Spikes, NYPL team up for Scholarship Program

The State College Spikes and the New York-Penn League are proud to announce that the league's philanthropic arm, the NYPL Charitable Foundation, will once again award over $10,000 in scholarships this summer to deserving high school graduates from the league's 14 markets, including Central PA.

Now in its fifth year, the 2013 NYPL Scholarship Contest is open to any graduating senior from a public or private high school within the league's footprint. Any student who has been accepted at a two or four-year college or university, vocational school, or technical education institution is eligible. Applicants will be judged based on academic performance, volunteer and extracurricular activities, and the impact that the Spikes and Minor League Baseball have had on their lives.

The scholarship contest will consist of two stages - a local round and a divisional round. In the local stage, students will apply directly to the Spikes, with one applicant chosen to advance to the divisional round to represent State College. The Spikes' nominee will then compete against representatives from the Auburn Doubledays, Batavia Muckdogs, Jamestown Jammers, Mahoning Valley Scrappers and Williamsport Crosscutters for the Pinckney Division's $2,500 top prize. Any finalist who does not win the divisional prize will receive a $250 book award.

"The New York-Penn League Charitable Foundation and our 14 member clubs are committed to giving back to our local communities and our annual scholarship competition has become one of the anchors of our community outreach program over the past five years," said Ben J. Hayes, President of the New York-Penn League. "In addition to selecting those students who meet and exceed traditional scholarship criteria, we enjoy being able to assist those who have enjoyed many special memories with their hometown team over the years."

High school seniors interested in entering the 2013 Scholarship Contest can obtain the official application from the Spikes online at State College Spikes.com or in person at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. Interested seniors may also visit the league's official website, New York-Penn League.com.

The deadline to submit applications to the Spikes is June 28, 2013. The Spikes' representative will be selected in late July and honored at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park during a Spikes home game in August.

The New York-Penn League and its 14 member clubs created the New York-Penn League Charitable Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, in 2003. The mission of the Foundation is to provide focus and support for the collective and individual charitable and community efforts of the New York-Penn League, its Clubs, and their staff.