The Youngstown State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is honored to announce the creation of the Wally Bell Memorial Scholarship to enhance the YSU Athletics Scholarship Endowment Fund.
The scholarship was established by the Penguin Club to honor Youngstown-area native and former Major League Baseball umpire Wally Bell. Bell passed away in 2013.
The scholarship will support a student-athlete who personifies hard work, dedication and a commitment to the Mahoning Valley. Bell, who was a proud supporter of YSU Athletics, graduated from Austintown Fitch High School in 1983. He began his umpiring career as a 17-year-old in local youth leagues. He then spent several years working his way up the minor league system until he reached the Major Leagues in 1992.
A well-respected umpire by his peers and many Major Leaguers, he worked the 2006 World Series, three All-Star Games, seven Division series and four League Championship Series during his accomplished career. He umpired the first game in New York City after the September 11, 2001 terror attacks. Bell was working first base when Barry Bonds broke MLB's all-time home run record on August 7, 2007.
Most importantly, he was a proud father and is remembered for his devotion to his two children. He always remained loyal to his hometown and proudly supported Youngstown State University.
John Hirschbeck, a veteran Major League umpire who resides in nearby Poland, was a long-time friend of Bell’s. Hirschbeck said this scholarship endowment would be special to Bell.
“I miss Wally every day,” Hirschbeck said. “I was fortunate to have him as a best friend and we worked over 900 Major League games together. Wally would be very proud of this scholarship in his memory.”
A student-athlete on the YSU baseball team will be the recipient of the endowment which will be awarded for the first time this fall.
Paul McFadden, President of the YSU Foundation, said Bell took it as a privilege to be a Major League umpire and was very proud to say he was from Youngstown.
“Wally loved what he did and he was a true professional,” McFadden said. “He was also a very generous person and was always happy to help our community in any way possible. The memory of Wally Bell will always be honored by a deserving baseball 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
