Garrett Uekman Memorial Scholarship Established

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Garrett Uekman Foundation has pledged $100,000 to help fund an endowed memorial scholarship within Razorback Athletics to honor the memory of former Razorback football student-athlete Garrett Uekman.

The gift agreement was signed in a ceremony held in Garrett’s hometown of Little Rock on Monday where Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Jeff Long was joined by members of the Uekman family including Garrett’s parents, Danny and Michelle, and his sister Meagan.

When the scholarship is fully funded, a Razorback student-athlete will be recognized each year in perpetuity. While all student-athletes will be eligible for the recognition, preference will be given to a football player, tight ends and former walk-ons like Garrett.

“We are deeply honored that the Uekman family and the Uekman Foundation have chosen to make this commitment to celebrate Garrett’s legacy in this way,” Long said. “Garrett Uekman was more than just a tight end on the football team. He was a special young man who made an impact on the lives of his teammates and students around the University of Arkansas campus. He was an extraordinary person and a true Razorback.

“The Uekmans’ courage in the face of tragedy has encouraged all of us and their continued work on preserving Garrett’s legacy has been truly inspiring. We are grateful to Danny, Michelle, Meagan and the Uekman Foundation for helping Razorback Athletics further meet its mission of developing student-athletes to their fullest potential through intercollegiate athletics.”

Uekman, 19, passed away in November 2011, due to complications from cardiomyopathy which resulted in an enlarged heart. At the time of his death, Uekman was a sophomore majoring in applied exercise science in the College of Education and Health Professions. He was a redshirt freshman on the Arkansas Razorback football team, where he played tight end. He played in nine games during the 2011 football season.

In his memory, the Garrett Uekman Foundation was founded to help fund heart disease research and education and fund scholarships to deserving student-athletes.