The Bag Hefti Scholarship

Each year, Bag's Buddies awards one of the largest scholarships in Virginia to outstanding student-athletes who embody the spirit and values that defined Captain John "Bag" Hefti's life.

$2,000 per year, renewable for up to four years—that's $8,000 per scholarship recipient.

We're not just looking at stats and GPAs. We're looking for character.

What We're Really Looking For

The students who stand out to our Scholarship Committee are the ones whose applications reveal heart—the ones who remind us of Bag.

Play Hard

Bag gave everything he had to everything he did. We look for student-athletes who show that same dedication:

• Athletes who work to get better every single day
• Students who don't give up when things get tough
• Players who show up early, stay late, and push their teammates forward
• Competitors who play fair and respect their opponents

In your application: Tell us about a time you had to push through adversity. We want to hear about the work you've put in, not just the trophies you've won.

Have Fun

Bag brought joy everywhere he went. His laugh was contagious. We look for:

• Students who bring energy and enthusiasm to their teams
• Athletes who can laugh at themselves and with others
• Young people who pursue interests beyond their primary sport
• Competitors who love the game itself, not just winning

In your application: Share what you love about your sport. Tell us about a moment of pure joy on the field.

Same Team

This might be the most important of Bag's values. True success means lifting others up:

• Athletes who guide and support their teammates
• Students who give back beyond their sport
• Upperclassmen who help younger athletes grow
• Players who celebrate others' successes as much as their own

In your application: Tell us how you've made a difference for others. Show us your impact on your community.

Read more about what makes a Bag's Buddies scholar

Eligibility

The Bag Hefti Scholarship is open to graduating seniors from any Virginia Beach public high school who participate in organized athletics.

Our program began with three founding partner schools—First Colonial, Kellam, and Cox High Schools—and has since expanded to serve student-athletes across all Virginia Beach high schools. Recent recipients have come from schools including Ocean Lakes, Green Run, Princess Anne, and others throughout the city.

All Virginia Beach high school seniors who meet our eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply.

Who We're Looking For

We're seeking student-athletes who are ambassadors for their school and sport—aspiring and inspiring future leaders who embody the "Play Hard, Have Fun, Same Team" philosophy.

Selection Process

1. Online Application — Students apply directly between January 15 and March 31
2. Committee Review — Our scholarship committee reviews all applications
3. Recipient Selection — Winners are chosen based on who best embodies the Bag's Buddies spirit
4. Award Ceremony — Recipients are announced at Bag's Big Bash, our annual gala

For Virginia Beach Students

If you're a Virginia Beach high school senior and student-athlete, you can apply online when applications open each January. Talk to your guidance counselor or athletic director if you have questions about the process.

Scholarship Awards

Each scholarship provides $2,000 per year, renewable for up to four years of study at a college, university, or trade program. That's a total of $8,000 per recipient—making this one of the largest scholarships awarded in Virginia.

Recipients are announced at Bag's Big Bash, our annual celebration where we honor the outstanding student-athletes who carry forward Bag's legacy.

Past Recipients

Our scholarship recipients have gone on to attend universities across the country, pursuing degrees in everything from engineering to education, business to biology. Many have continued their athletic careers at the collegiate level.

More importantly, they've continued living the values that earned them a Bag's Buddies scholarship—working hard, bringing joy to their teams, and lifting up the people around them.

Meet our 2025 scholarship recipients

Interested in the Scholarship?

If you're a Virginia Beach high school senior and student-athlete, we'd love to hear from you. Apply online when applications open in January, or visit our complete application guide to learn about the process, timeline, and what makes applications stand out.

Have questions? Reach out anytime — we're always happy to talk about the scholarship program.

Support Future Scholars

Your donation helps us award more scholarships to deserving Virginia Beach student-athletes. Every gift makes a difference.

Give to Bag's Buddies

Supporting Younger Athletes

Looking for help with youth sports costs? Our Youth Sports Grants program helps Virginia Beach families cover registration fees, equipment, and uniforms for children ages 5–18.

Play Hard, Have Fun, Same Team.