The Youngstown State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is pleased to announce the Simerlink Family Scholarship to enhance the YSU Athletics Scholarship Endowment Fund.
This scholarship was recently established by Mr. and Mrs. Robert and Patty (Halko) Simerlink were married in 1991 and are both life-long residents of the Mahoning Valley, graduating in 1985 from Poland Seminary High School and Austintown Fitch High School, respectively, as student-athletes.
Patty earned two undergraduate degrees in Applied Science and General Studies with honors from YSU before dedicating her career to Respiratory Therapy care in the Mahoning Valley. As a local businessman, Bob was recognized as a national leader in the healthcare-consulting field, as well as a community leader in the Mahoning Valley through his various work on several local foundations and boards.
The two, along with their son, Steffen, created this scholarship as a way for their family’s legacy to help a local student-athlete reach their full academic and athletic potential at Youngstown State University.
The recipient of the scholarship endowment will alternate annually between a member of the team and a member of the women’s basketball team. The member of the football team must be either a kicker, punter or long snapper. Preference for the scholarship will be given to an athlete from Mahoning, Trumbull or Columbiana County and a major in respiratory therapy.
The 2018-19 recipient of the scholarship endowment is women’s basketball student-athlete McKenah Peters. Peters is a sophomore from LaGrange, Ohio, who is majoring in Exercise Science. As a freshman in 2017-18, she played in 32 games for the Penguins and scored 164 points while grabbing 79 rebounds.
"As long-time supporters of YSU, we know the importance the University has on fostering growth of students in the area, providing them with a first-class educational experience that rivals schools many are looking to attend out of our area," Robert Simerlink said. “In order to do that, it is imperative that individuals within our community do more and give more to fulfill the mission of lifting YSU into the upper echelon of schools for athletes to excel at on the field and in the classroom. Our commitment to the YSU Foundation in the creation of this scholarship is a way for us to give back to a University that has not only give us so much, but to support a local athlete by giving him or her an opportunity to stay to experience the rewards YSU has to offer his or her educational and athletic experiences in college through a tribute to our families who gave us the same opportunity."
"YSU has always held a special place in my heart," said Patty Simerlink. “As a student, a fan and, now, as an endowment supporter, this University has provided us with an opportunity to make a difference in our community. We are honored to have our family name be a part of the tradition and legacy the YSU Foundation is making for student athletes for years to come."
Paul McFadden, President of the YSU Foundation, said the Simerlink’s know the full-time commitment it takes to be a successful student-athlete.
"We are thrilled to have Patty and Robert Simerlink endow a scholarship here at YSU," McFadden said. "They know the importance of education and the time commitment it takes to be a student-athlete."
For more information, or to endow an athletic scholarship at Youngstown State University, contact Dan Kopp at the YSU Foundation at (330) 941-3211 or dkopp@ysufoundation.org
