MARIETTA, Ohio — For nearly three decades Ken and Betty Stollar have dedicated time and effort in support of the Marietta College athletics through their affiliation with the Men's Basketball Foster Parent Program.

On Feb. 6, the couple will be honored for their contributions and leadership when they receive the Distinguished Service Award at the 2010 Marietta College Hall of Fame Banquet. 

The Hall of Fame Banquet, which takes place at 7 p.m. inside the Dyson Baudo Recreation Center, caps off a busy Winter Weekend at Marietta College that includes a track & field meet as well as a men's and women's varsity basketball game. It also features alumni games for men's and women's basketball and volleyball. To reserve your tickets, contact Wendy Thieman at (740) 376-4665 or stop by the Athletics Office. Tickets are $25.

This year's Hall of Fame inductees are All-America infielder Chuck Nachreiner '79, All-Region setter Jenny Kroger '89, All-America defensive back Bryan Bown '94, All-Region center Jason Hayes '97 and All-America pitcher Bob Davies '98. [Read Hall of Fame announcement]

Created in 1984, The Distinguished Service Award is designed to honor individuals who do not qualify for Hall of Fame induction but whose outstanding service and contributions to Marietta College Athletics deserve recognition. The Stollars will become the 16th honorees in the last 26 years.

The Stollars, both natives of Marietta, grew up across the street from each other. They have been married 38 years and have two children, Brian Stollar and Betsy Karas. Ken is the owner of Belpre Aquarium and Fish 'n' Stuff, while Betty is a retired elementary school teacher.

"We joined the Foster Parent Program in 1981," Betty said. "Ken and I were looking for a hobby that we could share with our children. Since we both enjoyed sports, the Foster Parent Program seemed to fit our needs. We were actually on a waiting list before we could join."

Coach Phil Roach established the Foster Parent Program in the 1970s. The mission is to be a support group for Marietta College's men's basketball team. Families are assigned one or two players each year and host a series of social events for the team. Those events include a Meet the Team Night after its preseason scrimmage, a Holiday Dinner and a series of Overtime Receptions following weekend home games.

"The Foster Parent program enriches our lives," the Stollars said. "A love of family is very important and our goal is to do anything to help these men feel a home connection. Our children had role models to learn from and admire. They looked at their foster brothers as if they were real brothers."

That feeling of family was shared by all of the Stollars' foster sons, including former Pioneer basketball player Matt Rucker '07.

"The Foster Parent Program at Marietta meant a great deal to me as a player," Rucker said. "Being a new student-athlete in a new town was a little intimidating, but having the Foster Parent Program at Marietta helped me to be comfortable in my new surroundings."

The Stollars have served as foster parents for more than a dozen men's basketball players. They include Jeff Kruckman, Michael Lewis, Darren Wilson, Kyle Cameron, Matt Littlefield (adopted unofficially), John Roberts, Ryan Zundell, Kevin Darby, Craig Trapp, Chad Spence, Isaiah Creasap, Bradley Hinton, Rucker and current freshman Jason Humphrey (Naples, Fla./Barron Collier).

"I could not have asked for a better set of foster parents than the Stollars," Rucker said. "Ken and Betty always went out of their way to make sure I was having a great experience at Marietta and they always made me feel like I was at home. They truly have become a second set of parents to me, and I cannot thank them enough for the care and support that they gave me during my four years at Marietta College."

The Stollars' role in their foster son's lives didn't stop after graduation. They have enjoyed sharing in their foster sons' weddings and children's births but especially the visits with them and their own families over the years.

"We can hardly go to an away game without running into one of the foster families or former basketball players," Betty said. "It is so much fun seeing them with their own families."

Alumni Weekend is also very special to the Stollars as they enjoy having the boys and their families back in Marietta.

"We usually have dinner after the game, and I love to see and play with our foster grandchildren," Betty said. "The friendships are renewed and it feels good to have them home again."

After spending the first 10 years as foster parents, the Stollars took on more of a leadership role with in the program under the helm of former coach Doug Foote and continue to serve in the capacity under Coach Jon VanderWal.

"I am very excited that Ken and Betty Stollar are receiving the Distinguished Service Award," VanderWal said. "Their leadership with our Foster Parent Program has enhanced our student-athletes' experience at Marietta. We are very grateful for all the time, energy and effort that they have put into our program. Their dedication to Marietta Basketball and our Foster Parent Program are unmatched and greatly appreciated."

The Marietta College Foster Parent Program has changed very little over the years. Similar programs for both women's basketball and softball have also formed within Pioneer athletics. 

"The one consistent goal is to make men feel at home when they are away from home," Betty said. "A lot of different families come and go, but the goal remains the same. I admire and thank Phil Roach for allowing us to join the program. We want to thank President Scott, Larry Hiser and Coach VanderWal for continuing the program."

The Stollars' support for Marietta College athletics extends beyond the men's basketball program as they enjoy watching all of their hometown teams play.

"The Marietta community is very sports minded and people come to us and want to be in the program," Betty said. "They hear about the fun other families have with their foster sons and want to be a part of it. That makes me feel proud!"

When asked what they would say to local families that are considering making the Foster Parent Program a part of their lives, the Stollars said, "We would ask the family if they were ready to have their family life enriched with a role model for their children. We would encourage them to try the foster family program and see how much their children are impacted by these student-athletes."