Davey O’Brien Foundation Announces Increase in High School Scholarship Dollars Allotted
FORT WORTH, Texas (Aug. 4, 2026) – The Davey O’Brien Foundation has announced that its Board of Directors has approved a substantial increase in the scholarship dollars allotted to the Davey O’Brien High School Scholarship beginning with the 2026 award.
In honor of the 50th Davey O’Brien Awards Dinner, which is set for Monday, March 8, 2027, the foundation has voted to increase its financial commitment to $50,000 for the winner and $10,000 for the other four finalists. The $90,000 annual commitment more than doubles its previous annual giving level.
“We are ecstatic to announce this commitment to increasing our High School Scholarship Award,” said David O’Brien, Jr., Chairman of the High School Scholarship Committee. “I have long said that this award is the one that would make my dad most proud, and to be able to further help these outstanding student-athletes in their life journeys is a thrill.”
The scholarship program, partially underwritten by Higginbotham and Simmons Bank, honors exceptional senior student-athletes in North Texas. One student per public or private school in the North Texas region is nominated, and the Davey O’Brien High School Scholarship Selection Committee selects five finalists from the more than 100 candidates.
Recipients of the High School Scholarship Award are chosen based on scholastic achievements, community service, character, leadership and varsity sports participation. As part of the selection process, the selection committee also conducts in-person interviews with all five finalists.
The 2026 winner will be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 17 at the annual scholarship luncheon at The Fort Worth Club. The High School Scholarship, first awarded in 1986, applies to the college or university of the winner’s choice and may be used for undergraduate or graduate studies within 10 years of receiving the award.
Recipients over the past two decades have attended schools such as Columbia University, Emory University, Harvard University, Iona University, Johns Hopkins University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Northwestern University, Pomona College, Princeton University, Rice University, Stanford University, Texas A&M University, Texas Christian University, University of California-Los Angeles, Vanderbilt University and the University of Virginia.
Since its founding, the Davey O’Brien Foundation has distributed over $1.4 million in scholarships and university grants to help high school and college athletes transform leadership on the field to leadership in life.