The recipients are Jordan A. Hatfield from Mingo County, Kimberly Hildreth from Lincoln County and Mercedes A. Swayne from Kanawha County. Hatfield is a 2009 graduate of Belfry High School in Kentucky, Hildreth is a 2009 graduate of Lincoln County High School and Swayne is a 2009 graduate of Capital High School.

Each student receives a $2,500 scholarship, which is the result of the sponsorship provided by the Friends of Coal for the Marshall-West Virginia University football series. Marshall will play WVU at 3:30 p.m. Saturday in Morgantown in the fourth game of the series.

Students eligible to receive the scholarship must have had high GPAs in high school, live in southern West Virginia and demonstrate high financial need.

“These scholarships are the most important and rewarding part of the Friends of Coal Bowl sponsorship as they may help keep our best and brightest here in West Virginia,” said Bill Raney, president of the West Virginia Coal Association. “The Friends of Coal Bowl is for every West Virginian who helps make the coal industry the best in the world and it is an honor to have these three outstanding students represent them. Congratulations to each of them.”

Steve Hensley, dean of Student Affairs at Marshall, said the three students are true beneficiaries of the Friends of Coal Bowl, regardless of who wins the football game.

"The Friends of Coal scholarships are a wonderful benefit from this annual football game between Marshall University and West Virginia University,” Hensley said. “These scholarships help these three worthy students reduce their indebtedness. As always, Marshall University appreciates the hard work and cooperative spirit that makes these scholarships possible.”