BATON ROUGE — The LSU Department of Kinesiology has announced the creation of the Harry Rabenhorst Memorial endowed scholarship, according to Dr. Amelia M. Lee, Chair of the Department.
The scholarship was endowed after a $10,000 donation by Ari Fisher, an instructor in the Kinesiology Department since 1996. Fisher, a former assistant basketball coach at LSU, received a financial settlement from the NCAA Restricted Earnings Lawsuit in the Spring of 2001. “Everything I have professionally, academically, and personally, I owe to LSU. I am only doing what I feel is proper,” said Fisher.
Rabenhorst worked at LSU from 1925 until 1968 as Assistant Football Coach, Head Basketball and Baseball Coach, instructor in the Kinesiology Department, Assistant Athletic Director and Acting Athletic Director. His teams won four SEC basketball championships, appeared in the NCAA Final Four in 1953, two SEC baseball championships and his 1935 team claimed a mythical basketball National Championship in 1935. His 340 victories remains second all-time in basketball at LSU and one of the top victory totals in Southeastern Conference history.
The scholarship will consist of a $500 stipend to a East Baton Rouge Parish native who wishes to pursue a career in teaching and coaching.
Fisher presently is the head boys basketball coach at his alma mater, University Lab School. This past season, his 32-4 team won the Louisiana Class AA state championship while setting a school record for victories. The 31-year-old Fisher earned two undergraduate degrees from LSU in 1992 and a master’s degree in 1994.
Those wishing to join in and contribute in memory of Coach Rabenhorst may do so by contacting the LSU Foundation at the Lod Cook Alumni Center (225-578-3811).