Jack Thoreson Memorial
Scholarship Foundation

The Jack Thoreson Memorial Scholarship Foundation was established in 2001 by the Family and Friends of John "Jack" Thoreson. 

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Jack was born in Pierre, South Dakota in 1953. He and his family moved to Escondido, California in 1956. Growing up in Escondido, Jack excelled in sports and, early on, became very excited about Escondido High athletics.

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Watching games, going to matches, reading the write-ups in the Times Advocate newspaper, pouring over the "Gong" yearbooks his older brothers and sisters had, he couldn't wait for the day he would wear the Orange and Black and be a Cougar! And once he did, rarely did anyone play with the swagger and toughness that Jack possessed.

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Football, Wrestling and Baseball were his sports at EHS. With outstanding coaches and excellent teammates, Jack was able to rack up a wide variety of personal and team honors. League titles & CIF appearances were commonplace during his three years playing on EHS Varsity teams. Being named All-League and All-CIF also came to Jack. He was named Coaches All American Honorable Mention for his 1970 football season and was selected to represent California and played against Hawaii in the 1971 Aloha Classic.

Jack also went on to play Football and Wrestle at Palomar Jr. College. In football, he was named All Mission Conference for both his Freshman and Sophomore years with MVP Honors in football for his Sophomore year.

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Jack, ever proud to be a Cougar, passed away in 1996, aged 43, leaving behind his daughter Deena, his extended family and many loyal friends.  In 2001, the Jack Thoreson Memorial Scholarship Foundation was established by those wanting honor his memory by assisting graduating Escondido High seniors to go on to college and continue their academic and athletic pursuits.

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In 2011, Jack was inducted into the Escondido High School Hall of Fame.

Since 2001, Jack Thoreson’s memory has inspired $46,750 in awards to 50 worthy EHS recipients.