GoFundMe set up for KU’s Scott ‘Scooter’ Ward, who is headed to Mayo Clinic in August
A GoFundMe account that as of Thursday night raised $91,000 has been set up for University of Kansas associate athletic director Scott “Scooter” Ward, who in mid-August will travel to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota to receive treatment for a medical condition.
Ward’s good friend, Mike Evers, representing a large number of Ward’s closest pals, on Wednesday night set up the fund for Ward, who for many years has been an academic counselor and mentor to Kansas basketball players.
Ward, who has a heart condition and kidney disease that requires dialysis, has now suffered acute skin breakdown, which is causing major health problems that have required two surgeries.
Evers reports: “He has done everything medically he can do locally and has decided to see specialists and surgeons at the Mayo Clinic to hopefully heal them for good. This final piece of the recovery puzzle could literally put him back in the driver seat and back to his strong and independent life he lived just four years ago (before heart problems required surgery).
“Next month, I will be driving him there (to Minnesota) because it’s a safer way for him to travel and because he likes my jokes,” Evers added in a summary on the GoFundMe page. “His compromised health puts him at higher risk of becoming ill if exposed to COVID-19, so surgery, follow-up care, and at least a six-week period of recovery in the Minneapolis area is in store. Scooter will be confined to a hospital bed, eight hours away from home, during a time when visitors are strictly limited.
“Although insurance is still very helpful, there are expenses that are not covered — tough at any time, but especially during the current economic climate. I am going to trust the expertise from the team at the Mayo Clinic to relieve the stress of his skin condition but I plan to reach out to as many as I can to help relieve the financial stress of this mission.
“Anything you are able to give is much appreciated. Please share his story and continue to spread the positive energy he has shared with so many. The world would be a better place if we had more people like Scooter,” Evers wrote.
For more information on Ward’s health history and current condition, check out the group’s gofundme page.
Ward’s wife, Robin, had this to say on Facebook: “Thank you, friends. Scooter isn’t active on Facebook, so I’m speaking for the both of us, but know from the bottom of our hearts this is overwhelming and humbling and deeply appreciated. We are excited about his upcoming stay at Mayo.”
The GoFundMe account, which was started at 10 p.m. Wednesday, has attracted some famous donors, including several former KU basketball players. One can see a list of donors on the GoFundMe page.
“I think this took a lot of people by shock,” Evers told The Star Thursday, referring to Ward’s current health problem. “It’s one of those things when Scooter got past those heart issues (four years ago) and you see him, you never realize anything else could be wrong.
“Any one of Scooter’s thousands of friends could have started this and the results would be the same. The common thread is Scooter and Robin, the way they have brightened people’s lives in so many ways.”
Evers is confident Ward will be OK.
“I have never seen Scooter not have a great attitude. This is another hurdle in his lane. No doubt he will attack it like he has in the past,” Evers said.
Some tributes to Ward have appeared on Twitter.
Former KU football player Joe Dineen wrote: “Scooter is the man, he helped and touched every person he came in contact with! Get better Scoot!!”
Former KU basketball player Tyler Self wrote: “Scooter has changed the lives of a countless number of people for the better and I’m lucky enough to have been one.”
Former KU basketball player Tyrel Reed wrote: “Please help out my man Scoot! He’s given so much to all of the Jayhawks! Blue heartRed heart.”
Former KU volleyball player Addie Barry wrote: “Scooter is one of the kindest, most selfless people I have ever met. Some call him a unicorn, bc it’s so hard to find someone so special. He goes above and beyond to impact every single person he meets. If you’re a KU fan, then you’re 110% a Scooter fan.”
Former Jayhawk basketball player Matt Kleinmann wrote: “Scooter is one of the toughest, nicest, and most caring people I know. Each Senior Night, it’s Scooter that players thank for their education. He won’t ask for it, but he could probably use a little care in return right now.”
Ex-Jayhawk guard Frank Mason said: “Love this man.”
Former KU guard/current Washburn coach Brett Ballard wrote: “Jayhawk Nation this is one of our own. Was the basketball teams academic advisor & has helped so many Jayhawks earn their diploma & succeed in life. He has been battling some serious health issues & needs our help. #RockChalk.”
This story was originally published July 30, 2020 at 5:45 PM with the headline "GoFundMe set up for KU’s Scott ‘Scooter’ Ward, who is headed to Mayo Clinic in August."
