NATCHITOCHES - The 11th annual Johnny Antoon Memorial Golf Tournament raised more than $7,000 to support scholarships for Northwestern State University students. Twenty-four teams competed in the June 6 event that honors the memory of one of NSU's most loyal supporters. 

"Our scholarship benefits students directly," said Danielle Cobb, Antoon's daughter and associate director of Donor Engagement and Stewardship at NSU. "Any way that we can offset the cost of their education at Northwestern means the world to us. We hope that each semester the money helps students get a little bit closer to their degree." 

Cobb said organizers are grateful for the continued support shown more than a decade after Antoon's passing.

"Each year we are beyond humbled that everyone comes back, even 11 years after he has passed away, to honor his legacy," Cobb said. "We couldn't do it without them, and we thank them from the bottom of our hearts for their support over the years."

The Johnny Antoon scholarship was established in 2006. The golf tournament was first hosted in 2015. Since then, more than $194,000 has been raised for the scholarship and awarded nearly $125,000 through the NSU Foundation."

This year's recipients are Kira Calvert of Natchitoches, Maddie Gorum of Natchitoches, Nevaeh Moran of Baton Rouge and Ryann Jackson of Shreveport. Each will receive $1,000 per semester. 

"Mr. Johnny" opened Antoon's bar in 1975 and it became an established for generations of Northwestern State students. In 1981, he opened the Student Body. Antoon also owned two restaurants, Monjuni's and Antoon's Riverfront Restaurant. Each of his businesses employed many NSU students who earned money to pay for college expenses and gained valuable experience which helped them get a job after college. Many of those students worked for Antoon for most of their time in college. Antoon was noted for always finding a way to help a student who needed a job.

In 2008 on this 65th birthday, Antoon's friends and family created the Johnny Antoon Scholarship to assist Northwestern students. Each year, a weekend of activities including a golf tournament to raise funds to enhance the scholarship fund which has awarded more than $125,000 to NSU students. The endowment has grown to more than $194,000.

Antoon started summer school after graduating from high school but joined the Army a few weeks later. He returned to Northwestern after being discharded and earning a Bachelor of Arts in Health and Physical Education in 1968 and a Master of Arts in History in 1972. Antoon also taught history at NSU. He passed away in 2015.

To contribute to the Johnny Antoon Memorial Scholarship visit https://northwesternstatealumni.com/antoon-scholarship/.

Antoon Scholarships:
Four NSU students were awarded scholarships from the Johnny Antoon Memorial Scholarship Fund and were recognized during a preparty for the 11th annual Johnny Antoon Memorial Golf Tournament. From left are Merle Antoon, recipients Kira Calvert, Ryann Jackson, Maddie Gorum and Navaeh Moran.