CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Nason Lane, from Malden, was awarded the inaugural Southeast Missouri Football Law Enforcement Academy Scholarship.
 
The SEMO football program will provide Lane with a need-based scholarship amount up to $6,500. Lane received a surprise visit from Redhawks Head Coach Tom Matukewicz, outside linebacker Omardrick Douglas, Rowdy the Redhawk and others at his place of employment -- Weaver Popcorn -- this week.
 
"I am very appreciative of this scholarship and want to thank Coach Matukewicz and the football program," said Lane. "I always wanted this career, even more now with everything going on in today's world."
 
Lane will be leaving his job of three years to enroll in the SEMO Law Enforcement Academy. At 28 years old, he is married with five-year old twin boys. Lane initially decided to put his dream of becoming a police officer on hold in order to work a full-time job so his wife, Jessica, could attend college as a full-time student.
 
"I plan to drive back and forth from Cape Girardeau to ensure my family is settled while assisting with any calls from the Malden Fire Department," said Lane. "I have wanted to be a police officer ever since I was in kindergarten and have decided to pursue this opportunity so I can inspire someone and make a positive impact on someone's life."
 
On October 10, the Redhawks and Cape Girardeau Police Department held a car wash. Through that effort, they raised over $13,000, enough money to benefit not only the One City Minority Police Academy Scholarship Fund, but also establish their own scholarship to the SEMO Law Enforcement Academy. Lane's scholarship will go into effect in January 2021. 
 
The SEMO football program will continue providing scholarships to under-represented populations in the law enforcement field. If you are interested in helping this cause, contact Brett Blackman by phone at (573) 651-2110 or email at bblackman@semo.edu.