California Golden Bears Athletics
The Donald R. Foster Track & Field Scholarship supports a student-athlete's academic and athletic success.
Photo by: Cal Athletics
Foster Scholarship Secures Student-Athletes’ Success
6/10/2024 9:47 AM | Track & Field, Cal Athletics Fund
Honorific Scholarship Supports Member Of Cal Track & Field Team
BERKELEY – Barbara Foster sees a lot of her late husband, Don, in Cal thrower Jasmine Blair. And it's not just because of her surname.
Foster's maiden name is also Blair, but that's not where the reasons end why Jasmine Blair is the perfect fit for the inaugural Donald R. Foster Track & Field Scholarship. Blair's values as a student-athlete are reminiscent of what Foster's were like – passion, selflessness, and being a great teammate.
"Barbara said it was a stroke of fate that I received the scholarship, and that I remind her of him in many senses," said Blair, who finished as the runner-up in the discus at last month's Pac-12 Championships and ranks No. 2 in program history in the event. "That made me happier than the scholarship itself."
Barbara Foster created the scholarship in memory of Don, who competed on the Cal track & field and cross country teams in the 1950s. Don set a course record during a cross country victory over Stanford in 1958.
What really set Don Foster apart was his love of life, humility, and an uncanny knack for putting people at ease.
"It was important to me that by following his lead to give and support student-athletes, his life will continue to be honored in perpetuity, particularly with the sport he lived and loved so much," Foster said. "The scholarship is truly that gift that keeps on giving, and I am very happy to know that it will continue to honor a very special man."
The Donald R. Foster Track & Field Scholarship is part of Cal's Honorific Scholarship Program, which helps secure a student-athlete's academic and athletic success during his or her time at Cal. A pledge of $100,000 or more establishes an annual honorific scholarship over a four-year period.
Foster and Blair have been able to connect multiple times since Blair received the scholarship, including over lunch with Foster and her friends and family.
"(Blair) is an incredibly outstanding and talented Golden Bear," Foster said. "I left her knowing she valued and appreciated the gift from another very special Cal Bear. That joy and comfort I felt continues to embrace me every day."
To make a gift to the Donald R. Foster Scholarship Fund, click here.
Foster's maiden name is also Blair, but that's not where the reasons end why Jasmine Blair is the perfect fit for the inaugural Donald R. Foster Track & Field Scholarship. Blair's values as a student-athlete are reminiscent of what Foster's were like – passion, selflessness, and being a great teammate.
"Barbara said it was a stroke of fate that I received the scholarship, and that I remind her of him in many senses," said Blair, who finished as the runner-up in the discus at last month's Pac-12 Championships and ranks No. 2 in program history in the event. "That made me happier than the scholarship itself."
Barbara Foster created the scholarship in memory of Don, who competed on the Cal track & field and cross country teams in the 1950s. Don set a course record during a cross country victory over Stanford in 1958.What really set Don Foster apart was his love of life, humility, and an uncanny knack for putting people at ease.
"It was important to me that by following his lead to give and support student-athletes, his life will continue to be honored in perpetuity, particularly with the sport he lived and loved so much," Foster said. "The scholarship is truly that gift that keeps on giving, and I am very happy to know that it will continue to honor a very special man."
The Donald R. Foster Track & Field Scholarship is part of Cal's Honorific Scholarship Program, which helps secure a student-athlete's academic and athletic success during his or her time at Cal. A pledge of $100,000 or more establishes an annual honorific scholarship over a four-year period.
Foster and Blair have been able to connect multiple times since Blair received the scholarship, including over lunch with Foster and her friends and family.
"(Blair) is an incredibly outstanding and talented Golden Bear," Foster said. "I left her knowing she valued and appreciated the gift from another very special Cal Bear. That joy and comfort I felt continues to embrace me every day."
To make a gift to the Donald R. Foster Scholarship Fund, click here.
Players Mentioned
Throws
/ Track & FieldSaturday, August 29
Friday, August 28
Friday, August 28
Thursday, August 27
