The Ice Athletes Foundation · Est. in his honor

For the ones who keep athletes in the game.

In loving memory of Eric Hasenyager

Each year, the Foundation honors athletes, coaches, and organizations who embody Eric's spirit — with scholarships for school and the heat-safety equipment that saves lives on the field.

Nominate someone deserving Make a gift

The legacy

Stay cool. Stay in the game. That was Eric — and now it's a promise we keep for every athlete who takes the field.
Eric Hasenyager Whose memory guides everything we do

Exertional heat stroke is one of the leading causes of sudden death in sport — and it is survivable when people know what to do and have the tools to act. The Foundation exists to put both within reach: recognition and support for the people doing this work, and cooling equipment on the sidelines where minutes decide everything.

Awarded annually

Two honors. One legacy.

Every year, the Foundation recognizes people and programs who make sport safer — announced each National Stay Cool Day.

For athletes & students

The Legacy Scholarship

A scholarship toward school for a student-athlete who shows the heart, perseverance, and care for teammates that defined Eric.

  • Awarded to a deserving student-athlete each year
  • Applied directly toward education costs
  • Honored publicly on National Stay Cool Day
For coaches & organizations

The Heat Safety Equipment Grant

Free cooling and heat-safety equipment for a coach, team, school, or organization committed to protecting their athletes.

  • Cold-water immersion and cooling equipment
  • Sideline heat-monitoring tools
  • Delivered before the hottest months of the season

The path to the award

From nomination to honor

Tell us their story

Anyone can nominate — a teammate, a parent, an athletic director. Five minutes and their story is in front of us.

Nominations open year-round

The Foundation reviews

Every nomination is read in full. We look for Eric's spirit: heart for the game and care for the people playing it.

Reviewed each winter

Honored on Stay Cool Day

Honorees are announced and celebrated each National Stay Cool Day, with scholarships and equipment delivered ahead of the summer heat.

April 8 · every year

The inaugural honorees will be announced on National Stay Cool Day.

Someone you know belongs here. Tell us who keeps their athletes safe, and why.

Start a nomination