Michelle George Blasdel Memorial Scholarship
Cal Poly Women’s Soccer alumnae teamed up to honor former Mustang teammate, Michelle George Blasdel, by financially supporting future female soccer student-athletes as a pledge to acknowledge mental illness and reduce its stigma.
Michelle George Blasdel, aka “George,” took her own life in 2021 after battling with mental illness. She was an exceptional Cal Poly Women’s Soccer student-athlete (1996 - 1999), but more importantly an incredible human. Cal Poly Women’s Soccer alumnae pledged to shed light on situations of this severity and remove the veil from mental illness to reduce its stigma.
“Michelle had a love and passion for life and relationships that was exuberant. This passion poured out onto the soccer field and was infectious. She was the ultimate cheerleader while being a fierce competitor and gentle leader. For these qualities and many more, we would like to continue her legacy by creating an endowed scholarship in memory of Michelle George.” - Former Cal Poly Teammates, Leah Bennett Strange and Denise Trione Hicks
Total raised for the Michelle George Blasdel Memorial Endowed Scholarship:
$217,000
Read the 2023 Impact Report Here
Each year, a Cal Poly Women’s Soccer student-athlete will be chosen by her peers and coaches as the recipient of “The George” endowed scholarship. Her nomination will be based upon the attributes and traits that most personify Michelle. The 2025 recipient is Sophia Minnite. You can read about Sophia and why she was selected to receive this scholarship HERE.
The Cal Poly Women's Soccer Program will be able to award Michelle's scholarship in perpetuity, creating a true legacy in her memory. Contributing to “The George” is a symbiotic relationship between supporting the Cal Poly Women’s Soccer program and memorializing a remarkable Mustang. By establishing this memorial scholarship, Mustang Women’s Soccer alumnae honor Michelle for generations to come.
To contribute a financial gift, click the link below. If you prefer to mail a check or donate appreciated securities, please contact Jenna Tognazzini at jtognazz@calpoly.edu.
Thank you to the generous donors who contributed to this scholarship:
Wayne & Niki Abraham |
Kay Kurtz |
