The Garrett Uekman Foundation fully funded its scholarship program three years ahead of schedule and awarded its first scholarship to a former teammate of its namesake, a former Razorback who died unexpectedly in 2011.
University of Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long joined members of Uekman's family Monday in Little Rock to announce the scholarship fund had reached its $100,000 goal after just two years. Long said officials thought it would take five years or longer to reach that mark.
Long then announced the first recipient of the scholarship as fifth-year Razorback offensive lineman Luke Charpentier, who he said knew Uekman as a friend, roommate and teammate.
Charpentier choked back tears and his voice wavered with emotion after he accepted the award. He recalled how Uekman was "so excited to come back to Little Rock" to play Mississippi State at War Memorial Stadium, the last game he played before his death.
"Garrett was really close to me," he said. "We came in together, and you know Garrett was somebody that just embodied everything to be a Razorback. He told me several times that his dream was always to play for the Razorbacks."
Several of Uekman's family members attended the announcement, including his sister, Meagan Uekman, and his parents, Danny and Michelle Uekman.
"Garrett's dream became a reality when he signed for the Razorbacks," Meagan Uekman said. "Today our dream as the foundation is a reality now."
Uekman, who played for Little Rock Catholic, was 19 and a redshirt freshman tight end when he died from cardiomyopathy, which resulted in an enlarged heart.
Kevin Trainor, a spokesman for University of Arkansas athletics, said because Charpentier is already on a full scholarship as a football player, the funds will go into a larger pool for university scholarships in his name.
Arkansas coach Bret Bielema said the Charpentier and Uekman families have become close since Garrett Uekman's death. Bielema said he told Charpentier he was the recipient of the scholarship last week.
"It was cool to watch his reaction," Bielema said.