundation has two main goals:
01. Promote Youth Mental and Physical Health:
We raise awareness of healthy living resources to help coaches, student-athletes and their families address behavioral and mental health challenges. We aim to elevate mental health to the same level of importance as physical health and to reduce the stigma surrounding seeking support.
02. Support Education Through Scholarships:
We provide college and vocational school scholarships to graduating senior student-athletes, helping them continue their education and personal development beyond high school.
COACH CHRIS EATON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Award Requirements + Criteria
Eligibility: graduating senior student-athletes from Albuquerque-area high schools (Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, and surrounding communities — public, private, or charter) who have competed in at least one varsity-level sport for a full season, maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher, and plan to attend college or vocational school in the fall. Every application — essays, short answers, and video — is scored by our selection committee across six weighted criteria, so students know exactly what matters most:
MISSION ALIGNMENT & WHOLE-PERSON HEALTH
The heart of this award. We look for students whose essays and video connect their own story to mental, emotional, and physical health — and who embody Coach Eaton's belief in getting 1% healthier every day.
LEADERSHIP IN WELLNESS
Initiative beyond participation: leading teammates, shaping team culture, or advocating for health and wellbeing in school or community. We want to see impact that reaches past the applicant themselves.
COACH OR MENTOR IMPACT
This scholarship honors a coach. Tell us about the coach or mentor who shaped your values, resilience, or identity — and how that relationship changed you as an athlete and a person.
ACADEMIC FOUNDATION
Strong classroom performance while balancing a demanding athletic schedule — and we read grades in context. A cumulative 3.2 GPA is required to apply.
ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE & IMPACT
Your varsity career and what you gave your team: contributions, honors, club or travel experience, and growth as a competitor. Plans to play at the college level strengthen this category.
PRESENCE & COMMUNICATION
How you tell your story. The video and written responses are judged on clarity, authenticity, and voice — not production quality. Be yourself; we want to hear you.
*Selected finalists may be contacted for reference conversations with their coach and one additional reference before awards are announced June 1*
Applications open January 1 · close April 30 · winners announced June 1
Everything you need to apply: the essay prompts, Chris's Definite Dozen, video tips, what we look for in each category, and key dates. Read this first — it's written for you and your parents.
Know a student-athlete who should apply? The one-page overview below covers who we're looking for, what the award includes, and how to apply.
Questions? Email chriseatonfoundation@gmail.com — we’re glad to help before you submit
HOW IT WORKS
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility: Applicants must be graduating seniors from Albuquerque high schools in spring 2027, have competed in at least one varsity-level, school-sponsored sport for a full season, maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher, and plan to attend college or vocational school in the fall.
Step 2: Prepare Your Application: Students should review materials on this website to learn about Chris Eaton and the scholarship criteria, complete the written application, and submit a short video presentation. The application period opens January 1 and closes on March 30.
Step 3: Review & Selection: A committee selected by the Chris Eaton Foundation reviews all applications, gathers input as needed, and announces the winners in May.
Step 4: Scholarship Award: For 2027, scholarship amounts are $10,000, $7,500, $5,000 and $2,500. Funds are sent directly to the student’s college or vocational school account. Since 2024, the Foundation has awarded $60,000 in scholarships to support student-athletes and their future success.
Coach Chris Eaton Scholarship Winners
2024
Ava Lulu Estes, Cibola High School
2025
Makayla Lovato, Highland High School
Benjamin Morgan, Albuquerque Academy
Christabel Thiel-Hadjilambrinos, La Cueva High School
Olivia Murphy, Sandia High School
2026
Alex Starr, Bosque School
Sophia Lopez, Rio Grande High School
Chloe Brown, Sandia High School
Anna Hastings, Albuquerque Academy