Applications open for 2014 Bandit Scholars Program
The Quad Cities River Bandits are now accepting applications for the 2014 Keith Lucier Memorial Scholarship and 2014 Bandit Scholarship. Through the Bandit Scholars Program, each scholarship is awarded annually to an area high school senior. Each scholarship pays for the winner's entire first year of tuition and includes a summer internship with the River Bandits following the winner's first year of college.
Applications for each scholarship are available at www.riverbandits.com and will be accepted until Feb. 14, 2014, at Modern Woodmen Park. The Keith Lucier Memorial Scholarship is open to all Quad Cities-area high school seniors entering the University of Iowa. The Bandit Scholarship is open to all Quad Cities-area high school seniors entering either Black Hawk College in Moline, Ill., or Western Illinois University in Moline, Ill. The scholarship winners will be announced and honored at a 2014 River Bandits home game at Modern Woodmen Park.
"The Bandits Scholars Program recognizes and supports the promising futures of talented students and young leaders in the Quad Cities, and it continues to be a wonderful way for the River Bandits to give back to a community we love," said River Bandits co-owner Dave Heller. "Giving out these scholarships is the single most enjoyable thing I do as owner of the River Bandits, and I can't wait to help make the dream of free college tuition become real for two more Quad Cities families!"
River Bandits owners Dave Heller and Bob Herrfeldt founded the Bandit Scholars Program in 2009. The Keith Lucier Memorial Scholarship is named in honor of the late Keith Lucier, who passed away in 2009. The Lucier Scholarship honors Keith's strong belief in higher education and celebrates his love for sports, learning, charitable endeavors and the Quad Cities community. Lucier graduated from Bettendorf High School and the University of Iowa. He was the River Bandits' Assistant General Manager in 2008.
The Lucier Scholarship pays for the entire year's tuition for an incoming fresshman at the University of Iowa and includes a summer internship with the River Bandits. It has been awarded annually to one Quad Cities-area high school senior since its inception. The Bandit Scholars Program expanded in 2012 with the addition of a second scholarship; the second scholarship pays for a year's tuition for an incoming freshman on the Illinois side at either Western Illinois University or Black Hawk College, and also includes a summer internship with the team.
To help fund the scholarships, the River Bandits hold promotional events, including the annual Frost Fest, set for Sunday, Dec. 15, and the Bandits Race to Home 5K. Early registration for the next Bandits Race to Home 5K on April 12, 2014, runs through Dec. 31. Fans can also send donations for the scholarship fund to Modern Woodmen Park. One hundred percent of every donation goes to fund the scholarships.
UP NEXT: Join the River Bandits for a free day of holiday fun and activities at Modern Woodmen Park, Sunday, Dec. 15, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy a chance for holiday shopping, activities and indoor fun at the ballpark. To order ticket plans - with new lower prices - for next season, call the River Bandits box office at 563-324-3000 or visit www.riverbandits.com to download the season ticket order form. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $40. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.
ABOUT THE BANDITS: Having just been named Ballpark Digest's winner of Best Ballpark Improvement in America under $1 million, the River Bandits ownership is making one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 112 feet over the playing field, is planned for this spring, along with a carousel, a new ride called a "Drop and Twist," an expanded zip line, and many other new games and attractions. In 2013, the team unveiled a new 220-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, and a number of new bounce houses. The team's major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, just saw all six of its affiliates reach the playoffs - the first time in a decade any MLB team can claim such success. The River Bandits were one of three affiliates to reach the championship round and one of two to win their league championship.