Cousins Subs© Driven at Heart Scholarship Contest Returns

MILWAUKEE (February 2, 2026) – Cousins Subs®, alongside the Make It Better Foundation and Green Bay football legend Donald Driver, is bringing back the Driven at Heart Scholarship Contest for its fourth year. The program will award $20,000 in scholarships to four Wisconsin high school senior athletes and includes a memorable opportunity for recipients to meet Driver at the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame’s 76th Annual Induction Ceremony.

Since its launch in 2013, the scholarship program has awarded $240,000 to 52 Wisconsin student-athletes who demonstrate achievement in the classroom, on the field and in their communities. Originally known as the Wisconsin Sports Awards Scholarship Contest, the program was reintroduced as Driven at Heart with guidance from Driver and the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame.

“This scholarship is about recognizing students who put in the work every day, whether that’s in sports, school or giving back,” Driver said. “I love being able to celebrate young athletes who lead with heart and are driven to make a difference beyond the game.”

Wisconsin high school seniors graduating in 2026 are encouraged to apply throughout the month of February. Eligible students must participate in a WIAA-sanctioned sport, maintain strong academic standing and demonstrate community involvement.

Following the application period, four recipients will be selected by the Cousins Subs Make It Better Foundation Board of Directors in collaboration with Driver and the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame. The scholarships include two $7,500 awards and two $2,500 awards, with one male and one female recipient in each category.

The finalists and their families will be honored at the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame’s 76th Annual Induction Ceremony in July 2026 in Milwaukee. 

“At Cousins Subs, giving back has always been at the heart of who we are,” said Christine Specht, CEO of Cousins Subs. “Through the Driven at Heart Scholarship Contest, we’re proud to support student-athletes who show determination, leadership and a genuine commitment to their communities.”

Scholarships are funded through the Cousins Subs Make It Better Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on supporting health and wellness, hunger and youth education initiatives.

For eligibility details and to apply, visit cousinssubs.com/DrivenAtHeart. Applications must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. CST on Feb. 28, 2026. Mailed supporting documents must be postmarked by Feb. 28, 2026.

About the Make It Better Foundation

Established in 2013, the Make It Better Foundation is a nonprofit charitable organization that aims to improve the general welfare and quality of life in the communities Cousins Subs serves. The foundation is dedicated to funding three areas of interest that are vital to any community: health and wellness, hunger and youth education. Since its inception, the Make It Better Foundation has awarded more than $1.4 million in grants and scholarships to students and nonprofit organizations throughout Wisconsin. For more information on the Make It Better Foundation, visit www.cousinssubs.com/foundation.

About the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame

The Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame celebrates Wisconsin athletic icons of Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow. The Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame was Founded in 1951 – the first state Athletic Hall of Fame in the United States. The Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame (1951) was created before the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1963) or the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (1959). The Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame Foundation’s Mission: To preserve Wisconsin’s rich history of athletic excellence, celebrate the values and virtues of sports and to inspire the principles of Teamwork, Leadership and Character development from Wisconsin’s greatest athletic heroes to our athletes of the future so that we can positively impact the culture and life lessons of youth athletics in Wisconsin and beyond. We strive to make athletics more affordable, impactful and accessible for all. For more information, please visit www.WiHallofFame.com.

About Cousins Subs

Wisconsin-based Cousins Subs®, a family-owned, fast casual sub shop established in 1972 by Bill Specht and his cousin, is driven by the mission to Believe in Better – both in the quality of food it serves and in the communities it supports. Cousins Subs and its franchisees operate nearly 100 sub sandwich shops throughout Wisconsin and Indiana, providing guests with quality deli fresh and made to order grilled subs using only the freshest ingredients on its signature bread baked daily. For more information, visit cousinssubs.com. You can also find Cousins Subs on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.