HINDMAN, Ky (WYMT) - In 1986, WYMT's founder Ralph Gabbard wanted a basketball tournament that would showcase eastern Kentucky talent.

In 1988 the first Mountain Basketball Classic was held.

Part of that idea was to use the proceeds from the tournament for academic scholarships.

The Ralph Gabbard Memorial Broadcast Scholarship fund is just one of several provided by the mountain classic, and is awarded to students with an interest in the communications field.

Ben Fugate from Knott County Central High School is one of the Ralph Gabbard Memorial Broadcast Scholarship winners for 2013.

Currently Fugate works for the radio station in Hindman, WKCB.

Fugate says working for WKCB has given him invaluable experience in a field he hopes to pursue.

"A bunch of different things. I help out with most of the ball games, pretty much all of the ball games," said Fugate.

Although he is uncertain about where he will attend college in the fall, he says the Ralph Gabbard Memorial Broadcast Scholarship will help him achieve his goal of majoring in broadcasting and minoring in Computers.

"For one thing, it's helping me have money to go to college. and money is hard to come by," said Fugate.

"He is very deserving of this. He is highly disciplined, he takes computer classes at our technical school just up the road. Very proud of him," said guidance counselor Sally Brashear.

Ben Fugate says he will probably either go to Morehead State University or Hazard Community and Technical College.