The Tony Stricker Endowment

     During the 1930’s a young basketball player at Reitz High School became of the first high school players to use the one handed jump shot.  Anthony “Tony” Stricker loved the game of basketball and knew the value of athletics as part of the school curriculum.  His daughter, Toni Stricker-Askins, and her husband, Lee, wanted to do something that would honor their father’s love for sports and yet assist the parish that they have been members of for many years. 

     Following an invitation to the Carpenter Society’s annual Mass and Dinner that recognizes and thanks parishioners for permanent gifts that they have made or plan to make through their estate plans, Toni and Lee realized that an endowment would be the perfect way to memorialize the legacy that her father had provided.  The Tony Stricker Endowment has been established to provide athletic equipment and programs at St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School in Vanderburgh County. 

     Toni, a retired elementary school teacher, wanted to pass on the love for athletics to future generations.  According to Toni, “Since Lee and I support Catholic Schools, it seemed fitting to support sports at St. Joseph and to honor my father as well.  It was so incredibly easy to do.  The idea of being of help to children in the future makes us feel very proud.” 

     Tony Stricker was active in all kinds of sports and coached the boy’s basketball team at St. Boniface.  A mentor for many young people, he will best be remembered as Toni’s “cheerleader” and mentor for her life.  He passed away in 1988 but his legacy will continue as boys and girls at St. Joseph will have needed athletic equipment and opportunities that may not have been available to them.

     “There is always a need at the school for athletic equipment.  The Athletic Committee offers assistance each year but to know that there will be permanent funding for this in the future is a true blessing”, remarks Melba Wilderman, St. Joseph Catholic School Principal.  As with all endowments, anyone can add to this endowment at any time and in any amount.  The gift will assist with the school’s needs forever and will grow with gifts that are added.

For more information on the Tony Stricker Endowment or for details on how to Create Your Catholic Legacy, please contact the Catholic Foundation at 424-5536, by email at lcox@evdio.org or visit the website at www.CreatingCatholicLegacies.org.