University of Iowa 2009 Scholarship-Halas-Sayers Scholarship

August 7, 2008

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The Halas-Sayers Scholarship 2009 University of Iowa

The Award
This full-ride, need-based scholarship recognizes academic
achievement and community service/leadership. The amount
awarded will vary depending on other scholarships and grants
you might receive. When coupled with other awards, the
annual cost of attending The University of Iowa as determined
by the Office of Student Financial Aid will be covered.
You may renew the award for three years (or until you complete
your bachelor’s degree, whichever comes first), provided you
remain in academic good standing at Iowa.
Eligibility
To be considered eligible for the Halas-Sayers Scholarship, you
must have applied for admission to the University and:
• be of African American, Latino/Hispanic, or Native American
(American Indian/Alaskan Native) descent;
• graduate from either a Chicago-area public high school or a
public high school in the state of Iowa;
• declare a major in:
applied physics
astronomy
biochemistry
biology
chemistry
computer science
engineering (any type)
environmental sciences
geoscience
mathematics
microbiology
physics
science education
speech and hearing science
statistics
• present an ACT composite of 25 (a combined SAT Critical
Reading and Math score of 1130) or above;
• present a 3.50 GPA on a 4.00 scale;
• demonstrate financial need by filing a Free Application for
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and submitting other required
financial aid documents.

How to Apply
Completed scholarship application materials must be post-
marked by February 13, 2009. These materials include:
• Halas-Sayers Scholarship Application;
• an official high school transcript including grades 9-11.
(This transcript is in addition to the one required with your
application for admission.);
• your completed FAFSA. (Note that your University of Iowa
Verification Form and tax records need to be in the Office
of Student Financial Aid by March 13.)
Selection Criteria & Notification
A Scholarship Selection Committee composed of faculty and
staff members will select the winner. Selection criteria include
academic achievement, high school and community service/
leadership, short-answer responses, and financial need.
The winner will be notified April 17, 2009.

This scholarship is named for two great sports legends: George
Halas and Gale Sayers, both of the Chicago Bears.
Chicago-native George Halas (1895-1983), nicknamed “Papa
Bear” and Mr. Everything, founded the Chicago Bears in 1920
and was one of the founding fathers of the National Football
League (NFL).
A graduate of Crane Tech High School in Chicago, Halas earned
a degree in civil engineering from the University of Illinois.
Some of Halas’ earliest accomplishments include: the 1919
Rose Bowl Most Valuable Player; NFL All Pro Team in the 1920s;
and he co-created the revolutionary T-formation style of
football play.
Halas became the first NFL coach to win his 200th and 300th
games respectively, and he is also the only person ever to have
been a player, coach, and owner. Under Halas’ leadership, the
Chicago Bears won eight NFL titles and became the first team
to hold daily practice sessions; to analyze film of opponents;
and to broadcast games by radio. Halas also drafted the NFL’s
first African-American quarterback.
Halas was a charter member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
and today the NFC championship trophy bears his name.
He was featured on a 1997 US postage stamp as one of the
legendary coaches of football. Halas died in Chicago at age 88
in 1983. To this day, the jerseys of the Chicago Bears have the
initials “GSH” on both outer sleeves in tribute to Halas.
Halas understood the vital importance of a quality education.
He encouraged his players to actively plan for their future
beyond football. His son, George Halas Jr. and granddaughter,
Christine Halas Wood, carry on this tradition by financially
supporting students who wish to plan for their futures by
accessing higher education. It is in this spirit of excellence
and opportunity that this full-ride scholarship has been
established.
Omaha-native Gale Sayers (born 1943), aka the “Kansas
Comet,” was a sensation from the first time he handled a
football as a youngster. After setting many Big Eight records for
the University of Kansas, he became an NFL star running back,
and spent his entire career with the Chicago Bears.
Nicknamed “Magic,” Sayers was the NFL Rookie of the Year in
1965. He led the NFC in rushing twice and was voted All-Pro
five times in his 12-year NFL career. He holds the NFL lifetime
kickoff return record. A left knee injury sustained in the 1970
season ended a glittering career after just four-and-one-half
seasons.
In 1977, Sayers was the youngest person ever to be inducted
to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In 1994, the Chicago Bears
retired his #40 jersey.
His friendship with Chicago Bears teammate Brian Piccolo,
and Piccolo’s struggle with cancer, spurred Sayers’ best-selling
autobiography I Am Third which became the subject of the
legendary made-for-TV movie, Brian’s Song.
Sayers is currently the founder and chairman of the Sayers
Group LLC, a computer company that provides technology
solutions nationwide.