WHO: Coach Tim Hill, along with members of the Geneva Boxing Team, will be presented with a check to officially mark the scholarship commitment to the Geneva Boxing Team and the University of Rochester.
TIME, DATE, PLACE: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 5, in the Vandervort Room (2nd floor, Scandling Campus Center) at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, N.Y.
WHAT: Last November, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition aired a segment on the Hills, a Geneva family known for helping at-risk youths. While Ty Pennington and his crew rebuilt the Hill's home and constructed a training facility for the team, the University worked with Hill on a different gift: the creation of the Geneva Boxing Team Scholarship.
The University will also recognize Jonathan Vazquez, the first recipient of the scholarship. Vazquez, a sophomore majoring in economics, transferred to the University this fall from Finger Lakes Community College. He continues to be active with the boxing team while pursing his bachelor's degree. Through the scholarship, Vazquez will receive $40,000 toward his college expenses each year.
University administrators, along with Mayor Stu Einstein, City of Geneva; Dr. Robert Young, Superintendent of Geneva City School District; Judge Craig Doran, Ontario County Court House; John Cromartie, Geneva Center Administrator at Finger Lakes Community College; and Mark Gearan, President of Hobart and William Smith Colleges, will show support and commitment to the team.
ABOUT THE GENEVA BOXING TEAM SCHOLARSHIP: The scholarship provides up to $400,000 in financial aid over a 10-year period to Geneva Boxing Team members who demonstrate a serious commitment to the pursuit of higher education at the University of Rochester. In addition to providing financial assistance, University academic counselors will work with scholarship recipients as they make progress toward their degree.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Media interested in covering the ceremony can call Melissa Greco Lopes at 585.260.6666 or email mgrecolo@ur.rochester.edu.