SYRACUSE – The 'Hoops for the Stars' program will be highlighted with an on-court presentation to honor more than 150 Syracuse area youth on Saturday, January 22 at the Syracuse University men's basketball game against Villanova at the Carrier Dome.
For the third year in a row, SU and the National Grid Foundation partnered to implement the program to provide positive reinforcement, recognition of improved academic performance and attendance in school, a decrease in negative behavior, and positive contributions to the community. The program underscores a shared commitment by Syracuse University Athletics and the National Grid Foundation to create opportunities for solutions to educational issues within the Syracuse City School District.
“We are thrilled to have partnered with the National Grid Foundation for the 'Hoops for the Stars' program for the third year in a row”, said Syracuse Director of Athletics
Dr. Daryl Gross. “The program has been a great success, and it shows how Syracuse University Athletics and our community can continue to work together to enrich the educational experience for the youth. We thank the National Grid Foundation for making this all possible.”
Through the National Grid Foundation's commitment of $20,000, Syracuse University Athletics is providing 3,750 tickets to over 1,500 student achievers from the Syracuse City School District's eight middle schools and a parent or guardian with tickets to select Orange men's home basketball games, including the contest on February 27 against Villanova.
"We are proud to once again partner with Syracuse University in delivering a program that demonstrates our commitment to education and to the communities we serve,” said Susan Crossett of the National Grid Foundation Board of Directors.
“Hoops for the Stars has given hundreds of kids an amazing opportunity,” said Syracuse Superintendent Daniel G. Lowengard. “It has not only given students an opportunity to see a top-ranked college basketball team, but with this incentive from National Grid Foundation the students are working hard in school to do their best.”
January 22 is also “Say Yes Day” at the Dome. Say Yes To Education is a national, non-profit education foundation committed to dramatically increasing high school and college graduation rates for the nation's inner-city youth. The Syracuse Chapter features a cooperative collaboration between Syracuse University, Say Yes to Education and the Syracuse City School District.
“In order to attend college through the Say Yes Promise, our children need to set high expectations for themselves and commit to academic excellence,” said Rachel Gazdick, executive director for Say Yes to Education. “Hoops for the Stars provides an incentive for students to reach their full academic potential.”
