9th Annual Swing for Education

Byline: Morgan Taylor/Multimedia Producer

MUSKOGEE, Oklahoma – A friendly competition for a good cause attracted 37 teams to the 9^th Annual Swing for Education hosted by  the Muscogee Nation Scholarship Foundation that was held at the Muskogee Golf Club.

The tournament raised over $30,000 in proceeds will benefit the 37 different scholarship offered by the foundation that Muscogee citizens can apply too for higher education needs.

Scholarship Foundation Director Pete Coser Jr. has been in the position for less than a month but was happy with the events success. “The players really enjoyed themselves,” he said about the feedback from participants.

In the past couple of years, the event had been hosted at the Fountainhead Creek Golf Course, which is owned by the MCN. Coser claims that the foundation has hosted it at this course before and returning players had requested it. Supporters and business partner with the foundation help fund the event as well as provide donations to different scholarships.

Scholarships range may range from $500-$2,000 a semester and go straight to the student. Coser claims the foundations guide’s students to apply funds to of their educational expenses and debt like tuition and materials before using the funds for other reasons.

“It is very important to highlight these are competitive scholarships,” Coser said.

Applicants are in competition with other Muscogee students and do not go off a needs basis or enrollment processes.

The department has been brainstorming various means to generate more funding to add to the scholarships.

Earlier this year, the foundation held a successful cornhole tournament, which will be held on an annual basis due to the popularity of the event. It helped provide added funds to several scholarships during the fall semester.

Coser claims the foundation will be looking into adding the 5k run back to the program.

The central purpose and role of the MCN Scholarship Foundation Program established by the National Council is to promote self-sufficiency, proactive community participation, self-reliance, self-determination, tribal sovereignty, and a sustainable future for citizens through traditional gift-giving and support of academic scholarship, community initiatives, and research that benefit the growth and prosperity of communities.

Coser claims the foundations open to partnerships with organizations and individuals for scholarship funding opportunities. The foundation is considered a tribal government non-profit program qualified under Section 7871(a) of the Internal Revenue Service Code.  This status is only afforded to federally recognized tribes.  All contributions to the Scholarship Foundation Program are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

For more questions call the foundation at 918-732-7754 or visit http://creeknationfoundation.org/.

Results:

Muscogee Nation Gaming Enterprises 

(1^st Place Winners) $1,000

Team Members:

1. Joe Hicks
2. Randall Hicks
3. Galen Cloud
4. Noah Kaulay

Muscogee International 

(2nd Place Winners) $800

Team Members:

1. Ty Taylor
2. Matt McCutchen
3. Wade Pike
4. Jackie Cloyd

Muscogee Federal Credit Union 

(3^rd Place Winners) $600

Team Members:

1. Bill Foreman 
2. Sue McBride
3. Marissa Stockholm
4. Chris Stockholm