J. Kyle Hurdle Scholarship
The J. Kyle Hurdle Scholarship is an annual scholarship awarded by GPSA to graduating seniors each summer. The scholarship honors the memory of J. Kyle Hurdle, a GPSA swimmer who went on to swim at the U.S. Naval Academy.
Who Was J. Kyle Hurdle?
J. Kyle Hurdle
August 6, 1980 - August 10, 2001
Kyle was a U.S. Naval Academy Midshipman in the class of 2004. He swam for the Academy for two years before his sudden and unexpected death in 2001.
Kyle was from Newport News and a 1999 graduate of Warwick High School. Before his time with the Midshipmen, Kyle swam for CGBD, FTE, WYCC, and Beaconsdale in GPSA.
Kyle was driven and determined to be a winner, both in the water and in life. He always did what was expected of him and led by way of example.
“He had super integrity. What a great young man. I wish I had a hundred more like him.”
— Lee Lawrence, Navy Swim Coach
Scholarship Awards
Since the start of the J. Kyle Hurdle Swim Clinic in 2022 as a fundraiser, the total scholarship fund has increased to $2,800 annually, distributed as follows:
| Place | Award Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st Place (Male & Female) | $800 each |
| 2nd Place (Male & Female) | $400 each |
| Honorable Mention (Male & Female) | $200 each |
Eligibility
To be eligible for the J. Kyle Hurdle Scholarship, applicants must:
- Be a recently graduated high school senior, or a senior who has already completed their final year of GPSA eligibility
- Be planning to advance their education (college, trade school, apprenticeship, etc.) in the upcoming academic year
- Have participated in GPSA swimming
Application Process
Step 1: Write Your Essay
2026 Essay Topic: “What positive impact has summer swimming had on your life? How do you intend to pay this forward?”
Essay Requirements:
- Minimum 300 words, maximum 700 words
- Submit as a Microsoft Word (.docx) or PDF document
Step 2: Complete the Application Form
Download and fill out the Scholarship Application Form.
Step 3: Submit to Your GPSA Representative
Submit your completed application and essay to your team’s GPSA Representative. The representative’s submission of your essay serves as their recommendation of your leadership, work ethic, and sportsmanship.
Step 4: Representative Submits to GPSA
Your GPSA Representative will email your application and essay to scholarships@gpsaswimming.org with the subject line “GPSA Scholarship.”
Deadline
All entries must be emailed by the GPSA Representative by midnight, July 26, 2026.
Award Announcement
Winners will be announced and awards presented at the Championship Meet (City Meet) on August 1, 2026.