The University of Washington has announced today that Husky football coach Steve Sarkisian and wife Stephanie have established an endowment to help graduate students in the school's College of Education.

Here is the press release:

University of Washington head football coach Steve Sarkisian and his wife, Stephanie, have made a gift of $100,000 to establish the Steve and Stephanie Sarkisian Endowed Fellowship in Education in the UW College of Education. The endowment will provide financial assistance to graduate students in the College of Education who aspire to teach in Washington state public schools.

"Stephanie and I believe strongly that every bright future must have at its core a solid educational foundation. We both attended public schools so we understand the value of public education," says Sarkisian. "We created the Sarkisian Endowment Fellowship in Education as a tribute to every educator who commits their life's work to bringing out the best in the students of the state of Washington. Our hope is that this endowment will provide both assistance and enthusiastic encouragement to aspiring public school teachers who believe that all children should have a chance at success in school and life."

"Every child should have a chance to succeed in the classroom and the only way they're going to do that is if they have a sound educational foundation," says Tom Stritikus, dean of the UW College of Education. "The Sarkisians' gift to the College of Education will help ensure that the kids in our state have that chance by bringing smart, dedicated teachers into the classroom."

Selection of fellowship recipients will be made by the Dean of the College of Education. Selection of the recipients will be based broadly on academic merit and financial need.

Preference may be given to students enrolled in high-need fields (e.g., to address a shortage of secondary science or math teachers in Washington state). The grants may cover all or part of tuition and may also provide support for living expenses, books, fees, and other educational expenses.

Sarkisian came to the UW in 2009 with a wealth of experience as a quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator. Sarkisian's Huskies provided one of the biggest thrills of the 2010 bowl season by upsetting an 18th-ranked Nebraska squad, 19-7, in the 2010 Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl.