Event raises $27K for scholarship in fallen deputy’s honor

The Matthew Yates Memorial Basketball Tournament raised more than $27,000 for Clark State College in honor of the fallen Clark County deputy.

Tracy Yates, wife of Mat- thew Yates, helps plan and host the annual event, which was held last month at Tecumseh High School.

Her husband loved bas- ketball, she said previously.

“From his days playing at Hayward Middle School and South High School to his rec- reation league and pick-up games with friends, Matt was always up for a game of hoops,” Tracy Yates said.

In a tribute to the memory of Matthew Yates, a member of the Clark County Sher- iff ’s Office who was shot and killed in the line of duty on July 24, 2022, the funds will be dedicated by the college to the Matthew Yates Memo- rial Scholarship.

“The tournament show- cases our community’s commitment to honoring its heroes and this generous donation serves as a testa- ment to the profound impact Matthew had on the lives of those around him,” said Toni

Overholser, vice president of advancement and out- reach. “By providing finan- cial support to students who are pursuing careers in law enforcement and mental health, future scholarship recipients benefit from Matthew’s legacy.”

Scholarship recipients are students pursing certificates and degrees through the college’s School of Health, Human and Public Services, including the Basic Peace Officer Training Academy, of which Yates and his wife, Tracy, are both graduates.

In 2023, about $16,500 was raised from the first event, and $4,000 was awarded to students in the first semester. Donations to the Matthew Yates Memorial Scholarship can be made online at https:// slate.clarkstate.edu/register/ matthewyatesscholarship.

For more information about the colleges training academy, visit www. clarkstate.edu/academics/ basic-police-officer-inquiry-form or call Paul Weber, academy commander, at 937-328-6050.

For more information about the college’s degrees and certificates, visit www. clarkstate.edu/academics/ degrees-and-certificates.

CONTRIBUTED Organizers of the Matthew Yates Memorial Basketball Tournament presented Clark State College with a donation of more than $27,000 to help students pursuing careers in law enforcement and mental health. From left are Jacob Loney; Deputy Johnny Loney; Tracy Yates, Matthew’s wife; Amanda Loney; Clark State President Jo Alice Blondin; Caleb Loney; and Toni Overholser, Clark State Vice President of Advancement and Outreach.