Grosserode Memorial Scholarship Awarded to Pius X Senior Alex Kerr
Alex Kerr, a senior offensive lineman and linebacker for the Pius X Thunderbolts, was awarded the Matt Grosserode Memorial Scholarship during the school’s annual Fall Kickoff celebration held on August 21, 2015. The scholarship was founded in 2005 by the late John Grosserode ’78 and his wife Joann ’78 in memory of their son Matt, a 2000 graduate of Pius X High School. The $500 scholarship is awarded each year to a senior Pius X football player who is faithful to God, loving to family, and loyal to friends, just as Matt was during his life.
Kerr’s teammates, along with the student body, faculty, and Pius X families and fans cheered as his name was announced. After he walked over to hug Matt Grosserode’s mother, Joann, she presented him with a certificate and the plaque denoting all past recipients of the scholarship. Kerr is the 13th senior football player listed on the memorial plaque which permanently resides in the Pius X press box. Recipients are not aware that they have been selected prior to the announcement at Fall Kickoff.
“I remember watching Alex Jones receive this scholarship when I was in 6th grade. I looked up to him that whole year, which was my brother’s senior year. When I heard my name I was surprised and excited,” Kerr shared. “This is one of the biggest honors at Pius, and I feel very fortunate to be awarded this scholarship.”
Applicants for the Matt Grosserode scholarship award are asked to write a brief essay relating how their faith and experience as a Pius student athlete has helped shape their future. In his essay Kerr reflected on the successes and struggles of his high school career, writing that Pius X has instilled within him the knowledge “that God has a plan for me and that whatever the struggle I should offer it up, and God will implement his will.”
Kerr, son of Joe and Deb Kerr of the Cathedral of the Risen Christ parish, is also a member of the Pius X wrestling team and runs track. He credits both athletics and his parents in teaching him two valuable lessons: hard work and humility. “It is easy to talk about my faith, especially as an athlete. My mom has always instilled within me to be humble, because I owe everything I have to God. Plus in my experience with sports I have had more than a few situations where God intervened and made things I did possible.”
“Alex is a hard worker, and a captain of the football team,” commented Coach Tim Aylward on Kerr’s selection as the Matt Grosserode Scholarship recipient. “As a returning two-way starter, we count on his leadership to help guide the team.”
As an example of his leadership Kerr’s first thoughts when receiving the scholarship did not reflect on his own glory. Instead his first thoughts went to others. “I felt my cousin Zack, as well as Matt Grosserode, looking down upon me. Zack was my 15-year-old cousin who died in a car crash while heading to football practice.”
Matt Grosserode passed away in a car accident in 2003. He was born on June 19, 1981 in Daytona Beach, Fla. His family moved back to Lincoln when he was in first grade where he attended Catholic grade schools and then Pius X High School. Matt was a junior in college at Iowa State University at the time of his death. During his years at Pius X, he was an honor student, a standout football player, and a member of the track team. After graduating from Pius, he went on to play football at Iowa State University earning Academic All Big 12 Honors. Matt lived his life being faithful to God, loving to his family, and loyal to his friends.
