Al Lucas Foundation celebrates 20 years with annual scholarship luncheon

The foundation held its annual scholarship award luncheon for the seven Bibb County recipients.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The Al Lucas Foundation celebrated its 20th anniversary Thursday with a scholarship luncheon at the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, honoring the life and legacy of the late Al Lucas, a former NFL and Arena Football League player who died from an on-field injury in 2005.

Family members, community leaders and supporters gathered to recognize Lucas’s impact on Bibb County and celebrate the achievements of seven local high school seniors awarded scholarships in his name.

Lucas, a graduate of Northeast High School in Macon, died at the age of 26 after suffering a spinal cord injury while making a tackle during an Arena Football League game. In the two decades since his passing, his family and supporters have turned his legacy into a platform for uplifting youth through education.

This year’s Al Lucas Scholarship recipients include Micaiah Howard and Destinee Waller of Northeast High School—the home of the football facility named in Lucas’s honor—along with Donald Williams (Howard High), Ambra Cystrunk (Central High), Joan D’Aguilar (Rutland High), Kaila Lucas (Westside High), and Aidan Young (Southwest High).

“It means a lot to me,” said Howard. “I’m very blessed and thankful for the Al Lucas Scholarship. It’s helping me out with college and academics. I’m going to Clayton State University to play football, and it’s going to help me out tremendously. It’ll help out a lot of kids coming up from similar or tougher backgrounds.”

D’Aguilar shared her emotional connection to the award.

“Memorial scholarships are a beautiful way to celebrate someone’s life,” she said. “I think everyone who received one is very deserving. It’s also a moment of self-reflection—you can see yourself in Al Lucas’s life. That’s powerful.”

Lucas’s widow, De’Shonda Lucas, spoke about the foundation’s growth and mission since its founding in 2005.

“Approaching 20 years brings a deep sense of joy,” she said. “The legacy continues, even as we see Bibb County’s athletes achieve great things. Al stood for perseverance—and 20 years reflects just that. He’d be proud of his family, of me, and this entire community. Bibb County is the core of who I am, and it always feels good to give back.”

To mark the 20th anniversary, the foundation announced a new fundraising goal of $20,000. De’Shonda Lucas encouraged the public to contribute, highlighting the foundation’s inclusive approach.

“There are no borders,” she said. “Every student in Bibb County—male, female, every race, every religion—is represented by the Al Lucas Scholarship Award.”