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Scholarships
Adam played soccer for 10 years with the Tonka United Club. For several years Adam and Gene also served as soccer referees, a great father-son activity. The Premier and Classic level teams that Adam played with from U14 through U18 levels regularly played in soccer tournaments around the U.S. and annually in the USA Cup in Blaine, one of the largest youth soccer tournaments in the world. Their Tonka United team was composed almost entirely of Minnetonka players and they achieved high levels of success. One of the highlights in Adam’s life was playing soccer for two weeks around the Kent, England hometown of his beloved coach Bill Jarrett, and with his best friends. It is most fitting for Adam’s scholarship to be given through the Tonka United soccer club to recipients that share the same qualities and love of the game as Adam.
A 3-person team composed of Gene and 2 officials from the Tonka United Soccer Association selects the annual soccer scholarship recipient in late August. The $1000 scholarship must be used for college expenses. The scorecard used to select recipients rewards commitment, hard work, unselfishness, dedication to the game, and financial need. Past recipients have been star players that lead their teams, as well as over-achieving players that work hard and excel in their role.
Presentation of the 2011 Adam Van’t Hof College Scholarship
On July 30, 2011, the Van’t Hof family and Tonka United Soccer Club awarded the 11th annual Adam Van’t Hof Memorial Scholarships to Kendall Eitrem and Michael Larsen. Scholarships were $1000 each and funded by the Van’t Hof Memorial Fund and Tonka United Soccer Association.
The scholarships are given in memory of Adam Van’t Hof who died in May of 2000. Adam was a soccer player for many years on Tonka United’s Premier and Classic teams, as well as a four-year Minnetonka High Soccer player.
Criteria for the scholarship include: soccer skills and ability, demonstration of a strong work ethic, extracurricular involvement, teamwork, and achievement in their role beyond expectations. A Tonka United panel judged candidates and made selections.
The female recipient of the $1000 Adam Van’t Hof scholarship was Kendall Eitrem, who graduated from Minnetonka High School in 2011. Kendall fit the scholarship criteria in every respect. She was captain and leader of many of the teams she played on, and was respected by her teammates for her commitment and intent to improve the team. But it is Kendall’s contributions outside of soccer where she really shined. Her achievements fill a page. An excellent example is Kendall’s development of a soccer camp in the inner city using Minnetonka players and resources.
The male recipient of the scholarship is Michael Larsen. In contrast to Kendall, Michael’s path to a scholarship consisted of “perseverance” which he engraved on his soccer shoes. Despite playing on teams with losing records and seeing many friends quit, Michael refused to accept failure and never gave up. He admittedly wasn’t the fastest or most skilled player on the field, but he was the first to arrive and the last to leave. He also played whatever position or role the coach asked. In doing so, Michael gained his teammate’s respect and was named captain for 4 years.
Kendall Eitrem’s and Michael Larson’s determination, leadership, commitment, and remarkable work ethic make them excellent recipients of the Adam Van’t Hof Memorial Scholarship.
We applaud all the past recipients of the Adam Vant Hof Memorial Scholarship.
- 2000 - Trevor Eider (referee)
- 2001 - Jason Ober
- 2002 - Courtney Michel
- 2003 - Chris Zielinski
- 2004 - Kristi Olson
- 2005 - Alison Leaf
- 2006 - Brett Sorteberg
- 2007 - Ian Newville
- 2008 - Lindsay Howard
- 2009 - Charles Earl-Hansen
- 2010 - Nellie Bohac
- 2010 - Nicholas Orlowsky
- 2011 - Kendall Eitrem
- 2011 - Michael Larson
Thank you for your support of the Adam Vant Hof Memorial Fund. We hope you'll do so in the future as well. We also hope you can make the next Truckin' with Adam memorial celebration.
Player Scholarship Criteria (PDF)
Scholarship Application (PDF)
Scholarship Application (MS Word)
Scholarship Scorecard (PDF) |
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