The Youngstown State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is pleased to announce the creation of The United Way Scholarship to enhance the YSU Athletics Scholarship Endowment Fund.
This scholarship was established this fall by United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley. Their intent is to provide Youngstown State University minority student-athletes with the opportunity to further their academic and athletic careers in a familiar environment that will help lead to personal growth and future success.
The recipient of the scholarship will be a minority YSU student-athlete, the individual must maintain a GPA of 3.0-or-higher and be a graduate from a high school in the Mahoning Valley.
This first recipient of the endowed scholarship is track and field’s Shatasia Walker. Walker, a graduate of Chaney High School in 2011, attended Central State before transferring to YSU this fall. She will compete for the Penguins in the hurdles in the upcoming 2015-16 campaign.
Bob Hannon, President of the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley and long-time radio play-by-play voice of Penguins football, said the organization is excited to team up and help Youngstown State Athletics.
"The United Way is proud to partner with YSU in helping a local student athlete achieve their goals,” Hannon said. “Emphasizing the importance of an education is paramount to what we do at the United Way. YSU and the United Way have a strong tradition of supporting one another."
Paul McFadden, President of the YSU Foundation, said the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley has always been a strong supporter of the local community.
“The United Way has always placed a strong emphasis on young people getting a high-quality education,” McFadden said. “We are thankful for their generous gift and this endowment will make an impact on the lives of YSU student-athletes for years to come.”
For more information, or to endow an athletic scholarship at Youngstown State University, contact the YSU Foundation at (330) 941-3211 or contact Dan Kopp at dkopp@ysufoundation.org
