DATE: Thursday, June 12, 1997               TAG: 9706120463

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B11  EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: STAFF REPORT 

DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE                        LENGTH:   24 lines

NBA'S MOURNING TO GIVE $50,000 TO INDIAN RIVER

Alonzo Mourning of the NBA's Miami Heat will give Indian River High School $50,000 to endow scholarships and purchase a computerized phone system, Principal James L. Frye said Wednesday.

Mourning starred for Indian River from 1984-85 to 1987-88 and is the school's all-time leading scorer.

Frye said he and Mourning began discussions last October about ways the star center could aid the school.

The $50,000 is the largest single gift Indian River has received in Frye's 10 years there. The phone system costs about $10,000, and the rest of the money will be put in a trust fund that Mourning will add to each year. The scholarships will be funded with the interest, about $2,000 per year. The first four winners of the $500 grants will be announced tonight, Frye said.

To be eligible, students must have at least a C average and be able to prove financial need. They do not have to be athletes.

Mourning was not available for comment.

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