THE SPIRIT OF 76 SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Honoring the 50th Anniversary of Eastwood’s 76 State Championship Team

The 50th anniversary of Eastwood High School’s 1976 State Championship team became a weekend that surpassed every expectation. What unfolded wasn’t just a celebration — it was a homecoming filled with pride, gratitude, and a renewed sense of purpose.

From the team‑hosted dinner, to the tour of the beautifully restored campus, to the inspiring game that closed the weekend, every moment gave the former Troopers a chance to reflect on their journey and consider how to pass their legacy forward to today’s rising athletes.

Introducing the Eastwood Spirit of ’76 Scholarship Fund

To carry that legacy into the future, the Eastwood Spirit of ’76 Scholarship Fund has been established.

This fund honors the values that defined the 1976 team — work ethic, character, and ambition — by supporting promising Eastwood basketball graduates.

Each year, the scholarship will be awarded to a deserving student‑athlete pursuing further education at a college or trade school. The mission is simple and powerful: to encourage lifelong learning and empower young Troopers to take confident steps toward their futures. This is a 10 year commitment.

How to Support the Scholarship

We invite you to help sustain this meaningful initiative. Contributions may be made through our PayPal account or by mailing a check to:

Eastwood Spirit of ’76

Scholarship Fund

71 Camille

El Paso, TX 79912

All donations are tax‑deductible, and the scholarship is intended to be awarded annually.

Your support ensures that the Spirit of ’76 continues to inspire Troopers for generations.

April 25, 2026 — Jerry Krampen, Darold Molix, and Doug Rutter sat down to discuss the launch of the inaugural Spirit of ’76 Scholarship Fund, a new annual award created to honor the legacy of Eastwood High School’s 1976 State Championship team.

During the conversation, the three reflected on the team’s 50‑year journey, the values that shaped their success, and the responsibility they now feel to invest in the next generation of Troopers. They outlined the purpose of the scholarship, the 10‑year commitment made by the ’76 players, and their shared vision for supporting Eastwood’s outstanding boys basketball athletes as they pursue education beyond high school.

The discussion marked the first public step in carrying the Spirit of ’76 forward — from a historic championship team to a living legacy of opportunity.

May 2, 2026 — Former Eastwood Basketball Coach Peter Morales and Doug Rutter met to discuss the growing impact of the Spirit of ’76 Scholarship Fund, the new annual award created to honor the legacy of Eastwood’s 1976 State Championship team.

In their conversation, Coach Morales reflected on the program’s tradition of discipline, identity, and accountability — values that align directly with the purpose of the scholarship. Together, they spoke about the responsibility to support Eastwood’s top boys basketball athletes, the 10‑year commitment made by the ’76 players, and the importance of creating real opportunities for students pursuing education beyond high school.

The discussion underscored how the Spirit of ’76 has evolved from a historic championship moment into a living commitment to the next generation of Troopers.