This scholarship is given in memory of Dr. Clay Thomas Brewer of Murphysboro, IL.

Clay was born August 29, 1964 in Carbondale, IL to Don and Wilma Jean (Turnage) Brewer. He was a graduate of Murphysboro High School, and was forever a Red Devil, bleeding crimson and corn. Upon graduation he attended John A Logan College where he played baseball and basketball. The next stop in his athletic career was as the starting catcher for the famous coach, Itchy Jones of the Southern Illinois Salukis Baseball Team. Clay graduated from Southern Illinois University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Education in 1985. He then went on to receive his Master’s in Education from SIU and his Doctorate in Education from Oakland University.

His professional journey in education began at the Jackson-Perry County Regional Office of Education in the Truancy Alternative Education Program. Clay led with the belief that an organization’s most valuable asset is its people and that relationships are the key to success. His next career move was to John A Logan College where, during his 20-year tenure, he served in a variety of positions, including Executive Director of the Human Resource Division. Clay credited any success he received in this assignment to his good friend and mentor, the late John Huffman, JALC Attorney. Clay demonstrated leadership through faith, and mentored many over the course of decades. Prior to retiring, Clay was honored to serve JALC as Vice President of Administration.

Alongside professional successes, Clay continued to have many victories on the field both as a coach and as a player. He served as an assistant football and basketball coach for the Carbondale Terriers before eventually becoming the Head Football Coach at CCHS. Fast-Pitch softball was another sport in which Clay excelled; being a proud member of two IL State Championship Teams: Carbondale Italian Village and the Pinckneyville Celtics. His final season was with the renowned Decatur Pride, a team that won the Men’s Major Fast-Pitch National Championship, solidifying a Hall of Fame career.

Above all, the accolades garnered in sports nor the recognition Clay earned from his professional achievements could ever measure up to the man Clay was on a personal level. He was a loving husband, father, son, brother, friend and most importantly, he was a man of Faith. Clay married Zeppelyn on September 23, 2006 and they spent 16 wonderful years together filled with love, adventure and laughter. Together their degree of happiness reached a new level on November 12, 2015 when Braydon Thomas Brewer the First was born. Clay was a very deserving father and quickly became Braydon’s superhero. They were best buddies and shared the love of the outdoors. They would often take hikes, Jeep and side by side rides and scout deer together. As a family they enjoyed traveling, taking Braydon on new adventures and listening to rock and roll. Clay’s legacy as a great father may be one of the first things that people close to him will mention when they remember him as he left an imprint on Braydon filled with unconditional love.