IU Endows Football Scholarship in Honor of Chris Beaty

IU Athletics Release

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana University Athletics and IU Football announced on Thursday the establishment of a new endowed football scholarship and a new annual team award in honor of the late Chris Beaty.

Beaty, who played football at IU from 2000-03, was tragically killed May 30, 2020, during the protests that gripped Indianapolis in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd. Beaty died a hero after selflessly rushing to the aid of two women who were being robbed. He was only 38 years old.

The Chris Beaty Indiana Football Scholarship was made possible by a $100,000 gift directed by his mother, Debra Cooper, of Indianapolis. It will be awarded annually to an Indiana Football student-athlete from the state of Indiana with preference given for a student who began his career as a walk-on.  

In addition, IU head football coach Tom Allen has announced that the team’s annual Walk-On Award has been renamed the Chris Beaty Outstanding Walk-On award. Davion Ervin-Poindexter and Christian Harris were the inaugural recipients of the award, which was presented at last week’s IU Football Awards Ceremony.

“Chris Beaty loved Indiana, loved Indiana Football, and loved people. He was a very caring, selfless, and passionate person. I have said it before and I will say it again, Chris lived out LEO. His support was unwavering. Chris will always be a special person to our program and to the University,” Allen said.

Affectionately known as “Mr. Indianapolis”, Beaty was an active and beloved member of the Indianapolis community. It was there that he starred at Cathedral High School in the late 1990s, which paved the way for him to join Cam Cameron’s Hoosier team in the fall of 2000 as a walk-on. After spending his first season with Cameron, he played his final three seasons for Gerry DiNardo. Following his playing days, Beaty remained loyal and actively engaged with Indiana Football as an alumni regularly attending games and events.

“Chris was beloved by the entire Indiana University family, someone who represented the very best of the IU Football and IU Athletics,” said IU Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Scott Dolson. “His loss is a tragedy for the community and everyone who had the privilege of crossing paths with Chris during his life. The outpouring of love and support following his death shows the countless number of people he touched, and we are honored to be able to recognize and celebrate Chris through this scholarship and team award.”

Days after Beaty’s death, a GoFundMe page was started with the intention of donating the proceeds to Indiana University and Indianapolis Cathedral High School to establish scholarships in his honor. Over 1,700 people generously supported the effort.  The Chris Beaty ’00 Endowed Memorial Tuition Fund at Indianapolis Cathedral High School was made possible by a second $100,000 donation and was announced earlier this year.