This scholarship was established in 2025 by Matt and Amy Pearson to support students in the physical education and coaching programs at Martin Luther College and to encourage future WELS educators to strive for excellence in these important but sometimes overlooked areas of ministry.

In Matt’s words, “Amy and I were blessed with past athletic coaches and physical education teachers who not only taught the X’s and O’s of sports but the critical life lessons too. We are forever grateful for these teachers, coaches, and role models.”

The Pearsons believe that anyone can blow a whistle, set up a practice plan, or diagram a play. But champion coaches go further—they impact their players both on and off the field. “Champion coaches are the role models of life,” says Matt. Such coaches instill Christian values and teach their students and players how to commit, work hard, compete to win, lose with grace, and—most important—how to live their Christian faith boldly, confidently, and without apology.

They hope and pray that the recipients of this scholarship will strive to become champion coaches and/or physical education teachers.

Scholarship winners are students who are majoring or minoring in physical education or coaching with a 2.5 GPA or higher.