2026 16th Annual Eric Yates Memorial 5K Run and 2-mile Walk

WKU Army ROTC department is hosting our 16th annual Eric Yates Memorial Run/Walk to benefit a scholarship fund set up in his name.

1LT Eric Yates, was a 2008 WKU graduate that commissioned as 2LT into the United States Army. On September 17, 2010 1LT Yates was on a dismounted foot patrol when an IED exploded in Afghanistan. The Yates family established a WKU academic scholarship in Eric’s name. Chosen cadets in the ROTC program benefit yearly from this scholarship in memory of 1LT Yates. We hope to increase awareness and run in his memory to benefit cadets who need tuition assistance.

All proceeds from the Eric Yates Memorial Run will go towards the WKU Yates Memorial scholarship. (WKU is a non-profit organization/ tax exempt A007084).