Hamilton High Class of '54 Gives Generous Donation

FAIRFIELD, OH (October 29, 2021)—When the Hamilton High School Class of 1954 recently decided to stop hosting in-person class reunions, they knew they wanted their leftover funds to help others just as they had been helped.

Pictured from L-R: Larry Tischler, Kim Nuxhall, Russell Moore (Class of '54), Bernie Jones (Class of '54), & Tyler Bradshaw

They thought of who had inspired them; and they thought of their fellow alumnus from a few graduating classes previous to theirs, Joe Nuxhall.

In a gesture that would have made The Ole Lefthander so very proud of his alma mater, the Hamilton High School Class of 1954 made a $1,500 donation to The Nuxhall Foundation. The HHS Class of '54 organizing committee voted unanimously to donate their remaining funds to support the mission of Joe Nuxhall's legacy initiatives.

"Joe always gave us hope because we saw him make it to the majors," said Bernie Jones and Russell Moore, members of the Class of 1954 who helped coordinate previous class reunions for decades. "When we made the decision to stop having in-person reunions, we wanted to honor the work being done in his name because he inspired us."

Jones and Moore were on hand at the Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields to present the donation to volunteer president and CEO of The Nuxhall Foundation Kim Nuxhall, vice chairman Larry Tischler, and executive director Tyler Bradshaw.

"Oh, how my Dad would have loved this," said Nuxhall, "for he knew Bernie, Russ, and so many of the members of the class of '54. Dad loved his hometown, and this donation is just further evidence of why he loved this place so much."

$1,000 from the donation will be used to sponsor a 2022 scholarship at Hamilton High School presented by The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Scholarship Fund. The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Scholarship Fund presents $2,000 in scholarship money to all 14 Butler County high schools annually. To date, the fund has awarded nearly $900,000 in scholarship money to college bound student athletes throughout the region.

The remaining $500 of the donation will be used to support The Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields.

"Education is much more than learning facts and figures, "said Bradshaw. "It's about developing character. And this donation from the Hamilton High Class of 1954 exemplifies the kind of character that Joe Nuxhall modeled for so many throughout our community."