Beginning in the 1970’s, a group of men, including Dave Tingley, Frank Machinsky, and Woody Hayes, worked together to provide financial support to former Ohio State University athletes and their families in need. Eventually, the group grew and created the Columbus Roast Association. The Columbus Roast Association created a comedy event to raise money in support of its goal to provide financial support to those in need. As the group evolved and grew, it raised significant funds through its annual Roast. In 2017, the group created this scholarship to continue its generosity by transitioning the funds it raised into a scholarship that supports high school seniors in need from Franklin and Madison counties as they pursue their college degree.