The John Winkelman Memorial Scholarship

The John Winkelman Memorial Scholarship has been established by Sharon and Wendall Williams to provide scholarship assistance to Western Colorado University Mountain Sports athletes.

Wendall (‘82) and Sharon (’83) Williams met and married as a result of their time at Western. One of Wendall’s best friends from Western was John Winkelman who was active on the Alpine Ski Team with Coach Maclennan. John grew up in South Lake Tahoe California and came to Western on a skiing scholarship. Wendall and John became close friends in Junior year as both were Intramural Supervisors for Coach Bob Decker and Coach Gene Anderson. Their duties included unlocking the gyms, setting up nets and equipment, and cleaning up afterwards. After they both graduated in the spring of 1982, John moved back to California to work in the tech industry, and Wendall went back to Denver to start his successful construction firm. Before going their separate ways, the friends made a pact to ski together at least once a year. Starting in March of 1983, they never missed a single winter. Others joined in. Unfortunately, John passed away in 2011 from ALS. The ‘Boys Ski Weekend’s still continues to this day as they toast to John.

John and his wife Claudia have three daughters as do Wendall and Sharon. Their girls have become close friends and continue the bond that the two friends shared. The legacy continues.

Applicants for the The John Winkelman Memorial Scholarship:
Two Mountain Sports athletes, one female and one male, will be awarded each year.

- Be members of one or more Mountain Sports Teams at Western Colorado University.
- Preference will be given to individuals from Colorado.
- Must maintain a GPA of at least a 2.75
- Athletes may reapply for the scholarship for multiple years.
-Consideration for financial need, leadership within Mountain Sports, and athletic excellence.

Applications will be reviewed by a committee that at minimum will be comprised of the Director of Mountain Sports, the Director of Campus Recreation, and at least two Mountain Sports Coaches.

The successful applicants will receive payment toward the Mountain Sports Team Dues up to a maximum of $1,000. Payments will be applied directly to Western Colorado University’s Mountain Sports Program or refunded to the athlete if the dues have already been paid (upon approval by the Director of Mountain Sports).