A decade ago, the life and tragic death of star Riverdale High football player Mitchell Maxwell inspired his family to honor the teen’s memory by creating a college scholarship for one deserving graduate who wants to pursue a career in teaching or coaching.
Over the years the Mitchell Maxwell Scholarship has been awarded only to Riverdale graduates.
“Mitchell was a proud graduate of Riverdale High School, and he loved his public-school experience. He loved football. And he loved his friends. And he loved the thought of pursuing his dreams of eventually being a college football coach by being an invited walk-on at Mississippi State. Sadly, that dream died with Mitchell, but Clair and I have continued to fuel that dream for one student a year via the Mitchell Maxwell Scholarship,” said Murfreesboro Councilman Austin Maxwell, Mitchell’s father.
Mitchell Maxwell graduated from Riverdale High School in 2013 and was an aspiring college football coach. He died on July 4th, less than two months after graduating.
Austin Maxwell told members of the Rutherford County School Board that he and wife Clair Maxwell, who’s also a school board member, decided to do something special to mark the tenth anniversary of their son’s death and for the 2024/2025 school year they’re opening the the Mitchell Maxwell Scholarship to every high school in the Rutherford County Schools district.
All eleven high schools will receive $1,000 to award to one student in April 2024. Each school’s principal will decide the scholarship winner.
“As we move onto the 11th year without him, Clair and I cannot think of a better way to honor his memory and help other students throughout the county by expanding the scholarship for this year’s Class of 2024. Eleven schools, eleven seniors who can benefit from a little extra boost in honor of him as they pursue their dreams beyond out wonderful Rutherford County Schools system.”
