The RICKERS
RONG
SCHOLARSHIP
AWARD
IN LOVING MEMORY OF BRISON RICKER
2025 RICKERSTRONG SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
Evan Mattson
We are proud to share that the 2025 Rickerstrong Scholarship has been awarded to Evan Mattson!
This year brought many exceptional applicants, making the selection process competitive. However, the final decision was unanimous. Evan’s impressive academic and athletic accomplishments throughout his high school years speak for themselves—but what stood out most was the character he demonstrates every day.
Like Brison, Evan leads with kindness and strives to make others feel seen, valued, and inspired. His integrity, humility, and compassion embody the very spirit of the Rickerstrong legacy.
This fall, Evan will attend Central Michigan University, where he plans to major in business. His dream is to become a leader—whether by launching his own company or contributing to an organization that gives back to the community. Evan shared that he hopes to be someone who works hard, serves others, and lives with the same passion and kindness that Brison did.
2024 RICKERSTRONG SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
Ian Klenk
The 2024 Rickerstrong Scholarship Award was given to Ian Klenk, in honor & memory of Brison Ricker. Ian is an exceptional young man and we have no doubt that he will help Brison's legacy live on and positively impact the lives of others. Ian will be attending Kuyper College in the fall to study sports management and will also be on their soccer team. Ian will undoubtedly do amazing things and leave his mark on the world!
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2023 RICKERSTRONG SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
Cole Detloff
It was an honor to award Cole Detloff the 2023 Rickerstrong Scholarship Award in honor & memory of Brison Ricker. Cole will be attending Western Michigan University in the fall for chemical engineering and will be a part of the Lees Honor College during his years there.
Cole's accomplishments throughout his high school years are very impressive! From being awarded a varsity spot on the soccer team his freshman year, becoming a captain his junior year, & receiving numerous awards and honors throughout his high school soccer years, all while playing travel soccer and maintaining a 4.33 GPA his senior year. As great as all that is, coach Frilen say's Cole's most striking attribute is his character. It is clear that he has many Live Like Brison attributes that will continue to lead him to make an impact on others and leave his mark on this world!
Cole states, "I want to live every moment to the fullest, because you never know when your moment can change in a heartbeat. As I was never lucky enough to meet Brison in person, I am lucky enough to be here today to live like him."
2022 RICKERSTRONG SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
Emily Egan
We were very proud to honor Emily Egan with the 2022 Rickerstrong Scholarship. Emily not only graduated with honors, she has also completed her freshman year of college due to her hard work and dedication. Emily was also on the Cedar Springs High School soccer team and shows her horse Chuck. She will continue at GRCC for one year and then attend Ferris State University.
Emily's say's, " As I begin the next step in my life, I will count on Brison's determination to work and fight for everything to push me to achieve my dream and attack what life gives me with a positive attitude and strive for great success", & Living like Brison has been such a strong motto to use and I plan to continue my life like Brison through hard work and dedication to become successful in life and impact all the hearts that I encounter. I want to share the same impact that Brison left on the world and help others just as he did in school, on the field, the track and in people."
2021 RICKERSTRONG SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
BRYCE MARVEL
With great pleasure the 2021 Rickerstrong Scholarship was awarded to Bryce Marvel. Bryce had the privilege of growing up on the same street as Brison, he shared what a lasting impact Brison made and how much he learned from him. He considers himself one of the many people, that Brison helped to succeed. A few things Bryce learned are, opportunities can only be taken when they are seized, how to fight, compete & no matter what, never give up, if you want something you need to be willing to work hard for it and take it, to never be satisfied and always strive to be the best version of yourself.
Bryce's many accomplishments throughout his high school years are very impressive. It is clear that he has "Live Like Brison" attributes that will continue to lead him to great success & an incredible future! Bryce will be attending Olney Central College in Illinois, where he will study business, work for a degree in welding and play college baseball.
2020 RICKERSTRONG SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
NICHOLAS CUMMINGS
It was an honor to award Nick Cummings the 2020 Rickerstrong Scholarship Award in honor & memory of Brison Ricker. Nick is an incredible young man and we have no doubt that he will help Brison's legacy live on and leave a beneficial impact on others’ lives. Nick will be attending Central Michigan University in the fall for mechanical engineering and also has a goal to become one of the best IFBB Pro bodybuilders the world has ever seen. With the dedication, determination and drive that Nick has, he will undoubtedly do amazing things and leave his mark on the world!
2019 RICKERSTRONG SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT'S
With much gratitude to our sponsors we were able to provide two scholarships to Cedar Springs Class of 2019!
1st PLACE RECIPIENT - ETHAN WEST
Ethan will be attending Grand Rapids Community College and is undecided at this time what career path he will pursue.
Ethan's essay started by saying "Not only to live like Brison, but for him too." It was so clear throughout his essay, he takes that to heart. A few other statements he wrote, "I believe to live like Brison is to live with passion, with love and resilience" "There is so much this world could learn from Brison, and that's a goal I have set for myself. I want to change this world. Brison was my greatest role model, my biggest influencer, and the best teacher Iv'e ever had. I want to play my part and spread what he wasn't able to. The goal I have for myself is to make Brison proud, to do what he never had a chance to do. To attack life with no regrets, to never back down from adversity, to change this world for the better. I will do anything it takes to do so because I know if Brison were here right now, he would be the one to do so. I made a promise to him, so mark my words, hold me to it, I'm going to change this world for you Brison!"
2nd PLACE RECIPIENT - EMILY PIERSON
Emily will be attending Central Michigan University where she will be studying education and plans to become a high school teacher.
Emily stated in her essay, referring to Brison, "it's not just a life that touched others, it's a spirit that blessed us with an example of how to be kind to people, how to fight, and how to always believe." "I would be honored as part of Brison's legacy, to be a part of a message bigger than myself and to spread the inspiration of the Rickerstong legacy to many people, in the same way it has touched my life."
2018 RICKERSTRONG SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
THOMAS METIVA
We were so proud to honor Thomas with the first Rickerstrong Scholarship Award!
Thomas will be attending Saginaw Valley where he will be following a pre-med track, in which he will be majoring in Biology and minoring in Spanish for Health Professions.
