Donor Spotlight: Scott Lustig ’79

By: Rowan Hall ’26

For Scott Lustig ’79, the years spent wearing maroon and gold shaped not only his future but also his lifelong passion for giving back. A standout center on the Kutztown University Football team from 1975-1979, Scott’s impact continues to be felt long after his final snap.

During his senior year, Scott was named to the PSAC All-Conference First Team, but his contributions to KU extend far beyond the field. A political science major, Scott began his career in coaching before changing paths to work in the sporting goods industry. He held leadership roles at Adidas and later VF Corporation, the parent company of brands like The North Face, Vans, and Timberland. Despite living in 14 different locations throughout his career, his heart never strayed far from Kutztown.

After coaching stints at West Point, Rutgers, and even overseas with the NFL-sponsored World League of American Football, Scott transitioned to the business world, ultimately retiring as a Sales Director at The North Face in 2022. He now lives in Boulder, Colorado, enjoying retirement while staying deeply connected to KU.

In 2023, Scott returned to campus for a football game and was struck by how little the Keystone Hall locker room had changed since his playing days. That visit sparked action. He joined forces with two of his former teammates, Jack McCaughn ’81 and Bernie Townes ’82, to form a committee dedicated to fundraising for the locker room renovation project. Their mission: set the “gold standard” for Division II facilities and ensure future Golden Bears have the resources they need to succeed.

Scott also found a way to honor a fallen teammate: Kevin Bowser, a fellow KU Football alum, who tragically passed away in the 9/11 attacks. In Kevin’s memory, Scott endowed a scholarship in his name. The Kevin Bowser Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a defensive player from the Philadelphia area—preferably a student from John Bartram High School—who excels academically and contributes to their community.

“I give back to KU because it gave me a bright future. I want today’s players to have the same incredible experience I did—with even better opportunities. Coach Clements has done so much with so little. Imagine what he could do with the right resources.”