User:Csbundy2525/Pat Tillman Foundation

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The Pat Tillman Foundation is a non-profit organization created in 2004 by friends and family of former Arizona Cardinals Safety turned U.S. Army Ranger Pat Tillman, including his widow Marie Tillman, in the aftermath of his fratricide death in Afghanistan. A graduate of Arizona State University and former Pac-10 defensive player of the year, Tillman was drafted in the 7th round of the 1998 NFL draft. Turning down a $9 million offer from the St. Louis Rams because of his loyalty to Arizona, Tillman made an impact, setting the single-season Cardinals franchise record for tackles. At 27 years old, the star safety gave up $3.6 million of his NFL contract to serve his country inspired by the events that occurred on September 11th, 2001. Because he retired from the NFL and decided to serve for a bigger purpose, Tillman was instantly credited for his brave and unselfish actions. Instantly proving his leadership ability and combat skills, he was promoted from specialist to corporal. After his death, he was rewarded with the Purple Heart and Silver Star, some of the most respected awards in the military. Tillman is the first NFL player to die in combat since the Vietnam war.

In honor of his death, The Pat Tillman Foundation was created. The foundation supports the education and leadership development of veterans and military spouses primarily through its Tillman Scholars program. The annual Pat's Run, held in Tempe, Arizona, since 2005 regularly draws over 25,000 participants in a 4.2-mile walk/run that finishes on the 42-yard line of Arizona State University's Sun Devil Stadium and helps fund scholarships and programs for Tillman Scholars.

 Primary purpose: 

The Pat Tillman Foundation is an organization that serves the brave men and women of our country by providing a support system to military families and veterans. Furthermore, their mission is to aid Tillman Scholars with academic scholarships and crucial life skills, such as leadership development, all while having an end goal of positively impacting the people and places that surround them. To ensure this foundation is properly supported and runs smoothly, the Leadership Through Action Program was created. The program is mainly focused on carrying out the legacy of Pat Tillman, which is to inspire others to serve a purpose bigger than themselves. To make this possible, the program supplies “the inspiration, tools, and experience to help tomorrow’s leaders identify problems and social ills that touch them, develop potential solutions to those problems, test the solutions, and ultimately implement those solutions with the funding from the foundation or community” .Overall, Pat Tillman Foundation has invested more than $24 million in academic support since 2008, and has named 800+ Tillman Scholars at more than 166 academic institutions nationwide. The program relies on different leaders around the world who are like Tillman to serve as instructors, mentors, and coaches, which ultimately creates a strong network of men and women who strive to make a huge difference.

 Tillman Scholars Program: 

The Tillman Scholars Program has scholarships that provide students with anything related to their studies, such as their tuition and book expenses. Every year 60 different scholarships are given, which means that the program is very selective and competitive. In order to receive this distinguished honor, an individual must “demonstrate extraordinary academic and leadership potential and a deep desire to create positive change through their work in the fields of medicine, law, business, policy, technology, education, and the arts”

References

"Army Says Friendly Fire Probably Killed Pat Tillman in Afghanistan: FORT BRAGG, N.C. -- the Shots that Killed Pat Tillman, the Football Player Who Became a Patriotic Icon by Giving Up a $3.6 Million Contract to Become an Army Ranger, Probably Came from His Fellow Soldiers, Military Officials Said Saturday. According To." Ventura County Star, 2004. ProQuest Central

Jacobs, Jeff, and Courant Columnist. "Tillman Held Nothing Back ; a Nation Shakes its Head in Awe Pat Tillman 1976-2004: [6-7 Edition]." Hartford Courant, 2004, pp. C.1-C1. ProQuest Central

Lauren Kobley. "Pat Tillman Veterans Center Continues Veteran Aid, Celebrates 10th Anniversary." The State Press: Arizona State University, 2021

"Pat Tillman Foundation Opens Registration for 17th Annual Pat's Run, Presented by TEKsystems: Registration Opened for Pat's Run, the Pat Tillman Foundation's Marquee Fundraising Event, Presented by TEKsystems. Pat's Run, a 4.2 Mile Run / Walk with a .42 Mile Kids Run, Will Take Place Virtually on April 24, 2021." PR Newswire, 2021. ProQuest Central

Tillman scholars program. MyArmyBenefits. (n.d.). Retrieved November 30, 2022, from https://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/Benefit-Library/Federal-Benefits/Tillman-Scholarship-Program?serv=122