The Kurt Budke Scholarship Foundation was formed in memory of Kurt Budke.

Kurt was born on June 3rd 1961 in Salina, Kansas. He grew up playing all sports. At the completion of high school, he was offered a scholarship to play basketball at Barton County Community College. He played his final 2 years of collegiate basketball at Washburn University.

He started his coaching career at Friends University while attaining his Masterʼs Degree at Wichita State University. He coached at Kansas City Kansas Community College, Allen County Community College and Trinity Valley Community College before accepting a coaching position at Louisiana Tech University. In 2005 he became the head coach at Oklahoma State University. On November 17, 2011 he was killed in a plane crash while on a recruiting trip.

Kurt was a competitor at heart. He was a natural leader. He enjoyed helping students become the best they could be on the court and in the classroom. As a coach of womenʼs athletics, it was very important to Kurt that his athletes complete their college degree as he felt it was important to giving them a successful start in life.

In October 2014, Kurtʼs family and friends formed the Kurt Budke Scholarship Foundation. In May of 2015 the Foundation awarded the first scholarships to three very deserving recipients, thanks to the generosity of many who supported the Orange Blazer Classic Golf Tournament.

To be eligible for this scholarship:
The student will have to be enrolled as at least a freshman in college at one of the following schools: Washburn University, Wichita State University, Louisiana Tech University or Oklahoma State University. The student must have been enrolled in 12 hours a semester for previous school year. This student can not participate in intercollegiate athletics or have the intention to participate in intercollegiate athletics. Students working on their masters degree are eligible to apply.

The criteria we will use to choose the recipient will be as follows:
1. Need (whether that be lack of sufficient funding or multiple siblings in school at the same time)
2. Leadership
3. 2.5 GPA or greater.

Download the scholarship application.

Send completed applications to:
Kurt Budke Scholarship Foundation
601 S. Washington Box #106
Stillwater, OK 74074