The Joe Bachus Memorial Soccer Scholarship was established in 2007 to provide a scholarship for Franklin County High School students who have participated at least two years in the soccer program, one year as a senior.
Joe Bachus, the 17-year-old son of Tom and Pam (Brown) Bachus and brother to John, Charlie and Elizabeth, lost his life on December 7, 2006, while traveling to school on icy roads.
Joe’s passion for life was evident in everything he did; whether competing at the 4-H fair (8-year-member), playing soccer and baseball, participating in scouts or playing paintball with friends.
He started playing soccer on Saturday league games at the age of six. He grew to love the sport more every year he participated. Entering high school, he made the varsity soccer program. He started at the defensive sweeper position as a freshman, sophomore and junior. It was Joe’s wish that more people would play soccer and that the school would support the team so that it could become a force in the Eastern Indiana Athletic Conference.
The Joe Bachus Memorial Soccer Scholarship was established in the Franklin County Community Foundation to help his dream come true. The scholarship will be awarded annually to a Franklin County High School student who participated in the boy’s soccer program. The scholarship is not based on academics. The student must have a positive attitude, be a hard worker and have a love for the game of soccer.