Belcher Gutowski Scholarship Fund
Empowering Milwaukee’s Athletic Youth To Continue Their Education Since 2012
Empowering Milwaukee’s Athletic Youth To Continue Their Education Since 2012
Their story
Craig Belcher and Mick Gutowski dedicated their professional lives to the future of the students they taught. With over 50 years of public education combined, they influenced countless numbers of inner city youths.
They were passionate about the difference they made as educators and counselors. Always setting a standard and living by one that same standard. As coaches, they emphasized that success and triumph not be defined just on the field but in the humility and humanity in the person you are.
They were icons, thought leaders, and mentors in their roles as fathers and in their roles as friends. As a community, we tragically and unexpectedly lost both of them too soon. In their memory, a group of extraordinary people and friends decided to get together once a year, we golf together, we laugh together, and we share poignant stories together about the people that made such a substantial and eternal difference in all our lives.
The scholars fund began. Through his effect, we raise money to reward and highlight students who exemplify what Craig and Mick immortalized as they understood we understand the obstacles that kids and athletes face in a path to their best selves and their best futures.
My name is Kyle Valdes I am a going for my associates at WCTC in the electricity program. What I like to do in my free time is hanging out with friends and family, staying active and playing video games. I am proud to say I graduated from, in my opinion the best MPS school Milwaukee Hamilton the great memories I made there and the great friends as well and you can’t forget about the great teachers and coaches that push me to be who I am today. I am so grateful for the Belcher Scholarship for jump starting my future goals in the electricity industry.
My name is Andrew Vail, a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee majoring in Industrial Engineering. I had the privilege of conducting water quality research in my freshman year at UWM’s School of Freshwater Science. This experience complemented the teamwork skills I developed as a varsity tennis player and continue to apply as a member of two intramural soccer teams.
I’m a Milwaukee native and a Ronald Reagan High School graduate. My ultimate goal is to improve industrial efficiency within Milwaukee-based companies. I’m deeply thankful to the Belcher Gutowski Foundation for their scholarship support, enabling me to continue my education and contribute positively to my hometown.
Hi! My name is Raquel Rojano, I am a second-year student at the University of Wisconsin Madison’s School of Business pursuing Actuarial Science. I have learned so much in the time I’ve spent here and even gotten into new hobbies like powerlifting. I am a first-generation college student and I couldn’t continue on this journey without the support of scholarships such as this one. I grew up in Milwaukee attending MPS schools and graduated from Ronald Reagan High School in 2020 as valedictorian. Throughout high school I was highly involved in wrestling both in and outside of school. I was fortunate enough to compete on a national level and even placed first at a state tournament. Being highly involved in the sport allowed me to meet many great people and even come across this scholarship. I intend to graduate in 2024 and work as an actuary in the Milwaukee area where I’d like to give back to my community.
My name is Isaac Wells-Cage and I’m a junior, studying Industrial and Systems Engineering at UW-Madison. Being from Milwaukee, Wisconsin I grew up all over the inner city and settled at Ronald Reagan for my High School. I’m a member of All-In Milwaukee, the Milwaukee Fellows, and Sponsor a Scholar (Boys and Girls Club). At UW, I am an active member of the Black Student Union as well as the Vice President of the National Society of Black Engineers. I also conduct research on the comparisons between human learning and machine learning, on the side. My future career prospects are unclear at the moment, but I’m eager to expand my knowledge in the STEM field.
Attending college was always a goal of mine. However, raising college tuition and low financial aid made it a little difficult. Thankfully the Belcher Gutowski Scholarship made it possible. I am incredibly thankful to have been the first recipient of the scholarship. Currently I am a correctional officer for the state of Wisconsin; I started back in 2017 about a month after college graduation. I am forever thankful to have been chosen for the scholarship. The Belcher Gutowski Scholarship made my dream come true always thankful.
Join us this year and golf for a great cause! 100% proceeds from the outing are directly distributed to scholarship recipients.
Just fill out the form below to let us know you’re golfing. Don’t forget to add the event to your calendar.
When: August 1st 2026
Where: Dretzka Golf Course
Time: 1 PM
Cost: $125 a person
