ALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The University of Utah Athletics department has established the Ty Jordan Memorial Scholarship to honor the life of the freshman running back.

The Ty Jordan Memorial Scholarship was established on Tuesday, January 5. Jordan died on Christmas night in Denton, Texas near his hometown to an accidental self-inflicted gun shot wound.

The first gift to the scholarship fund will be made by head coach Kyle Whittingham and his wife Jamie, donating $100,000.

We’ve established the Ty Jordan Memorial Scholarship to honor the memory of our former football student-athlete:https://t.co/cUbV8joFNQ pic.twitter.com/F18uYQQRfm

— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) January 5, 2021

The Mesquite, Texas native ran for 597 yards and 6 touchdowns in his first season with the Utes. Jordan was named Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year, earned Associated Press Newcomer of the Year and was named a Freshman All-American by 247Sports.

The Celebration of Life for Jordan will be held in Arlington, Texas at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys on Wednesday, January 6.

Utah Athletics is encouraging those who wish to donate to the fund to do so through a secure online portal, here.

Since Jordan’s passing on Christmas night, fans, teammates, coaches and others in the community have paid tribute to his life. The school lit the U on Saturday, December 26 to honor Jordan. On that same night, the Utah Jazz held a moment of silence. People started a makeshift memorial in front of the giant silver U at the football facility with flowers, posters and pictures.

A fan of the Utes started a challenge inviting people to run 597 miles between January 1 and the opener. The Pac-12 Network aired the last three games of the 2020 season on Wednesday, December 30. Jordan rushed for over 100 yards in wins against Oregon State, Colorado and Washington State.

Texas and Colorado held a moment of silence during their Alamo Bowl matchup on Tuesday, December 29. The grounds crew for the Utes painted a heart with the number 22 on the grass at the football facility. BYU sent a care package, including a framed jersey, and dog tags with Jordan’s jersey. The dog tags will be given to every player and coach for the Utes.

Trevor Allen is a Utah Utes Insider for KSLSports.com and host of the Crimson Corner podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @TrevorASports. You can download and listen to the podcast, here.