Four Coaches Launch Bill Walton Scholarship Fund

Tommy Lloyd, Mick Cronin, Mark Few, and Matt Painter each donated $8,000 to start the Shine On Scholarship for young people overcoming homelessness.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Philanthropy

Four Coaches Launch Bill Walton Scholarship Fund

Live Poll

Would you donate to a fundraiser helping young people overcoming homelessness?

Four college head coaches donated a combined $32,000 to launch the Bill Walton Foundation's Shine On Scholarship, honoring Walton's jersey No. 32. Pat Kilkenny and Adam Cheyer pledged another $32,000, contingent on fans matching that amount.

Why it matters

The scholarships aim to open college opportunities for young people overcoming homelessness in San Diego, Los Angeles, Portland, and Boston, extending Walton's long record of helping young people. The matching challenge would bring the program's launch total to $128,000.

Four coaches gave $8,000 each for a $32,000 combined donation, with Kilkenny and Cheyer's $32,000 pledges tied to fan matching that would generate $128 per $32 fan gift. The final scholarship total depends on how many fans contribute, which has not been reported.

The players

Bill Walton

Hall of Fame center who starred at UCLA and was a two-time AP Player of the Year before his career in the NBA, and who co-founded the Lucky Duck Foundation in 2005.

Bill Walton Foundation

Charitable organization launched in Walton's honor to fund college scholarships for young people overcoming homelessness.

Tommy Lloyd

Head men's basketball coach at the University of Arkansas who donated $8,000 to the Shine On Scholarship.

Mick Cronin

Head men's basketball coach at UCLA who donated $8,000 to the Shine On Scholarship.

Mark Few

Head men's basketball coach at Gonzaga University who donated $8,000 to the Shine On Scholarship.

The details

Coaches Tommy Lloyd, Mick Cronin, Mark Few, and Matt Painter were recognized during both Hall of Fame Series games at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Monday. Fans can contribute through the Bill Walton Foundation's online donation page, where each $32 donation generates $128 toward scholarships.

1971–1974: Bill Walton starred at UCLA, earning AP Player of the Year twice.
2005: Walton co-founded the Lucky Duck Foundation.
2024: Walton died after a long battle with cancer.
Monday, November 2, 2026: Coaches were recognized at the Hall of Fame Series event in Las Vegas.

Legacy Extension

The Shine On Scholarship extends the youth-focused work Walton began through the Lucky Duck Foundation in 2005 into a new program that ties college access directly to his name. Coaches from programs Walton was connected to through his career are now funding it as a memorial effort.

Individuals wanting to support the scholarship can donate $32 through the Bill Walton Foundation's online page, with each gift generating $128 toward awards. Fan matching is the condition that unlocks the full $128,000 launch amount.

The takeaway

Small individual gifts can be multiplied through matching challenges, as the $32 fan donation model shows. Readers interested in youth housing and education support can consider similar contributions to local scholarship funds.