Jeff Daulton Memorial Scholarship Fund
Donation protected
Vision Statement: To support the education of students on the waterski team at The Ohio State University.
It is our privilege and joy to announce the foundation of the Jeff Daulton Memorial Scholarship Fund. To honor our beloved father, we have decided to start a scholarship fund which will support members of The Ohio State Waterski Team. Our dad’s story included two things from the very beginning – waterskiing and Ohio State.
Jeff is the son of Bill & Gene Daulton who were co-founders of the first waterski club in Columbus, OH. Much of the history of the sport in Columbus and the state of Ohio was birthed out of conversations that took place at their residence on Dublin Road overlooking the Scioto River. The Daultons spent much of “the good ole days” exploring the Scioto River, growing the ski community in Columbus, and competing in ski tournaments with friends across the state.
Our dad, the original Daulton ski baby, progressed through the ranks as a junior skier which included skiing at the state, regional, and national level. Many of his fondest memories included chasing EPs with his friends in the endless summer sun. Dad joined the waterski team at Ohio State which is where he met many of his life-long friends.
At Ohio State, Jeff studied finance while wearing swim trunks, a persona that caught the eye of a special girl, Coach Deb, while in class in Hagerty Hall. His role with the water ski team has evolved over the years, but the Daultons have remained integral in preserving this timeless tradition. Three of his children put up big scores for the Buckeyes, and his treasured wife, Debra, eventually took the position of coach. From afar, our dad has been the 5 MPH headwind that has bolstered the team for many years.
His love for the Buckeyes was unwavering and he often declared, “I’m a buckeye; I can’t help it.” He fell in love with Ohio State as a young boy after he attended his first game in the Shoe with big brother Billy. From then on, he and his Buckeyes were inseparable. He chose to attend The Ohio State University where he graduated with an Accounting and Finance degree. His first date with our mother was after an accounting midterm when they went to a beautiful quarry known as White Sulphur. From there, it was happily ever after for Jeff, Debbie, and the Buckeyes.
He instilled Buckeye values in his children who each carry a sheep skin from this beloved institution. As a season ticket holder, he survived the Cooper era, welcomed the Tressel and Urban eras with open arms, and enjoyed the reign of Ryan Day to the very end.
Jeff was more than a skier and a Buckeye, but he was definitely both. Dad believed that a degree from Ohio State could take you anywhere. Dad was wise, generous, and a visionary like his dad. He preached the value of academics and athletics with fervor, the two of which he referred to as the two As in life. It is our hope that this award would serve as a 5 MPH headwind to a student that supports the waterski team with humility and strength. We value dedication over performance, and passion more than skill.
In that spirit, we will award a scholarship each year to a deserving student on the waterski team at Ohio State to help support their education. If you'd like to contribute, 100% of your contribution will go to the annual scholarship award in addition to the contribution that our family will make. If you'd prefer to donate via check, you can always send a donation to the family's home address. Thank you and Go Bucks!
It is our privilege and joy to announce the foundation of the Jeff Daulton Memorial Scholarship Fund. To honor our beloved father, we have decided to start a scholarship fund which will support members of The Ohio State Waterski Team. Our dad’s story included two things from the very beginning – waterskiing and Ohio State.
Jeff is the son of Bill & Gene Daulton who were co-founders of the first waterski club in Columbus, OH. Much of the history of the sport in Columbus and the state of Ohio was birthed out of conversations that took place at their residence on Dublin Road overlooking the Scioto River. The Daultons spent much of “the good ole days” exploring the Scioto River, growing the ski community in Columbus, and competing in ski tournaments with friends across the state.
Our dad, the original Daulton ski baby, progressed through the ranks as a junior skier which included skiing at the state, regional, and national level. Many of his fondest memories included chasing EPs with his friends in the endless summer sun. Dad joined the waterski team at Ohio State which is where he met many of his life-long friends.
At Ohio State, Jeff studied finance while wearing swim trunks, a persona that caught the eye of a special girl, Coach Deb, while in class in Hagerty Hall. His role with the water ski team has evolved over the years, but the Daultons have remained integral in preserving this timeless tradition. Three of his children put up big scores for the Buckeyes, and his treasured wife, Debra, eventually took the position of coach. From afar, our dad has been the 5 MPH headwind that has bolstered the team for many years.
His love for the Buckeyes was unwavering and he often declared, “I’m a buckeye; I can’t help it.” He fell in love with Ohio State as a young boy after he attended his first game in the Shoe with big brother Billy. From then on, he and his Buckeyes were inseparable. He chose to attend The Ohio State University where he graduated with an Accounting and Finance degree. His first date with our mother was after an accounting midterm when they went to a beautiful quarry known as White Sulphur. From there, it was happily ever after for Jeff, Debbie, and the Buckeyes.
He instilled Buckeye values in his children who each carry a sheep skin from this beloved institution. As a season ticket holder, he survived the Cooper era, welcomed the Tressel and Urban eras with open arms, and enjoyed the reign of Ryan Day to the very end.
Jeff was more than a skier and a Buckeye, but he was definitely both. Dad believed that a degree from Ohio State could take you anywhere. Dad was wise, generous, and a visionary like his dad. He preached the value of academics and athletics with fervor, the two of which he referred to as the two As in life. It is our hope that this award would serve as a 5 MPH headwind to a student that supports the waterski team with humility and strength. We value dedication over performance, and passion more than skill.
In that spirit, we will award a scholarship each year to a deserving student on the waterski team at Ohio State to help support their education. If you'd like to contribute, 100% of your contribution will go to the annual scholarship award in addition to the contribution that our family will make. If you'd prefer to donate via check, you can always send a donation to the family's home address. Thank you and Go Bucks!
Organizer
Debra Daulton
Organizer
Dublin, OH
