Evan R. Hansen Legacy Foundation has now raised over $350,000
By RICHIE HALL
NOBLESVILLE – The sixth annual Evan R. Hansen Legacy Foundation golf outing took place last Saturday at Pebble Brook Golf Course in Noblesville.
A total of 164 golfers participated in the golf outing. (Margaret Fallin)
The tournament benefitted the foundation, which began as a tribute to Guerin Catholic graduate Evan Hansen, who passed away in 2018 while a student and football player at Wabash College. The foundation creates scholarships for students that are entering the medical field and promotes mental health awareness in the community, according to its website (www.erh32.org/about-us)
Chuck Hansen, Evan’s father, said that including this year’s tournament, the foundation has raised “in excess of $350,000 over six years.” Hansen said the foundation annually gives out $50,000 to $75,000.
“The money goes to the Evan R. Hansen Legacy Foundation and then we distribute to other charities that foster and support Evan’s legacy,” said Chuck Hansen. “That includes scholarships at Guerin Catholic, we have an endowed scholarship. Marian University. We sponsor a summer intern at the Merciful HELP Center. We’re working to create an endowed scholarship at Wabash College.”
Another organization that receives money from the foundation include the Concussion Legacy Foundation, which Chuck Hansen said is “investigating, furthering research and advocacy for concussions and CTE and the impacts of repetitive impacts on people.” CTE stands for chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a brain disorder that is caused by repeated head injuries.
Guerin Catholic assistant football coach Steven Shackelford was one of the participants in the golf outing. (Margaret Fallin)
The foundation also supports the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and FOCUS, a Catholic outreach organization.
The tournament began with mass at the Guerin Catholic chapel, followed by registration for the tournament. Charleston’s provided a burger bar for lunch, followed by announcements.
After that, the players headed on to the course. A total of 164 golfers participated in the tournament, including many friends of Evan Hansen.
“It’s important to understand the reasons why Evan’s not with us and his death, which is something we’re working on, but also, the kind of person Evan was when he was alive attracted a lot of people,” said Chuck Hansen. Chuck and Mary Hansen, Evan’s mother, greeted each group as they came on to the No. 3 hole.
“He was very humble and kind-hearted,” said Chuck Hansen. “He was also a good athlete and football player. A lot of people miss him, so this is a chance for us to celebrate his legacy and then point out some of the things that really reflect the kind of person that Evan was.”
This year’s winning team at the outing was Aaron Hacherl, Luke Hacherl, Mike Fremion and John Dewaal with a score of 50, or 22 under par. The team won in a tiebreak.
Golf participant Cullan Magnuson talks with Evan Hansen’s parents, Chuck and Mary Hansen. (Richie Hall)
The foundation announced at the outing that it will give $10,000 to the following four organizations: Merciful HELP Center (tools for school summer intern), Marian University (Evan’s nursing scholarship), Guerin Catholic High School (Evan’s scholarship) and Concussion Legacy Foundation. The foundation will also donate $3,200 to FOCUS and is setting aside money to establish a future fund at Wabash College.
Will Hagenow volunteered to sit in the dunk tank, which offered golfers a chance to dunk him for a free t-shirt, hat, or golf shirt. (Kimberley Wright)