CYO Scholarships in the Diocese of Oakland

The Bill Ford Scholarship Awards are awarded each spring to three current 8th grade CYO players  to aid in their education.  The scholarships are named after long-time CYO director Bill Ford. The Bill Ford Scholarship Awards are funded by a grant from local foundation.

The Marty Mart Scholarship Award is awarded each January to an eighth grade girls' CYO volleyball player. This scholarship is named in honor of Marty Mart, longtime CYO Associate Director, who passed away in December 2002. Marty was active for many years in the CYO program and, at the time of his passing, was coaching Girls’ CYO Volleyball. In his honor, a scholarship is awarded and is funded by the girls' CYO volleyball program.

These scholarships are not awarded on the basis of skill in sports, but on the candidate’s participation in CYO, in understanding sportsmanship, and by exhibiting the Christian values that are goals of CYO. The scholarship is awarded to aid the athlete in continuing education in high school. Both Catholic school and public school students are encouraged to apply.

Applications, requirements and more information will be posted on this page when announced.

Three 2022 "Bill Ford" CYO scholarships have been awarded by the CYO Scholarship Committee. 
After a selection process with 28 8th grade CYO players appying and interviews, three were selected:

• Melissa Jimenez, St. Joseph, Fremont
• Dylan Navarro, Holy Spirit Fremont, and
• Tiburon Horvath, St. Philip Neri, Alameda

Each played in different CYO sports and leagues, but each shared the common bond of playing with "Spirtuality, Service to Others and Good Sportsmanship!"

Marissa Jimenez, Jr. played CYO Girls' Volleyball and CYO Basketball. She attended St. Joseph School, Fremont..
She wrote: "When I started playing CYO, I was immediately greeted with smiling faces from both sides of the court, each girl ready to join hands in prayer. I learned how to be a graceful winner and loser because of the setting that CYO athletics made.  Playing with the reminder that I played for myself, my freinds, my family, God and for fun helped me to keep a constant love for the sport that I so chose."
 
Dylan Navarro ran CYO Track and Field, and played CYO Basketball. He attended Holy Spirit School, Fremont.
He wrote: "I learned through my years at Holy Spirit School and through the many opportunities to engage in my faith that, 'we have a creator who has told us that anything is possible, that we were all all created in his likeness and image and we are made for excellence.'  In CYO excellence is defined as making sure that everybody is challenged and guided and taught according to each player's ability level."
 
Tiburon Horvath played CYO Basketball,  Boys' Sand Volleyball, ran CYO Cross Country and CYO Track.  He attended St. Philip Neri School, Alameda.
He wrote: "My first experience in CYO was in first grade on the cross county team.  I loved the sense of community and belonging, but what really endeared me was the sportsmanship shown by the athletes and spectators, all cheering for every single runner to cross the finish line."

Each of the awardees received $1000. for their continued education, funded by a local, genorous foundation. All will be attending Catholic High School in the fall. The awards were presented in a local Hayward park on a recent Saturday in June.

Top photo: L-R Tiburon, Marissa and Dylan
Center photo: Awardees with family members and scholarlship committee.
Bottom photo: Jim Solau (committee member and youth minister at St. Anne's parish, Union City) leads the awardees and families in prayer.

Catholic Youth Organization
Diocese of Oakland

2121 Harrison Street , Oakland CA 94612

bfordoakdiocese.org