Mickey's Tourney Raises $6,000

Vice president for University Advancement Frank Holmes (left) accepted a $6,000 check, the proceeds from this year's Mickey's Memorial Golf Tournament, from Tim and Charlotte Tull Monday morning. The funds raised June 16 led the endowment, named for Charlotte's husband Fisher Tull, to surpass $50,000. With the three is newly-named School of Music chair Mike Bankhead (right).

The Fisher Tull Endowed Scholarship has surpassed $50,000 this year after Mickey’s Memorial Golf Tournament’s two-year break to generate $6,000 for the endowment.

The 2006 Mickey’s tournament, played June 16 at the Wedgewood Golf Course in Conroe, was held in honor of the late music professor-composer Fisher A. "Mickey" Tull, distinguished professor of music at Sam Houston State University.

The tournament was not held in 2005, but has been a successful fundraiser for the scholarship, given to an incoming freshman, since its inception in 1994.

The tournament generally raises approximately $4,000, said School of Music chair Mike Bankhead.

“Raising the tournament out of the ashes of the past, they have come up with a formula that has apparently worked very, very well because this $6,000 check reflects the enthusiasm both for Dr. Fisher Tull and his legacy, but also for the School of Music for supporting the Tull legacy and people who like to play golf,” Bankhead said.

Bankhead accredits this year’s success to Tull’s widow, Charlotte, and his son Tim, whom he said were “thrown into the crucible at the 11th hour,” making phone calls and encouraging people to sign up full teams of four to participate in the tournament, and putting “their blood, sweat and work where their mouth is.

“What the Tull family is doing by way of this endowment, and it’s over $50,000, represents the kind of leadership from people associated with the university that will make it possible for this university to play on a larger field nationally,” he said “Without these kinds of supporters and help, the university will not be able to reach the goals it has just by using the funding available from the state.

“It’s critical not just to the music program but to all the programs on campus to have these kinds of wonderful people who are willing to step up to the plate and deliver,” Bankhead continued. “I’m so grateful and appreciate the work, and the kids are the ones who benefit.”

The endowment also serves to aid in the recruiting effort, to draw in the best, highest-quality students to SHSU, something that Tull himself saw as a goal when establishing the scholarship.

“The details of awarding this scholarship were worked out by Fisher Tull before he died,” Charlotte said. “I remember so well him writing that all out in longhand, very thoughtfully giving what he thought was going to be the best ideas and then writing those out so that they would be a guideline.

“When you look at the criteria these students have to meet in order to be selected, of course they have to play their instrument, but we are looking for is leadership and the ability to communicate well with other people and to make a difference in the school and beyond,” Charlotte said. “There’s not much point in going through this school and doing what you’re supposed to do if you don’t make a difference when you get out of the school.”

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SHSU Media Contact: Jennifer Gauntt
July 17, 2006
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