Honoring a Legacy

Scholarship for students suffering parental loss created as a memorial to Trevor Hornsby, an MTSU alumnus and greatgrandson of a baseball legend

by Brian Delaney

In the heart of middle Tennessee, the legacy of Trevor William Hornsby (’15) lives on. More than just a son, a husband, a father, or a brother, he was a beacon of love, commitment, and compassion for all who knew him.

In the wake of his death last fall, his family, friends, and Blue Raider community have come together to eternalize his memory in the most touching of ways: by paving the path for others in his name.

The Trevor Hornsby Memorial Scholarship Fund at MTSU uniquely provides support for students who have experienced the loss of a parent. Trevor left a young family behind, and his widow said she wanted to assist families who faced similar situations.

“The impact of a father on children’s lives is huge. With Trevor not being here, he can still help another family and step into a place where he could help somebody,” said Taylor Adams Hornsby (’15), his high school and college sweetheart and mother of their sons, Liam, 4, and Brooks, 2.

True Blue Through and Through

Growing up in Murfreesboro, Trevor had a family with strong ties to MTSU, as many are proud alumni. Parents Brad (’78) and Karen (’79) Hornsby raised Trevor, twin brother Austin, and their other siblings, Aubrey, Allyson (’10), and “unofficial brother” Steve Carstensen, with unwavering devotion.

As he grew, Trevor's love for sports developed, particularly for St. Louis Cardinals baseball as the great-grandson of Hall of Famer Rogers Hornsby. He excelled on fields of play himself, contributing to state championships in 2008 for the Oakland High School football team and the Murfreesboro Strikers ’92 soccer squad.

Trevor also was a scholar and earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from MTSU in 2015. For nearly 10 years, he served National HealthCare Corp. in Murfreesboro, rising to the role of regional accountant.

His greatest joy came from his family. Introduced to Taylor by sister Allyson, Trevor met his soulmate at age 15. Their love story began at an Oakland football game and unfolded with adventures around the globe.

After Taylor graduated early from Oakland and enrolled at MTSU, Trevor ultimately followed his heart to MTSU as well.

From taking a speech class together to sharing quiet moments between classes, Taylor and Trevor cherished their time as a collegiate couple, sometimes even over a meal of Chick-Fil-A while sitting outside at the Quad. In 2015, they graduated from MTSU on the same day, with Taylor earning her degree in Textiles, Merchandising, and Design.

Exploring the World Together

Trevor always found his happiest moments with Taylor by his side. They loved exploring the world together and didn’t waste a moment.

“We road-tripped through Ireland after graduation. And took a trip to Italy and Greece,” Taylor remembered fondly. “We traveled a lot together. That was our No. 1 hobby we did together.”

The couple married in 2018 and delighted in weekends relaxing at the lake, embarking on family boat rides with their two young sons.

Tragically, Trevor's journey was cut short on Oct. 28, 2023. Amid the sorrow, his family found solace in the outpouring of love and support from their community. Taylor and her extended family established the scholarship fund to honor his legacy while helping others.

“We have a big chunk of memories here [at MTSU], and Trevor was a giver,” Taylor said. “He would have really liked the idea of helping somebody who didn’t have resources of their own. Just to get them a foot ahead.”

Paying It Forward

Trevor’s dedication to his education and diligence in his accounting career is perfectly encapsulated in this scholarship.

“He was brilliant,” Taylor recalled proudly. “I think it’s fitting for the money to go toward academics because he was so naturally good at it. He had an amazing work ethic.”

With an initial contribution of $10,000 and subsequent donations from the community, the scholarship fund quickly grew beyond $40,000, a testament to the impact Trevor had on those around him.

“The Hornsby family has been overwhelmed by the support we have been given,” said Brad Hornsby, an attorney in Murfreesboro. "Trevor's memory will extend for many decades and give many students who have lost a parent an opportunity for a college education at MTSU."

Mark Clark, executive director of MTSU’s Development Office, underscores that the Hornsby Memorial Scholarship is the first of its kind. It is open to any student who has lost a parent or parents.

“We urge every student to apply for scholarships, regardless of their financial situation," Clark said. “Our scholarship application system connects applicants with suitable opportunities based on their self-reported details. Prior to this, there were no scholarships specifically tailored for students grappling with parental loss, making this newfound availability truly remarkable.”

If you would like to learn more about the scholarship or how you can create a legacy of your own, contact Mark Clark at mark.clark@mtsu.edu or 615-904-8409.

Blue Raider connections run deep

Well-versed in the impact of scholarships, Trevor Hornsby’s father, Brad, had his own educational journey propelled by the Elizabeth Buford Shepherd scholarship. The scholarship not only covered his tuition, but also provided for most of his books from 1974 to his graduation with honors in 1978.

Brad’s future wife, Karen, embarked on her own educational path at MTSU in 1975, earning a degree in Criminal Justice by 1979. Both pursued further studies at the University of Tennessee Law School, where they eventually crossed paths, and then proudly served their country in the U.S. Air Force.

In 1987, the couple returned to Murfreesboro, where Brad Hornsby has held MTSU basketball tickets as a devoted fan ever since. Their intertwined journey not only exemplifies the impact of scholarships on individual lives but also emphasizes the enduring connection between education, service, and community.

On the other side of the family, Stephen Decker— the grandfather of Trevor’s widow, Taylor—is a Communication Studies faculty member at MTSU.