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2. Alumnus creates track and field scholarship for CU-Lock Haven student-athletes

- When Glen Allison reflects on his time at Lock Haven, his memories aren't just about podium finishes or championship medals - they are about people, family and the moments that shaped him into the man he is today.

Now, through a recent gift to the Lock Haven University Foundation (LHUF) for the Glen Allison Track & Field Scholarship, Allison '94 is aiming to ensure today's Commonwealth University-Lock Haven cross country and track and field student-athletes have access to the same life-changing opportunities that helped define his own journey.

A graduate of Northeast High School in Philadelphia, Allison came to Lock Haven on a track scholarship, already familiar with central Pennsylvania from childhood hunting trips with his father. What he found at The Haven was more than an athletic home - it was a place where friendships, family support and confidence took root.

His competitive résumé is still etched into Lock Haven track and field history. As a freshman, Allison won the high jump at the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championships. As a senior, he captured the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference pole vault title, earned a national qualifying mark in the high jump and was voted Conference MVP for field events.

At the center of his Haven experience were his mom and dad, who traveled hours each weekend to attend meets. Their presence became a hallmark of the team's culture - and a defining influence on Allison's life.

The same complex where Allison once competed, since 2021, has bared his father's name - the Glen Allison Family Track & Field Complex at Hubert Jack Stadium. The naming honors, not only Allison's support of Lock Haven athletics, but also his parents' enduring commitment to the team. The major gifts provided by Allison for the complex naming and the scholarship felt like a natural extension of his parents' legacy - especially his father, Glen Allison Sr., who passed away in 2019.

The Glen Allison Track & Field Scholarship will be awarded at the discretion of head coach Aaron Russell '96, Allison's former teammate, roommate and lifelong friend. Their relationship reflects what Allison values most about The Haven.

"To know that almost five percent of the Lock Haven student body is on the track team now - that's a real community," Allison said. "After seeing the size and energy of this team, I really wanted to help more students. I also hope the scholarship helps with recruiting - the better Lock Haven performs, the more future leaders we'll attract."

For Allison, philanthropy, student mentorship and staying connected to Lock Haven are part of a personal commitment to keep growing - and to help others do the same.

Through the Glen Allison Track & Field Scholarship, that mindset now directly supports the next generation of Bald Eagles - student-athletes who, like Allison once did, are learning resilience on the track, confidence through competition, and leadership that will carry them forward far beyond campus.

"My experience is that Lock Haven student-athletes are future leaders," Allison said. "Any dollar that helps a student hit a performance goal builds confidence, strengthens their résumé and opens the door to new experiences."

"Coach Russell has built a family out of a team," he added. "I just want to be helpful in any way that I can."

Categories:

• Alumni
• Athletics
• Foundation - Lock Haven
• Scholarships

Tags:

• Alumni
• Philanthropy
• Scholarships