Business leaders join in support of Elgin & Elaine Baylor Opportunity Fund through The College of Idaho

In 1954, a full decade before the passing of the Civil Rights Act, Elgin Baylor was offered the opportunity to play basketball at The College of Idaho, which had one of the few desegregated college teams in the nation. He left Washington D.C. to attend the college, where he had the opportunity to set the tone for his legacy as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.

The College of Idaho announced on Feb. 21 the formation of the Elgin & Elaine Baylor Opportunity Fund. The effort is supported by Elaine Baylor, Elgin’s wife, as well as leadership from Micron Technology, Blue Cross of Idaho, Boise Cascade, Saint Alphonsus Health System, Idaho Power, the J.R. Simplot Company, Albertsons, Kount, The Dignitas Agency, Cradlepoint and Crookham Company.

To date, more than $1 million has been raised for the fund, with the goal of a $25-million endowment. The fund will be used to support 44 students with financial need from under-represented populations and provide them with full tuition scholarships to attend the college. Supporters of the fund took the stage at a news conference event Tuesday at the Blue Cross of Idaho campus in Meridian.

“For years we’ve been talking about this type of opportunity and how we can work together to create a better Idaho,” President and CEO of Blue Cross of Idaho Charlene Maher said. “We need to create an environment that is welcoming from all the world; the best and the brightest, bring them to us. And our students here in Idaho, let’s give them the opportunity to grow and be the best they can.”

Micron Technology President and CEO Sanjay Mehrotra said the initiative is in line with Micron’s values of diversity and inclusion, which is critical for success in business and innovation.

“Today is a great example of how businesses and community institutions can work together to build a workforce of the future. Diversity, inclusion and belonging is really the core to the DNA of Micron,” Mehrotra said. “There is an abundance of brilliant and diverse students who may not be able to afford an education in Idaho. We want them to know they are welcome here, and this scholarship helps to do just that.”

At the event, Jim Everett, co-president at the college, shared Baylor’s story, and how the college continues to pass along that same experience to its students.

“A quote from Elgin speaks to his experience at the college, ‘It feels as if I’ve wandered into a private and exclusive members-only club, but rather than feel intimidated or excluded, I feel invited,’” Everett said. “We’re going to continue to provide that opportunity for students; it’s what we’ve done for our entire history.”

Nimo Abdi of Capital High School is the first recipient of a scholarship through the fund. She was 4 years old when she arrived in the United States, and plans to pursue a career in microbiology research.

“I know Elgin would be moved to tears if he were here,” Elaine Baylor said. “To have his legacy be a scholarship fund that’s open to all students — not just basketball players, not just athletes, but anyone who qualifies — that is monumental, and a legacy like that that will live on beyond both of us; (this) is something that you only dream of.”