The Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation and Goals & Assists Scholarship Fund presented a check for $500,000 to Neumann on January 30. The gift will support 100 full-scholarship years -- including tuition, room and board -- for freshman and transfer students who participated in Snider Hockey programming as youngsters.

The 100 scholarship years will assist a minimum of 25 students (25 freshmen x 4 years each); however, the program has the potential to help more than 25 students. For instance, it could support 20 first-year students (20 x 4 years each) and 10 transfer students (10 x 2 years each) or other variations that total 100 years at Neumann. The scholarships apply for a maximum of four years per student and only to the pursuit of an undergraduate degree.

Snider Hockey Program President and CEO Scott Tharp presented the $500,000 check to Dr. Chris Domes, Neumann’s president. Members of the foundation and university boards attended the presentation as did three Neumann ice hockey players who participated in the Snider Hockey program.

“This generous gift from Snider Hockey will ensure that dozens of young women and men have the opportunity to earn Neumann University degrees and launch their careers without student loan debt,” said Dr. Domes.

“Neumann’s Franciscan values -- integrity, respect and excellence -- also provide continuity with the ideals instilled by Snider Hockey.”

He added that Neumann is the fifth university, and the first Catholic college, to collaborate with the Snider Hockey scholarship program.

According to Scott Tharp, “Snider Hockey is pleased to have a partner like Neumann University, which is committed to transforming lives of deserving students in the region.”

The essentially debt-free education is supported by the $500,000 scholarship gift, by Neumann University, and by applicable federal and state grants. All students must meet the university’s admission criteria to be eligible.

The partnership will begin with freshman and transfer students who are admitted for fall 2020.

Snider Hockey was created by the late Philadelphia Flyers Chairman Ed Snider in 2005 as his personal commitment to teach children important life lessons. Using the sport of hockey, the mission of Snider Hockey is to build lives and unite communities, helping educate young people to succeed in the game of life.

Snider Hockey programs are provided at no cost and are focused on underserved girls and boys who otherwise would not have the opportunity to play, with an emphasis on character development, life skills, fitness, nutrition, and academics. 

Both Snider Hockey and Give Back (a nonprofit created in 1999) are dedicated to helping inspire and academically motivate young people to excel, despite financial and social challenges. Through a joint venture between these two organizations, the Goals & Assists Scholarship Fund was created to provide Snider Hockey participants with the opportunity to attend college.