About this Scholarship

Brian Arthur Thiele was born September 16, 1971 in Kalamazoo, MI. He was finishing a degree in Logistics Management at Western Michigan University when, at the age of 22, his life was cut short as a result of an in-line skating accident while interning in Isny, Germany.

Brian, a 1990 graduate of Portage Northern High School, spent four years on the varsity soccer team. Although he loved to play the game, he found just as much as, if not more, excitement and pleasure on the sideline coaching. Thiele was the head junior varsity coach at Northern for a year, assistant varsity coach at Northern and coached several under-16 Premier TKO FC teams.

This scholarship, established by family and friends in memory of Brian Thiele, provides financial assistance to students who exhibit characteristics similar to those for which Brian is so fondly remembered. This includes playing varsity and/or club soccer, achievement of personal and academic goals, overcoming obstacles to meet his goals, competitive spirit, leadership and a special caring for community.

Scholarship Criteria

Student who is a permanent resident of Kalamazoo County or a student graduating from a high school within Kalamazoo County; four years of soccer during high school; community service; full-time enrollment at a college/university.