J.T. Riddle Student Athlete of the Year Scholarship

JT Riddle is a professional baseball player that grew up in Franklin County and is a

2010 graduate of Western Hills High School. In 2010, JT was named “Mr. Kentucky

Baseball.” He then enrolled at the University of Kentucky where he played baseball for

the Wildcats. In 2013, JT was drafted into Major League Baseball and played for

several different teams, including the Miami Marlins and the Pittsburg Pirates.

In 2019, JT made a donation to WeWannaPlay to establish a scholarship program for

graduating high school student athletes who play KHSAA sanctioned varsity sports in

either the Franklin County Public School district or the Frankfort Independent School

district.

Through an application process, a total of three (3) male student athletes and three (3)

female student athletes (one from each public high school) will be selected to receive

scholarships. Of these recipients, two (2) males and two (2) females will be selected to

receive the JT Riddle WEWANNAPLAY Recognition Scholarships and one (1) male and

one (1) female will be selected to receive the JT Riddle Student Athlete of the Year

Scholarships. Each of these scholarships is a one-time payment and is not renewable.

 Must be a graduating student athlete enrolled in the Franklin County School district

or in the Frankfort Independent School district in Frankfort, Kentucky;

 Must have a 2.5 GPA or higher upon graduating high school;

 Must be a student athlete who is listed on the varsity team roster as a player in a

KHSAA sanctioned sport within the high school they are currently attending;

 Must be a biological male listed on a male varsity team roster;

 Must be a biological female listed on a female varsity team roster;

 Must be positive in all aspects of the sport(s) to include, but not limited to,

interactions with officials, coaches, teammates, and competitors;

 Must be a role model for future student athletes;

 Must be a leader in their school and community;

 Must be enrolled in public or private college, university, or vocational/trade school;

 Must be a US citizen.

Each student athlete shall develop a portfolio containing the following:

 Verification of a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale;

 Two (2) letters of recommendations: one (1) from a coach and one (1) from a

community member or school administrator. The letters should include promoting

the student as exhibiting the traits of a leader on the playing field and exhibiting

sportsmanship and also traits of a leader outside the playing field;

 Citizenship/Sportsmanship/Leadership roles within the school and community.

Citizenship roles in clubs, community service, civic groups, and/or community

involvement. Sportsmanship conduct on and off the playing field and respect the

rules. Leadership roles or offices for clubs, civic and/or charitable events;

 Essay – A minimum of 200 words and a maximum of 500 words. Topic: What does

community service mean to you? Why community service is important for your

community and how it makes a difference. Give examples.

WeWannaPlay, Inc. reserves the right that if at any time an applicant or recipient does

not meet the eligibility requirements set forth above or exhibits any conduct that is

unacceptable, that all awards may be forfeited and/or cancelled.

There will be a total of three (3) male winners and a total of three (3) female winners that

will be selected to receive scholarships. Of the applications submitted from Franklin

County High School, one (1) male and one (1) female will be selected; of the applications

submitted from Western Hills High School, one (1) male and one (1) female will be

selected; of the applications submitted from Frankfort High School, one (1) male and one

(1) female will be selected. If no applications are received from male athletes from a

specific high school, then no scholarships will be awarded for that category for that

specific high school nor shall a substitute from another high school fill it. If no applications

are received from female athletes from a specific high school, then no scholarships will

be awarded for that category for that specific high school nor shall a substitute from

another high school fill it. All qualifications must be met by the applicant in order to receive

a scholarship.

 JT Riddle Athlete of the Year Scholarship

One (1) male and one (1) female each will be selected to receive this scholarship,

each receiving a $500.00 scholarship to be made payable to the recipient.

 JT Riddle WEWANNAPLAY Recognition Scholarship

Two (2) males and two (2) females each will be selected to receive this scholarship,

each receiving a $250.00 scholarship to be made payable to the recipient.

March 30, 2025 

Deadline date for submission of application and portfolio items.

Applications and portfolio items turned in after this date will not be

reviewed or considered.

May 1, 2025 

Announcement of each male and each female finalist from each high

school will be announced by the WEWANNAPLAY, Inc., JT Riddle

Scholarship Program Committee.

June 30, 2025 

Scholarship funds distribution.

Download the application and follow the guidelines contained within.