A dream team – a story of two Saginaw Township Community Schools educators who came together over their love for basketball, helping student athletes and their vision to develop one of the most elite girls basketball programs in the state of Michigan. Tim Conley knew he wanted a championship-caliber staff surrounding him. With the assistance of his dear friend and colleague, John Rush, they built bonds to last a lifetime.
Timothy Conley was a Special Education Teacher/Teacher Consultant for 41 years and a basketball coach for 30 years. He began his career in Houston, Tex. and continued to teach and coach boys and girls basketball at Eisenhower High School, White Pine Middle School, and Heritage High School. He led a successful program, achieving five district and four regional championships, an undefeated season to the state quarterfinals, and finally a Class A state finals appearance in 2001. In 2002, the team was crowned the Class A State Champions. Tim was awarded Coach of the Year, designated by conference, by region, as girls state coach, or Class A Overall State Coach of the Year, in 15 separate distinctions. While coaching, Tim served as a Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan (BCAM) Mentor for Coaches and member of the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) Rules Committee. Additionally, Tim developed and implemented a statewide recruiting event as Director of BCAM’s Reaching Higher Girl’s Showcase program and served a term as the President for BCAM.
John Rush was a teacher for over 30 years, beginning in Missouri before moving to Saginaw, Mich. where he taught in the Saginaw Township Community Schools. Although he taught many subjects throughout his career at almost every school, his first love was athletics. He taught physical education at every elementary school, as well as the middle school. In addition to teaching, John was very involved in coaching boys and girls basketball at the middle school and high school level. He coached two undefeated girls teams at the middle and high school. His 1996 JV team went 20-0. After retiring as a coach, he continued being involved keeping the stats at Heritage High School and announcing the Hawks basketball games and Saginaw Valley State University. In 2011, he was inducted in the BCAM Hall of Honor as a lifelong Friend of Basketball.
In memory of John Rush, who passed away in January 2023, Tim has established this scholarship in both of their names to be given annually to a Heritage High School female basketball player who achieved a 3.0 grade point average. The success of the program guided 25 female ball players to play collegiate basketball. May their efforts and love for the game live on and may the dream continue.
Qualifications
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- High School Senior graduating from Heritage High School
- Pursuing an undergraduate degree at a Michigan college or University
- Full-time enrollment
- Applicant must have played on the Heritage High School Girls Basketball team
Review Criteria
- Leadership (40)
- Community Service (20)
- Citizenship/Character (20)
- Academic Performance (10)
- Recommendation (10)