What Makes The Joe Franklin Scholarship Unique?

Life is never a black or white situation when it comes to education. Generally, scholarships are rewarded specifically for academics, for athletes and/or housing. While this is great, many forget that students have lives.

Our scholarship is all-inclusive meaning high school, college and post-graduate students are eligible for it and we are not bound to any school. We strive to make the student(s) feel supported. We want to help ensure they can continue their journey of higher education. We want to help students need not as many loans.

Your donation whether monetary or in-kind for raffles will help this!

Examples:

• A college student may not live on campus and they need money for transportation to and from school. 
• An out-of-state student may not have money to go home the holidays.
• Textbooks/E-Books are expensive. A student may fall behind in a class due to being unable to make the purchase.
• Basic needs: Clothing, Toiletries, Feminine Supplys, Bedding, Lighting, etc are needed but not always affordable.
• We live in a world that is built on electronics. It's necessary to at least have a laptop. Some schools provide it and others don't. 
• Athletic wear and gear are not cheap. It can be a financial struggle to afford them.

Who Is Joe Franklin?

Joseph "Joe" Franklin was the excellence of execution in every aspect of life. He had a strong and reputive history in Louisiana and his second home, New York. Obviously, we know he was a beyond superb track athlete. Many don't know that he had a genuine passion for helping others. 

He believed that everyone should have an equal opportunity at success. He believed in second chances. He wanted everyone to know that they matter and had a purpose in life. He could lift-up anyone's spirit during the worst time of their life whether it was through his quick witt, humor or infectious smile. To him, no one was a stranger. He never wanted anyone to suffer in silence or feel they couldn't speak to someone.

 

Joe Franklin was not just a person an athlete should strive to be. Everyone should want to be the humanitarian he was. His legacy will and must live on through his Scholarship.

 

 

Fun Facts about Joe Franklin

- In October 2023, Joe was posthumously rewarded The Trailblazer Award by his college, Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO).

In 2012, he was inducted into SUNO's inaugural Hall of Fame with his teammates who won the 1975 NCAA Division III Championship.

As mentioned on SUNO's website, the track team were very much characters with Joe undoubtedly being their "leader". They had a hilarious group chat but also supported each other through the trials and tribulations of life.

- Joe enlisted his daughter, Jessica, to write his induction speech. Showing his fun demeanor, he specifically had her write the speech to the lyrics and beat of "Mothership Connection (Starchild)" by Parliament.

-Joe taught numerous adults how to read and never made them feel embarrassed if they learned later in life. He, himself, learned American Sign Language to better communicate with those who were non-verbal.

-Joe participated in the Junior Olympics and the Olympic Trials.

-In 1986, Joe had the opportunity to be an Event Director of the Special Olympics and loved it.

-Joe co-organized an annual school supply drive from 2018 through 2022 for students in need. In 2022 alone, he helped in getting over 30 backpacks donated with each bag containing over $100 of supplies.

 

 

 

Limited Track Statistics & Accomplishments

Southern University at New Orleans

Major: Business Administration / Minor: Economics

• National Black Sport Foundation: College Athlete of the year 1974
• NCAA Div III Champion: 100 and 200 meters, 1975, 76
• NCAA Div III Champion: 400 meter Relay: 1975, 76, 77
• All American in the 100, 200 and 400 meter relay: 1974, 1975, 1976 and 1977
• Undefeated in the 200 meters; 1975 and 76
• NAIA Indoor 55 meters Champion: 1976
• SUNO Record Holder: 100 yards - 9.2 seconds, 1974
• 100 meters – 9.83 seconds, 1975
• 200 meters – 20.87 seconds, 1976
• 55 meter – 6.32 seconds, 1977

Ranked 6th in the USA and 10th in the world: 100 meters – 1976

 

Please contact us by email after JoeFranklinScholarship@gmail.com or (504)208-8708 for more details or questions.