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NHSSCA Griffin Scott Pherson Educational Scholarship

A Life That ContinuesTo Inspire.

Honoring the life of Griffin Scott Pherson by recognizing high school strength and conditioning coaches whose character, leadership, and commitment make a lasting difference in the lives of others. Griffin's legacy lives on through a family of coaches who continue to inspire.

Discover Griffin's Story Meet Scholarship Recipients

A Life Remembered. A Legacy Carried Forward.

Background: Griffin Challenge commitment board signed by students in Coach Scott Pherson's weight room at Concord High School, Indiana.

The Story Behind the Scholarship

A Father's Promise.A Lasting Legacy.

Before there was a scholarship or a nationwide challenge, there was a child whose life changed his family forever—and a promise that his name would continue to make a difference.

March 19, 2017

Remembering Griffin Scott Pherson

Scott Pherson and his wife, Lauren, were expecting their second child when a medical emergency led to an urgent trip to the hospital. Their son, Griffin Scott Pherson, was born on March 19, 2017.

Griffin lived for two hours and five minutes—from 12:15 to 2:20 a.m. His parents knew him for only a short time, but his life left an enduring impact.

For Scott, a high school strength and conditioning coach, the weeks leading up to March 19 remained difficult. After moving to a new school, he found that one of his student-athletes, Kendal Williams, recognized he was struggling and helped him turn remembrance into a shared act of purpose.

They developed the original Griffin Scott Workout: a 125-minute training session, one minute for every minute Griffin lived. The students came together to honor Griffin and to recognize that people around them may be carrying struggles others cannot see.

What began in one school would eventually inspire coaches and student-athletes far beyond that weight room.

“His name will be known. He will make a difference in this world.”
— Coach Scott Pherson, recalling his promise to Griffin in The Griffin Challenge (2021)

From remembrance to a community-wide commitment. The NHSSCA family would embrace Griffin's story, establish an educational scholarship in his name, and later carry his legacy forward through the nationwide Griffin Challenge.

Discover the Griffin Challenge

The Griffin Challenge · NHSSCA Family

A Family United.A Legacy Carried Forward.

What began as a deeply personal tribute became something coaches and student-athletes could share across the country. The Griffin Challenge is an expression of encouragement, commitment, and the belief that no one has to face difficult moments alone.

Coach Scott Pherson explains the Griffin Challenge, 2021
Coach Scott Pherson · The Griffin Challenge (2021)Hear Scott explain Griffin's story, the original tribute, and his invitation to the NHSSCA family. Watch on YouTube ↗

From one school to a nationwide family

The Challenge Grew. So Did the Community.

In 2021, coaches and student-athletes across the NHSSCA embraced the #GriffinChallenge, taking part and sharing their efforts to honor Griffin and support the Pherson family.

Scott credits Coach Gary Schofield with creating the timed Griffin Challenge. The goal was not simply to complete a workout, but to encourage people to show up for someone else.

In his video, Scott invites teams to participate during March, adapt the challenge to their setting, and share their commitment with the NHSSCA family.

The Timed Griffin Challenge

As explained by Coach Pherson · 2021
Begin25Single unders
Then complete 3 rounds
21Air squats
15V-ups
9Pull-ups
Finish25Single unders

Two distinct tributes: The original Griffin Scott memorial workout lasted 125 minutes—the length of Griffin's life. This later NHSSCA Griffin Challenge is a separate timed circuit. Coaches should adapt participation to their athletes' abilities, supervision, and training environment.

A commemorative keepsake

The Griffin Challenge Coin

The NHSSCA created a commemorative challenge coin to honor Griffin and the spirit of the challenge. Both sides are shown here in their original artwork.

Front side of the original Griffin Scott Pherson challenge coin
Original coin · Side one
Back side of the original Griffin Scott Pherson challenge coin
Original coin · Side two

A commitment that continued

A Board Full of Names. A Shared Purpose.

In March 2023, Scott shared a board covered with student signatures and commitments to the Griffin Challenge from his weight room at Concord High School in Indiana. Each name represents a student's decision to take part.

Student signatures and commitments covering a Griffin Challenge whiteboard from Coach Scott Pherson's weight room at Concord High School, Indiana
Griffin Challenge commitment board · Concord High School, Indiana. Shared by Scott Pherson on March 29, 2023.
“Thank you Griffin, you are making a difference. Daddy loves you.”
— Coach Scott Pherson, The Griffin Challenge (2021)

The Griffin Scott Pherson Educational Scholarship

Honoring Coaches.Changing Lives.

Griffin's legacy continues through the coaches who show up for young people every day. The scholarship recognizes high school strength and conditioning professionals whose character, leadership, and care make a transformational difference.

More Than an Award

Recognizing the Coach Behind the Impact.

