St. John's University Athletics
St. John's And National Grid Foundation Team Up In
2/17/2011 12:00:00 AM | General
QUEENS, N.Y. - By the end of the 2010-11 season, more than 1,230 middle school students and their guardians will have attended St. John's men's basketball games as part of the National Grid Foundation's "Hoops for the Stars" program. The program uses positive reinforcement and recognition of success through awards tied to academic performance. St. John's and fellow BIG EAST schools Syracuse University and Providence College have partnered with the Hoops for the Stars program for the past three seasons.
St. John's University and the National Grid Foundation have recognized 20 outstanding middle school students during halftime presentations at two previous men's games at Madison Square Garden - Jan. 12 vs. Syracuse and Jan. 30, vs. Duke - and will again recognize 20 students this Saturday, Feb. 19 as the Red Storm hosts Pitt.
"We are excited once again to be involved in this outstanding, grass roots program. Supporting efforts to promote academic excellence among our city's young students is very much a part of our University's Vincentian mission," said Chris Monasch, St. John's Director of Athletics."
Through the National Grid Foundation commitment of $20,000, St. John's has been able to award basketball tickets to students who have made significant improvements in school. The program is designed to motivate at-risk students by placing particular emphasis on rewarding behavioral improvements - those that ultimately impact academic performance. The focus criteria includes: appreciable increase in attendance, dramatic decrease in negative behavior and significant contribution to the community - all of which have been proven to encourage academic progress.
"We are proud to once again partner with St. John's in delivering a program that demonstrates our commitment to education and to the communities we serve," said National Grid Foundation President, Robert G. Keller.
About National Grid Foundation
The National Grid Foundation was created to enhance the quality of life in areas where National Grid provides services. The Foundation's ongoing challenge is to create opportunities for solutions to educational and environmental issues. Its objective is based on the principle that giving people the tools to build hope is an essential ingredient in the development of individuals, families and communities. Since its inception in December of 1998, the Foundation has provided more than $15 million in grants to hundreds of organizations.