The Forrest Ward Scholarship Fund

Honoring a Legacy. Creating Opportunities. Changing Lives.

Every child deserves the opportunity to play, regardless of their family's financial circumstances.

The Forrest Ward Scholarship Fund was created in memory of my favorite coach, Forrest Ward. He was much more than a coach to me. He was a mentor, a teacher, and a friend who helped shape the person and coach I am today.

Forrest believed in people. He believed in giving kids opportunities, building their confidence, teaching them life lessons, and making sure they knew someone cared about them.

Through this scholarship fund, we carry on his legacy by honoring all requests for financial assistance from families experiencing hardship who want their children to participate in our Seattle Select and Roosevelt Select basketball programs.

Who Was Forrest Ward?

Forrest Ward was a Roosevelt High School graduate, Class of 1976, and one of the most beloved figures in the school's athletic history.

A standout football and track athlete, Forrest went on to play college football at Spokane Falls Community College before returning to do what he loved most: coach, teach, and mentor young people.

Beginning in 1979, Forrest spent parts of five decades coaching football, basketball, and track at Roosevelt. He also coached basketball at O'Dea alongside his former Roosevelt classmate Gregg Kalina.

But Forrest wasn't interested in being the head coach, receiving recognition, or standing in the spotlight. He simply wanted to make a difference in kids' lives.

While working as a Metro bus driver, athletic retail employee, and counselor at Washington State Children's Home, Forrest always found time to give back. He even brought young boys who didn't have fathers in their lives home to meet his own dad.

That's who Forrest was. He didn't just talk about helping kids. He lived it.

In February 2015, Forrest was inducted into the Roosevelt High School Athletic Hall of Fame in recognition of his remarkable dedication to generations of student-athletes.

Sadly, Forrest passed away on June 5, 2015, at the age of 57, from complications stemming from a devastating traffic accident nine years earlier.

His impact, however, lives on in the countless players, coaches, families, and friends whose lives he touched.

Carrying On His Legacy

Forrest taught me that coaching is about so much more than basketball. It's about relationships, mentorship, opportunity, and believing in young people.

That's exactly what we strive to provide through Seattle Select and Roosevelt Select.

We never want a family's financial circumstances to be the reason a child misses out on being part of a team.

The Forrest Ward Scholarship Fund helps families experiencing financial hardship by providing assistance with program fees so their children can participate, compete, develop their skills, build friendships, and learn lessons that last a lifetime.

We believe in helping every family that asks for assistance, just as Forrest believed in helping every kid who needed someone in their corner.

Your Donation Makes a Difference

Every contribution, no matter the amount, helps us continue this commitment.

Your generosity helps provide:

Financial Assistance: Scholarships that reduce or eliminate the cost of participation for families facing hardship.
Opportunity: Access to quality coaching, training, and competitive basketball.
Belonging: The chance for young athletes to be part of a team, build friendships, and develop confidence.
Life Lessons: Leadership, accountability, resilience, teamwork, and character development.

Whether you donate $25, $100, $500, or become a recurring monthly supporter, you're helping us open doors for kids who might otherwise miss out.

More Than a Scholarship. A Legacy.

Forrest Ward dedicated his life to helping young people become better athletes and, more importantly, better human beings.

This scholarship fund is our way of saying thank you and making sure his spirit of generosity, mentorship, and love for kids continues for generations to come.

Please consider making a donation to the Forrest Ward Scholarship Fund. Together, we can make sure every child has a chance to play.

With gratitude,

Coach Chase Young
Seattle Select Basketball & Roosevelt Select Basketball

In Loving Memory of Forrest Ward (1957–2015)