The Griffin Scott Pherson Educational Scholarship honors the kind of coach who changes a young person's experience in school and sport—not only through knowledge and results, but through trust, consistency, passion, and the relationships they build. It celebrates an influence that extends beyond a season, a team, or a weight room.

Five Qualities That Matter.

The scholarship's defining characteristics

01

Trustworthy.

A coach who earns confidence through integrity, consistency, and genuine relationships with student-athletes and colleagues.

02

Knowledgeable.

A professional committed to learning, sound coaching practice, and sharing knowledge with others.

03

Effective.

A coach whose daily work creates meaningful outcomes for student-athletes and their school community.

04

Passionate.

A leader whose dedication and enthusiasm reflect authentic care for the athletes and people they serve.

05

Transformational.

A coach whose influence extends beyond the training session, helping young people develop confidence, resilience, belonging, and habits that last.

2027 Scholarship Nomination Requirements

Who Can Be Nominated?

2027 Award Cycle

The Nominee

Must be a current NHSSCA Professional Member.

Coaching Experience

Must have served at least one year as a full-time faculty member in a high school strength and conditioning role.

The Nominator

Must also be a current NHSSCA Professional Member.

2027 NominationsFebruary 1 – April 1, 2027

The official nomination form requests a supporting letter. Review the requirements and prepare your letter before submitting.

Know a coach who embodies these qualities? The nomination process is an opportunity to share the difference they make. Continue to the official nomination information and form.

Official Nomination Form

Griffin Scott Pherson Educational Scholarship

A Legacy Honored.Through Those Who Lead.

Every scholarship recipient becomes part of a story that began with Griffin and grew through the NHSSCA family. We honor the coaches whose character, service, and commitment to others reflect the spirit of this scholarship.

2026 Griffin Scott Pherson Educational Scholarship recipient Nick Maruca

2026 Scholarship Recipient

Griffin Scott Pherson Educational Scholarship

Nick Maruca

Honoring the 2026 recipient of a scholarship that celebrates trustworthy, knowledgeable, effective, passionate, and transformational coaches.

Scholarship Recipient History

2018–2025

2025 scholarship recipient John Wessel

2025 Recipient

John Wessel

Griffin Scott Pherson Educational Scholarship

2024 scholarship recipient Josh Porter

2024 Recipient

Josh Porter

Griffin Scott Pherson Educational Scholarship

2023 scholarship recipient listed by NHSSCA as Taylor Moon

2023 Recipient

Taylor Moon

Griffin Scott Pherson Educational Scholarship

2022 scholarship recipient Mike Snyder

2022 Recipient

Mike Snyder

Griffin Scott Pherson Educational Scholarship

2021 scholarship recipient John Garrish

2021 Recipient

John Garrish

Griffin Scott Pherson Educational Scholarship

2020 scholarship recipient Jay Spearman

2020 Recipient

Jay Spearman

Griffin Scott Pherson Educational Scholarship

2019 scholarship recipient Andrew McKay

2019 Recipient

Andrew McKay

Griffin Scott Pherson Educational Scholarship

2018 scholarship recipient Scott Horne

2018 Recipient

Scott Horne

Griffin Scott Pherson Educational Scholarship

Carry the Legacy Forward

The Next Coach Who Makes a Difference.

Know a coach whose leadership reflects this scholarship's purpose? Review the recognition criteria and nomination information for the next award cycle.

Nomination Information  →

2027 Griffin Scott Pherson Educational Scholarship

Help Carry Griffin'sLegacy Forward.

Griffin's life continues to inspire coaches, athletes, and the NHSSCA family. When we recognize a coach who leads with character, knowledge, compassion, and a commitment to others, we help carry that legacy forward.

01 · Nomination Window

February 1 – April 1, 2027

Nominations open February 1 and close April 1, 2027.

02 · Membership

Professional Members

Both the nominator and the nominee must be current NHSSCA Professional Members.

03 · Coaching Experience

One Year Minimum

The nominee must have at least one year serving as a full-time faculty member in a high school strength and conditioning role.

Honor a Coach Who Makes a Difference

Know a Coach Who Embodies This Legacy?

Nominate a coach whose leadership reflects the scholarship's five defining qualities: trustworthy, knowledgeable, effective, passionate, and transformational. The official nomination form asks for a supporting letter describing why the coach deserves recognition.

Nominations Open February 1, 2027

2027 nomination period: February 1 – April 1.

Need membership? Review Professional Membership

Scholarship Questions?

Rob Brokaw

For questions about the Griffin Scott Pherson Educational Scholarship, eligibility, or the nomination process, contact Rob Brokaw.

brokaw.robert@cusd80.com

One Life. A Lasting Legacy. A Family That Carries It Forward.

Griffin Scott Pherson Educational Scholarship · National High School Strength Coaches Association

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