The family of Travis Fischer approached HCCF with one goal: to continue Travis’ legacy of love for youth and sports. Through the Travis Fischer Memorial Fund, they have been able to do just that.

During his life, Travis dedicated many years to coaching baseball and football at North Huron, Bad Axe, and Unionville Sebewaing Area Schools. He was the type of coach that cared about his players on and off the field. Travis was the “go to” guy for many of his athletes when they needed someone to talk to or needed another caring adult in their life. He was invested in them as people.

When the Fischer family set out to create an endowment fund that would continue Travis’ legacy, helping youth stay active continued to come up in conversation. Some version of “we need these kids to stay in sports so hopefully, one day, they can have a coach that cares about them the way that Travis cared about his players” was often repeated. There were initial discussions of a scholarship fund, but they wanted to make sure that all athletes were being supported, just like Travis did with his players. Recognizing that, for some students, involvement in sports is what keeps them in school until graduation, the family created the Travis Fischer Memorial Fund.

Members of Fischer Family speaking at the Bad Axe Opening Day Celebration. They presented the game balls and shared about Travis’ life, legacy, and Fund with the young players and their families.

The Travis Fischer Memorial Fund is a fund dedicated to youth sports. The first grant from the fund was in 2022. Since that time, nearly $4,500 has been granted to youth recreation.

Rural school students enjoying their new recreational equipment.

The first grant from the fund was to purchase uniforms for the youth basketball teams sponsored by the Huron County Rural Schools. In 2023, Harbor Beach Little League had a record number of youth registered to play softball and baseball; a grant from the Fischer Fund was used to purchase additional helmets. This grant ensured that all kids interested in playing had the proper equipment. Also in 2023, a grant to the Bad Axe Little League purchased the game balls needed for the season. A grant was given to Huron County SafePlace to support upgrades to their playground on site, because all kids, no matter their situation, deserve to play. Finally, the Huron County Rural Schools recognized they did not have enough recreational equipment to keep students engaged and entertained during recess and free time. Dollars from the Fischer Fund supported the increase in play for rural school students.

A permanent endowment is a tool to help create and continue a legacy. Supporting the next generation of Huron County’s young people through sports and recreation is Travis’ legacy through the Travis Fischer Memorial Fund.