Twenty-five high school students from the Philadelphia area who have learned how to play ice hockey over the years will now be able to attend West Chester University at no cost, thanks to a $500,000 scholarship made possible by the Give Something Back Foundation and Ed Snider Youth Hockey.

Students who participate in the Snider Youth Hockey program may apply for these scholarships this spring for admission in the fall 2017 semester. Students must meet WCU’s admission requirements.

Robert Carr, Founder and Chairman of Give Something Back, and Scott Tharp, President and CEO of Snider Hockey, will present a $500,000 check to WCU President Chris Fiorentino during a special ceremony announcing the collaborative partnership today at noon in Philips Autograph Library.

“We’ve been able to use hockey as ‘the hook’ to gain and hold the attention of our students as they successfully matriculate through high school,” said Tharp. “Now, through this important partnership with West Chester University, we can continue to support these students in the next step of their lives – college.”

Give Something Back and the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation are dedicated to helping youth who are academically motivated to excel despite financial challenges.

The former is a national public charity that provides mentoring and scholarships to academically driven students of modest means, giving them the opportunity to graduate from college in four years, debt-free.

Ed Snider Youth Hockey, created in 2005 by Philadelphia Flyers Chairman Ed Snider, uses the sport of hockey to help build lives, unite communities, and help educate young people so they can succeed.

Richard T. Przywara, the executive director of the West Chester University Foundation, described Give Something Back and Snider Hockey as “student-centered organizations.”

“Playing a sport – in this case, ice hockey – emphasizes character development, life skills, health, and academics,” said Przywara. “This joint-venture program can provide the support necessary for these students to overcome challenges and gain the rewards of a WCU degree.

“Providing these qualified students – who otherwise, financially, would not be able to attend college – a path to educational success can be transformative.”