Evans Scholars to attend Arizona State University in 2026

Arizona State University becomes 28th partner university

GLENVIEW, Ill. — Leaders from the Evans Scholars Foundation (ESF) and Arizona State University have announced a new partnership, with the inaugural class of Evans Scholars to attend Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona, beginning next fall.

Organization and university officials, along with donors, youth caddies and their families, and other special guests attended a football game on Saturday, Nov. 15, at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe, where they announced the partnership on the field.

ASU will become the ESF’s 28^th partner university. The school is now included as an option for local applicants to attend on this year’s Evans Scholarship application, and the first group of up to 10 Evans Scholars will be enrolled at ASU in the fall of 2026. Eventually, as many as 50 Evans Scholars could attend ASU each year.

The ESF provides full housing and tuition scholarships to student caddies who show financial need and academic and leadership excellence. Currently, a record 1,260 students are attending 27 universities nationwide on an Evans Scholarship.

Arizona continues to be a major area of growth for the Midwestern-based Evans Scholars Program, and the university will be the ESF’s “gateway to the Southwest,” organization leaders say.

“Our new partnership with Arizona State will help us expand our reach and impact in a new area, while giving future Evans Scholars an opportunity to live and learn together in a supportive community,” said WGA Chairman Steve Colnitis. “We’re excited to establish a new legacy for young caddies throughout the state of Arizona who will have an opportunity to earn a life-changing Evans Scholarship.”

"Arizona State University is proud to become the newest partner in the Evans Scholars Program, a transformative initiative that aligns with our charter and our commitment to access, excellence and student success,” said ASU President Michael Crow.  “Students are rewarded for work and experience, and by welcoming Evans Scholars to ASU, we are supporting high-achieving student caddies whose character and leadership reflect the best of what higher education can offer. We look forward to building a vibrant community of scholars who will thrive at ASU and go on to lead and inspire."

Future Evans Scholars could come from the Tucson and Phoenix areas and other surrounding areas. The Western Golf Association, which oversees the ESF, runs a growing youth caddie program out of public courses Papago Golf Club and Encanto 9 Golf Course in Phoenix. Many private clubs in Arizona also are developing or growing youth caddie programs, including Arizona Country Club, Desert Forest Golf Club, Desert Mountain Club, The Estancia Club, Tucson Country Club, Whisper Rock Golf Club and White Mountain Country Club. New youth caddie programs will begin next year at Desert Highlands Golf Club, Forest Highlands Golf Club and Paradise Valley Country Club.

The Evans Scholars Program focuses on community living as a crucial aspect of the program, helping scholars develop strong leadership, collaboration and communication skills. The program has a 98 percent graduation rate.