Kent Geiger Memorial Coaches’ Impact Scholarship Fund
This scholarship fund was established by Brenda Geiger (Kent’s wife) and Kent’s mother, Karen Geiger. An award is to be made annually from the Fund to Morton High School for the purpose of granting to a graduating senior at Morton High School a scholarship to allow said student to attend a university, college, community college, vocational school, trade school, or technical training program.
Jack Stump
MHS Senior, winner of the Kent Geiger Memorial Coaches’ Impact Scholarship for 2023.
Kent B. Geiger, 55, of Morton, passed away on Saturday, May 8, 2021, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. Kent loved coaching kids. He inspired youth as a coach for Morton JFL Football and also coached baseball with the Morton Youth Baseball Association. Our deepest condolences to Kent's wife, Brenda Geiger of Morton; sons, Andrew and Ben Geiger of Morton; mother, Karen Geiger of Morton; brother, Timm (DeAnn) Geiger of Morton; and mother-in-law, Bonnie Lourash of Morton; and many nieces and nephews including a great-niece and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Wayne Geiger.
He was born on April 16, 1966, in Normal, Ill., to Wayne and Karen (Smith) Geiger. He married Brenda Lourash in East Peoria, Ill., on September 16, 1989.
Kent lived his life with passion. A passion for people, for sports, for his community, his family and his Lord. His smile was contagious. His words were encouraging. His laugh was infectious, and his jokes were sometimes bad. He poured his life into his wife and sons, making their activities his own. You could always count on Kent.
He loved the Bears and the Cubs. He invested his life in the lives of young athletes, coaching JFL football and MYBA, including leadership roles. He was an active band dad and a youth leader and teacher at church.
Kent was fun. He didn’t know a stranger. He made everyone feel welcome and important. A man of integrity and character. He was a humble servant and loved by all.
His volunteer service at church included the Illinois Mennonite Relief Sale Board, Elvis impersonator, VBS leader, youth ministry leader, church board and sound man. His tech skills were legendary. If it needed to be done, Kent would find a way to do it, bigger and better than anyone imagined.
Life with Kent could be a wild ride. Our lives were richer and fuller because of the way he lived and loved. He touched our lives and we will never be the same.
Qualifications for this scholarship:
Must be a senior at Morton High School who has demonstrated academic success by having achieved a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0;
Must be enrolled in an accredited university, college, community college, vocational school, trade school, or technical training program (at least 12 credit hours) for the following academic year;
Has demonstrated the following attributes:
Positive attitude
Encourages others
Hard working
Compassionate
High moral character
Role model to underclassmen
Preference will be given to students who have been involved in school activities and/or have volunteered in various ways both at school, and in the community.
Must have participated 2 or more years in either Morton JFL, Morton Youth Baseball Association (MYBA), or both.
Must include an essay of 500 words or less addressing the following:
Describe how a coach has impacted your life.
Cite specific examples of how a coach helped you develop character traits beneficial to your future.
Financial need may be considered but is not the primary consideration in the selection process.
If you would like to make a tax deductible donation to this endowment fund, please click the button below for online donations. Or, you can mail a check to 135 S First Avenue, Morton, IL 61550.