Lee, Hill and Johnston will help to fund the newly created Coach J.E. Rowe Scholarship for deserving Georgia Southern students. The scholarship was established by GSU and The College of Health and Human Sciences, and will be given on a yearly basis to a high-need GSU student with a preference given to Health and Kinesiology majors, student-athletes or students working with an athletic program.
    The scholarship was announced and Rowe was honored at the GSU baseball and basketball games Saturday. Rowe threw out the ceremonial first pitch of the baseball game at 1:30 p.m. and was honored before the basketball team played UNCG at 7:30 p.m.
    This marks the third scholarship the agency helps to fund at GSU, and demonstrates a consistent and avid support of both university athletics and academics.
    The scholarship is in tribute to Rowe, who played baseball and basketball and later served as head basketball coach for the Eagles.
    Rowe graduated with a Health and Kinesiology degree from Georgia Southern in 1961. Rowe played 52 games and scored 606 points during his career as guard for the basketball team. His top season was during his senior year with a 16.2-point scoring average and 72 assists. Rowe also starred for the baseball squad as a centerfielder, earning All-American first team honors and batting .321 as a junior. After graduation, he signed professional contracts with the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers.
    Rowe was appointed head basketball coach at Atlanta's Avondale High School in 1963, and led his team to the Georgia AAA Tournament two out of four years. Afterward, Rowe returned to Georgia Southern to serve as assistant coach and head recruiter for Frank Radovich. In 1970, Rowe became head basketball coach. He coached for four seasons, compiling a 57-46 record as the Eagles moved to NCAA Division I. Rowe went 19-7 in his final season.
    Those interested in making a financial contribution to the scholarship can do so one of two ways: online at http://welcome.georgiasouthern.edu/foundation/ under the “Give Now” section or by mailing a check to the Georgia Southern University Foundation at P.O. Box 8053, Statesboro, GA 30460. Please designate that the funds are earmarked for account 3690 or for the Coach J.E. Rowe Scholarship.