Why I Give: A Legacy Built on Home Runs and Homecoming
Larry Mercer grew up with two constants in his life: baseball and Daytona Beach. Both shaped the person he became. One was the passion passed down from his father and coach, Clarence Mercer. The other was the place he always knew he would return to. Now, Larry and his wife Pamela are honoring both by investing in the futures of Embry-Riddle student-athletes.
The Mercer Family Baseball Scholarship celebrates the game that has given Larry joy since childhood and the city that gave him his start in life. “My baseball connection is in honor of my father,” he says. “He instilled the love of the game in my blood.” Clarence taught discipline, teamwork and how to dust yourself off after the bad hops. Larry sees those same values alive on Embry-Riddle’s diamond today.
A Scholarship with Staying Power
Through a generous commitment, the Mercers are strengthening Embry-Riddle Baseball for years to come. Their gift includes:
- Term scholarships supporting student-athletes in 2025 and 2026;
- Contributions that build a permanent endowed scholarship fund.
Endowed support means that long after the final out of a season, the Mercer name will continue helping hard-working Eagles push their dreams forward. Awards may follow deserving players year after year, as long as they meet the criteria and continue earning that success both on the field and in the classroom.
Rewarding Grit On and Off the Field
This investment celebrates the relentless spirit of Embry-Riddle student-athletes who balance early morning sessions with demanding coursework across engineering, aviation, business and the sciences. It honors competitors who lead in the classroom, lift their teammates and represent the university with integrity and drive. For Larry, these students embody the same grit, discipline and determination he learned on the diamond, the courage to chase their goals higher than the fence line and beyond the horizon.
This investment supports the young competitors who balance 6 a.m. workouts with engineering problem sets. It recognizes the students who push themselves to win at the plate and in the lab. It reflects what Larry sees in Embry-Riddle athletes: the grit to chase their goals higher than the fence line, whether reaching for a fly ball or a future in aerospace.
Coming Home, Giving Back
For Larry, this gift is also personal. He was born in Daytona Beach and always imagined returning—not just to reside here, but to contribute something meaningful to the community he loves. Years of reflection led him right back to the airport campus that fuels the region’s spirit of innovation and competition.
“With this gift to Embry-Riddle, it is my desire to create a legacy for the Mercer family that will honor our lifetime values and reward student-athletes a positive start in life via our financial involvement,” he explains. “I have found no better way to do this than to connect myself and my family to this school as proud supporters and sponsors of its student-athletes.”
A Father’s Example, A Family’s Legacy
By linking his father’s love of baseball to the next generation of Eagles, Larry is turning cherished memories into future opportunity. Pamela shares that purpose, committing their family’s name to the belief that a strong start can change the entire trajectory of a life.
Every student who earns a Mercer scholarship will step onto the field knowing they represent a family that cares about their success. Their hard work is preparing them not only for game day, but for careers that will take them further than they ever imagined.
The Mercer family has returned home to invest in those values. Embry-Riddle Baseball will carry them forward, season after season.