From the inception of the Chesapeake Sports Club in 2011, one of our goals was to provide scholarships to Chesapeake high school athletes. Under the leadership of Scholarship Chair Linwood Nelms and with the assistance of Superintendent Dr. W. Randolph Nichols, policies and procedures were adopted by the Club. The purpose of the Scholarship Committee is to identify deserving student athletes based on both academic criteria and financial need. Annual student representation will be from Chesapeake’s seven public high schools, Atlantic Shores Christian Academy, and Greenbrier Christian Academy. In 2012, the Chesapeake Sports Club awarded a $1000 scholarship to nine student athletes for a total amount of $9000. The students, with their parents and principal, were invited to a membership meeting for the presentation of awards.

Since 2012, the scholarship program has expanded. In 2013, three additional at-large scholarships were provided bringing the total of student awards to 12. In 2014, the amount of each scholarship was increased to $1,500. In 2017, the Chesapeake Sports Club lost one of our founding members and inaugural President – Robert G. “Buddy” Bagley. The Scholarship Committee recommended and the Board of Directors approved the establishment of the Robert G. “Buddy” Bagley Community Service Award to be presented to one of the annual scholarship recipients who best exemplifies Buddy’s commitment to serving his community, participating in worthwhile endeavors, and giving of himself to benefit others. In 2018, Linwood Nelms stepped down as Chairman of the Scholarship Committee. Past-President, Carolyn Bernard, was appointed to chair the committee. Also in 2018, the amount of each scholarship was increased to $2,000. In 2019, club member Nathan T. Beck, donated $10,000 to our scholarship fund. Beginning in 2020 and extending to 2025, the Nathan T. Beck Scholarship will be awarded following the same criteria as other scholarships and bringing the total number of scholarships to 13.

2020 was a challenging time for our nation, our global community, and the Chesapeake Sports Club due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although we were unable to host our annual scholarship luncheon, we were pleased to have the opportunity to award 13 scholarships in the amount of $2,000 each to deserving student athletes.

To date, the Chesapeake Sports Club has awarded $193,000 in scholarships to Chesapeake student athletes.

2012 9 scholarships @ $1,000 $9,000
2013 12 scholarships @ $1,000 $12,000
2014 12 scholarships @ $1,500 $18,000
2015 12 scholarships @ $1,500 $18,000
2016 12 scholarships @ $1,500 $18,000
2017 12 scholarships @ $1,500 $18,000
2018 12 scholarships @ $2,000 $24,000
2019 12 scholarships @ $2,000 $24,000
2020 13 scholarships @ $2,000 $26,000
2021 13 scholarships @ $2,000 $26,000
TOTAL $193,000