Hello and thank you for considering donating!

As you know, Zack's mother, Andrea, passed away unexpectedly three weeks before his high school graduation. Andrea and I had spoken at length about how excited we both were about him and his hard work to make college football and secondary education a reality. Zack was courted by various schools, and after a recruiting visit to College of the Redwoods in Northern California, as a group, we chose this option for him for a variety of reasons, the primary one being their clear dedication to giving players the educational tools they would need to move on to a D1 or D2 program. Zack was one of a small number of players invited to join the team from a group of possible players recruited nationally! Coaches informed us that they receive at least 1,500 calls/emails a year from high school coaches across the nation trying to get their kids in, and Zack will be playing with players from all over the country.

When Andrea left us, she not only left a devastated son and family, she left a large gap in her part of funding Zack's college endeavors, both of us agreeing to contribute equally to his two years at COTR before his hopeful scholarship transfer to a D1 or D2 school (Zack did not receive any scholarships for this upcoming school year as I am told some of you were informed otherwise). Zack's total expenses yearly with room and board and tuition is estimated at $17,000, $34,000 across the two years. I am working to get on track with financial aid, as we had originally planned to pay outright between the two of us for this, but until that works out, I am paying this on my own. Due to her marital situation and other factors, Zack will receive nothing from Andrea's estate, was apparently not named in her life insurance policy, and we are even having difficulty procuring literally anything she owned for even sentimental purposes. Zack has been, quite literally, left with nothing but memories and photos from his mother's life.

I want to make it clear I am not asking for a handout. I originally did not even plan to ask family and friends for anything. We can and will work it out, and as has always been the case, everything I do in life is with the goal of making sure Zack has all the opportunities available to him to have a positive and successful college career and life. Throughout the process of connecting or reconnecting with people I haven't spoken to in many years due to Andrea and my separation years ago, some of you have asked that I create this opportunity for you to help with Zack's situation. Zack himself is very unsure about asking anyone for help, but as he faces difficulty with his involvement (or lack thereof) in Andrea's affairs after her passing due to various reasons beyond his control, I do think he will come around to the idea. The last thing on his mind is money or asking for it. But as his sole remaining parent, it's paramount that I explore all the options available to me, and as I said, this one has been suggested by many members of Andrea's extended family.

Please do not feel like you have to donate in any way, I am just providing the option for those that have asked. I will provide updates on any money that is spent and how it is spent in order to be as transparent as possible as to what will be done with any funds that are received.

Shortly before her passing, Andrea expressed to me how excited she was for the both of us to take Zack to his move-in day and help him set up his dorm. July 21st is that day. Unfortunately, it will be just Zack and I now, but I am confident he will be successful and that she will be proud of him and there with us in spirit.

Thank you again,

Ty Walker