Established in 2009

Eligibility: Those students eligible to apply should be graduating seniors from Rutherford County, Tennessee public high schools who plan to attend Middle Tennessee State University and have a minimum grade point average of 2.75 and/or meet the eligibility criteria for the Tennessee Lottery if applicable, be of good moral character and have financial need.

Coach Ken Shipp was born and raised in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He had a distinguished coaching career including stints at several colleges both as a head coach and as an offensive coordinator before he moved to the National Football League. During his time in the NFL, Coach Shipp was offensive coordinator with the Houston Oilers, New Orleans Saints, Detroit Lions, and the New York Jets. During his tenure with the New York Jets, he was appointed the head coach during the storied Joe Namath years.

Coach Shipp credits his success to his Rutherford County roots and the fine education he received at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). He has always been interested in furthering the education of potential high school graduates and in continuing his support of MTSU. For this reason, he established this Scholarship. Eligibility: Those students eligible to apply should be graduating seniors from Rutherford County, Tennessee public high schools who plan to attend Middle Tennessee State University and have a minimum grade point average of 2.75 and/or meet the eligibility criteria for the Tennessee Lottery if applicable, be of good moral character and have financial need.