The Davis Aquadarts Swim Team out of Davis, California has announced a new, $100,000 scholarship fund aimed at supporting young swimmers.
The news comes courtesy of the Davis Enterprise, which reports that the fund will be called the Brady Family Scholarship Fund.
The bulk of the donation comes from Paul Brady, who had four kids move through the Davis swimming program, and credits the sport with helping his children go on to successful careers in various high-level fields – the Enterprise reports that Brady’s kids eventually became involved in law, medicine and computer science.
Brady points to swimming as a positive force in his kids life in the Enterprise piece:
Swim training, he [Brady] notes, requires both mental and physical stamina as well as discipline, dedication and a team spirit. And swimming is something one can do for a lifetime.
The $100,000 fund will provide up to $25,000 per year for the next four years to help Davis swimmers stay involved with the club. The program could possibly continue into the future from there, too, funded by Brady and other donors.
The Enterprise reports that Aquadart swimmers currently pay around $100 a month to participate in the club. The Davis Aquadarts get reduced prices to rent pool space, but have to pay a large number of other costs in full, including lifeguarding fees and coaching salaries. The local pool was also closed down in the past, but the team was able to raised enough money to keep it open through the summer season. The team has now taken over operation of the pool entirely through spring, summer and fall.
Wow! This is so generous. What a great gift to a well deserving organization. Mr. Brady said it best when he describes the positive impact the sport and obviously the team had on his family. Thank you from a long time swim parent and lover of the sport. It is truly an honor to be associated with all the coaches, families and volunteers who make the sport great.