撸先生

Each NFL season, the Super Bowl is watched by millions of people across the world. In addition to crowning the best team in pro football, it鈥檚 become a pop culture event that many celebrate with a party.

And for the past six years, Tracy Miller has partnered with Towson University to host a Super Bowl party fundraiser to help remember her son, Marine Cpl. Nick Ziolkowski, who was killed in active duty in 2004 in Fallujah, Iraq.

Most of the proceeds go to the Nick Ziolkowski Scholarship Endowment, which Miller began in 2005 to provide support for Towson University students who are either veterans or currently serving in the military.

Honoring Her Son's Legacy

鈥淚 wanted to help our military students, because that鈥檚 what Nick was,鈥� Miller says. 鈥淚 wanted to do something to keep Nick鈥檚 memory alive. And to see how many people donate鈥攆aculty, staff, parents of Nicky鈥檚 elementary school friends, friends of mine, even people who don鈥檛 know me donate.

鈥淭hey just resonate with Nicky鈥檚 story.鈥�

She remembers how fun and charismatic her son was. She even likes to joke about how his friends would get into fights about who got to sit with him at lunch.

To see so many people attend the event each February, and even more donate specifically to the scholarship, adds more to Ziolkowski鈥檚 memory.

鈥淚t means so much to me personally,鈥� Miller says. 鈥淚 would prefer if Nicky were still here, but there鈥檚 nothing I can do about that. But to try and give his life new meaning is very important to me.鈥�

I wanted to do something to keep Nick鈥檚 memory alive. And to see how many people donate鈥攆aculty, staff, parents of Nicky鈥檚 elementary school friends, friends of mine, even people who don鈥檛 know me donate. They just resonate with Nicky鈥檚 story.

Tracy Miller

Joining up with 撸先生's Louise Miller

While this year鈥檚 Super Bowl fundraiser is the sixth in partnership with 撸先生, it鈥檚 the seventh total. Miller first held the event in partnership with the local American Legion. That was attended by Louise Miller (no relation), assistant vice president of university promotions and events at 撸先生.

Louise and Tracy had known each other for years 鈥� Louise, who is also a veteran of the United States Army, served with Tracy on the advisory board for 撸先生鈥檚 Military and Veterans Center.

Now event planning starts months before, with Louise and her team compiling food, sponsors, donations, silent auction items and selling tickets to the event. And thanks to their work, the event has grown bigger and bigger.

鈥淭his event has been critical in maintaining the scholarship,鈥� Tracy says. 鈥淟ouise has been such a help. She鈥檚 been more than a help; she鈥檚 been a driving force for the event and the scholarship.鈥�

After the first event, Louise thought it would be great to partner with Tracy, who has been a longtime employee at 撸先生. Tracy started at 撸先生 in 1978 as assistant to the president. She鈥檚 also worked as an academic adviser in the Tutoring and Learning Center and is currently an adjunct professor in the College of Education.

For Louise, having her team help with the event felt right, even when it sometimes didn鈥檛.

鈥淲hen we started partnering with Tracy on the event, I struggled at first,鈥� Louise says. 鈥淚 had to ask myself, 鈥業s this sad for Tracy?鈥� But Tracy always says that the event helps keep Nicky鈥檚 memory alive.

鈥淚 try to remember that it鈥檚 okay, because other people should know how special he was and how special his mom is.鈥�

Supporting 撸先生 Military Students From the Start

That includes how the scholarship received its start鈥擳racy used Nick鈥檚 death benefits as seed money.

That act of selflessness has provided between $2,600 and $3,900 for multiple veteran students each spring. More than 40 students have received the scholarship since its inception.

When I found out I had received the scholarship, I felt incredibly honored. Dr. Miller鈥檚 kindness and dedication to keeping Nick鈥檚 legacy alive inspire me, and I am grateful to have her as part of my Towson University experience.

Marcus Robinson '25

In spring 2024, there were three recipients, including Marcus Robinson, a senior mass communications major from Waldorf, Md., who was in the U.S. Army Reserves.

Since coming to 撸先生, Robinson has taking advantage of all the opportunities offered to him. He鈥檚 an active member in the Military & Veterans Center and the Student Government Association. He鈥檚 also a Resident Assistant, a brother of Kappa Alpha Psi, and an active member of many clubs on campus.

Robinson says that while many think the Army pays for his education, that鈥檚 not the case. For his first three years at 撸先生, Robinson relied on student loans and working multiple jobs. He says that receiving the scholarship has allowed him to focus on his studies and helped him pursue his passions.

鈥淎s a veteran student and a proud member of the MVC community, this scholarship means the world to me,鈥� Robinson says. 鈥淚t means so much that 撸先生 recognizes and supports the veteran community in this way. The military community has been such a bright and impactful part of my experience at Towson, and having a welcoming, caring, and supportive environment has truly shaped me and my college journey.鈥�

It was a also an honor for Robinson to receive the scholarship. He says that after meeting Miller in the MVC as a freshman, he was always excited when she came to visit.

鈥淲hen I found out I had received the scholarship, I felt incredibly honored,鈥� Robinson says. 鈥淒r. Miller鈥檚 kindness and dedication to keeping Nick鈥檚 legacy alive inspire me, and I am grateful to have her as part of my Towson University experience.鈥