Chris Sifford Memorial Foundation

Friends and family established the Chris Sifford Memorial Foundation in 2001 to ensure that his memory lives on by providing scholarships for young people interested in careers in journalism or public service. Approximately $100,000 has been raised to establish endowment funds at Chris' alma mater Missouri State University and University of Missouri-Columbia. 

To date, (June 2008) more than $53,000 has been donated toward scholarships for students attending Missouri State, placing the Chris Sifford Memorial Scholarship Fund in the Silver Medallion status. The Silver Medallion is awarded to those individuals, organizations, foundations, etc. whose charitable contributions have met at least $50,000 cumulative giving to Missouri State but not exceeded $99,999. The scholarship has been awarded to seven students at Missouri State since 2004.  

In addition to the Day at the Ballpark, the foundation hosts an annual Sifford Scramble in Jefferson City. This year’s golf tournament is scheduled for Aug. 8 at Eagle Knoll Golf Course, located between Jefferson City and Columbia off Highway 63.

All proceeds from Sifford Day at the Ballpark event will go to the scholarship fund at Missouri State for students. Preference will be given to students with a 3.0 or higher GPA from Greene, Boone, Cole, Audrain, Callaway, Moniteau, Cooper, Howard, Randolph and Stoddard counties.

Sifford grew up in the southeast Missouri town of Puxico, graduated from Southwest Missouri State University and worked for Springfield radio station KTTS and the Springfield News-Leader. He left the media in August 1992 to join Gov. Carnahan in his first gubernatorial race.

Sifford had moved from the Governor’s office to his campaign staff for Carnahan’s 2000 U.S. Senate bid. He was traveling with Gov. Carnahan in a Cessna 335 piloted by Randy Carnahan when the plane crashed during inclement weather on Oct. 16, 2000, in Jefferson County. He was 37.

“Those of us involved in organizing this event are deeply touched by the continued support of the many individuals who join us in ensuring that Chris’ legacy lives on through the Foundation,” said Brown, a Sifford family relative who lives in Springfield. “Chris was more than a cousin to me. He was someone who I looked up to – someone who touched lives and continues to do so today through the generosity of everyone involved.”

Chris Sifford Day at the Ballpark 5k

June - 2008

This event raises scholarship funds to honor the memory of Chris Sifford, a former Springfield journalist who was working as an aide to Gov. Mel Carnahan when they, along with the Governor’s son, were killed in a 2000 plane crash.

“Chris had all of the good qualities that people strive for in life. He showed love, passion, authenticity and humor in everything that he did,” said Clayton Brown, chairman of Chris Sifford Day at the Ballpark. “We hope that the community will join us again this year in celebration of his memory and his life.”

The 5K and 2.5K Walk/Run begins at 8 a.m. on June 28 at Hammons Field in downtown Springfield.  
 
The registration fee for the Walk/Run is $20 in advance and $25 on race day. Participants will receive one free ticket to the Springfield Cardinals game that evening against the Frisco RoughRiders (start time 6:10 p.m.), a T-shirt, as well as a personalized baseball card with their name, picture and race stats. Trophies will be awarded for the top three finishers in each age category. The First Place trophies are handcrafted, featuring a “home-plate” base and a game-used Missouri State University Bears baseball.

Entry forms and additional information about the event are available on-line on at www.eteamz.active.com/ChrisSiffordMemorial and at Ozark Mountain Ridge Runner’s Web site at www.omrr.org.  Information also is available at Ridge Runner Sports, 3057 S. Fremont Ave.

 

Sifford Scramble

June - 2008

Dear Friends and Golfers:

It’s been nearly eight years since our good friend, Chris Sifford, lost his life in an airplane accident.  We continue to celebrate his life and memory by remembering Chris’ friendship, witty personality and positive influence…and by maintaining our friendships with one another.

If you had the pleasure of knowing Chris, you are lucky.  He embodied the spirit of someone who actually wanted to serve or help others serve the people. His friends were many and came from a variety of backgrounds -- which is why the Sifford Scramble golf tournament is so fun. There will be bootheelians, hillbillies, beer makers, teachers, preachers, athletic personnel, and worst of all lawyers, bankers and consultants (ha ha).

You should be there too. No excuses allowed. We don't want to hear that you are playing golf with your father-in-law, or you are running a marathon, or you can't find a babysitter, or you are rearranging your sock drawer, or your boss will be in town, blah, blah, blah.   

Mark your calendar for Friday, August 8, 2008, and plan to compete in the Eighth Annual Sifford Scramble, which will be held at the scenic Eagle Knoll Golf Course in Hartsburg, Missouri (located between Jefferson City and Columbia off Highway 63). A noon shotgun start is scheduled, and your golf entry fee will include lunch, dinner and a raffle drawing for prizes, prizes, and more prizes.

Each year, those of us involved in the planning of the golf tournament are impressed with the turnout of golfers and generosity of everyone involved.  We hope you will join us again this year and participate in some way.

To date, the Sifford Scrambles have raised approximately $100,000 to establish endowment funds in Chris' memory at Missouri State University, his alma mater, and the University of Missouri-Columbia.  A $1,000 scholarship is awarded annually to a student at each school majoring in journalism or communications, and through the 2008-2009 academic year, 12 scholarships will have been awarded thanks to the generosity of supporters of the Sifford Scramble.

If you are unable to participate in the scramble, please consider attending the dinner and raffle following the round – it is a great opportunity to see old friends and meet many people who were touched by Chris in some way.  Thank you…your participation, donation and/or hole sponsorship is very much appreciated! 

Sincerely,

Joe Bednar, Jerry Nachtigal, Paul Pothoff, Sue Sifford and Roy Temple

Golf Tournament Chairs