A scholarship fund in honor of a former North Vermillion and South Vermillion coach has been established.
The Coach Blank -- Legends Never Die Scholarship Fund honors the life and times of former North Vermillion and South Vermillion coach Benjamin "Ben" Blank.
Blank died at the age of 50 last October following a battle against melanoma. The veteran coach was in his second season as defensive coordinator at South Vermillion High School and coached at North Vermillion from 2012 to 2025. At North Vermillion, Blank helped the Falcons win a state title in 2014 and a runner-up spot in 2018. He was also named the offensive coordinator of the year for the state of Indiana by Indiana Football Digest in 2014.
As an assistant coach in Indiana, Coach Blank helped North Vermillion football reach generational success. Coach Blank helped them win a State Championship in 2014 and finish runner-up in 2018. In 2014, Coach Blank won offensive coordinator of the year for the state of Indiana from Indiana Football Digest
The scholarship will support graduating seniors from North Vermillion High School and South Vermillion High School, ensuring that Blank’s passion for education and mentorship continues to make a lasting impact.
"We are honored to steward the Coach Blank -- Legends Never Die Scholarship Fund and to help carry forward Ben Blank's legacy. This scholarship reflects the lasting impact a dedicated educator and coach can have, and we are grateful to the family and friends who created an opportunity that will support Vermillion County students for years to come," said Dale White, CEO of Vermillion County Community Foundation.
Applicant(s) must be a graduate of North Vermillion High School or South Vermillion High School and a resident of Vermillion County and have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
Preference will be given to applicants who are committed to participating in a collegiate sport without receiving an athletic scholarship or who plan to serve as a student assistant. If no applicants meet this preference, all other qualified applicants will be considered equally.
Several criteria may be taken into consideration when selecting recipients, including being committed to participating in a collegiate sport without receiving an athletic scholarship, or who plan to serve as a student assistant, letters of reference, financial need, school and work experience, community and volunteer service, and academics.
Two scholarships are to be awarded each year. One for a North Vermillion student and one for a South Vermillion student. This scholarship will be awarded in May 2026.
Contributions to the Coach Blank - Legends Never Die Scholarship Fund are tax-deductible and can be made online at www.wicf-inc.org or mailed to: Vermillion County Community Foundation, Attn: Coach Blank - Legends Never Die Scholarship, PO Box 532, Clinton, IN, 47842.
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