SCHOLARSHIPS
Every year, the Rod Dedeaux Foundation awards a $7,500 college scholarship to one male baseball player and one female softball player from the Compton Youth Academy.
This scholarship is renewable annually (4 years, $30K total) provided the winners maintain a 3.0 grade point average (GPA). In order to be a scholarship candidate, applicants must initially complete the full application, which includes an essay, their current transcripts, their families’ current financial data, and a letter of recommendation. Once all applications are received, applicants complete an interview with the Compton Youth Academy scholarship committee. The committee scores the applicants on a scale of 1-5 in 5 categories: Athletics, Academics (GPA), Community Service (Philanthropy), involvement at the MLB UYA, and financial need. Once all interviews and scoring are complete, the winners are chosen. To date, RDF has awarded over $400,000 through scholarship funds.
We are grateful to our annual Scholarship Sponsor, Kennedy Wilson, for their ongoing support and commitment to the youth in our community and for making this scholarship possible year after year.
YOUTH CLINIC
In partnership with Educational Sports Institute (ESI), Rod Dedeaux Foundation hosts our annual Youth Clinic, where more than 300 middle-schoolers from the Compton Unified School District gather at Dominguez Hills High School, Dodgers Dream Field and other locations, to participate in baseball and softball instructional stations and competitions.
Coaches range from current high school and collegiate players, to current and former MLB players. In addition to a valuable day on the field, the participants are provided with breakfast, lunch, exciting giveaways and memories to last a lifetime. Additionally, our longtime friend and supporter, Don Buford, hosts a Tee Ball Clinic for 1,000+ elementary kids. These annual clinics have a significant impact on our youth – both on and off the field.
