On January 30, representatives from Goals and Assists — the partnership between Give Something Back and the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation, presented a $500,000 check to Neumann University that would pre-pay scholarships for students in need.
President and CEO of the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation, Scott Tharp, and Board of Directors Chairman Bill Whitmore presented the check to university president, Dr. Chris Domes. President Domes expressed his gratitude for Neumann University being chosen as the fifth partner school for Goals and Assists. He compared the mission statement of Goals and Assists to that of Neumann University — and found them to be aligned in important ways.
“Our students are bigger than just a sport; bigger than just a classroom experience,” President Domes said. “We are transforming lives together,”
The Goals and Assists program, with its focus on teaching good citizenship to scholars, matches how Neumann University works to imbue students with a sense of responsibility and stewardship in their community and beyond.
“We’re proud of all our university partners, and Neumann is one of the few universities that targets the type of child we serve,” said Tharp, referring to Neumann University’s student population where 99% receive financial aid of some kind and 75% are the first in their family to attend college.
Scott and Bill also presented President Domes and Board Chair Ann Baiada with honorary hockey jerseys – both sporting #20 to commemorate 2020.
President Domes concluded the event by inviting some of the students attending Neumann University through the Goals and Assists program to join them for a photo. One of the students, Georgia Wunder, is currently in her freshman year at Neumann. She plays on the women’s hockey team and appreciates the positive impact the program has had on her personally.
“Snider [Youth Hockey Foundation] has helped me in terms of being a better citizen and conducting myself professionally,” Wunder said. She explained that the organization’s influence is not merely athletics-based — she has learned valuable soft skills that will better equip her to deal with scouting and networking throughout her athletic and academic career.
Neumann University, located in Aston, Pennsylvania, promises to be an excellent partner for Give Back and the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation through the Goals and Assists program. The five pillars that hold up the ceiling of the Bayada Atrium within the school’s Mirenda Center for Sport, Spirituality and Character Development each list one word that rings true for scholars in the Goals and Assists program: Play, Beauty, Reflection, Balance, and Respect.
