JACKIE ROBINSON DAY 2008

Major League Baseball to Fund 30 Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholars

MLB to Name a JRF Scholarship for Each Club

In honor of the 35th anniversary of the Jackie Robinson Foundation (JRF), Major League Baseball announced on Jackie Robinson Day that it would be making a contribution of $1.2 million to the Foundation to create a Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholar in the name of each of the 30 MLB Clubs.  

"This gift reflects not only Major League Baseball’s profound commitment to enhancing access to higher education and molding future leaders who will carry on Jackie Robinson’s ideals and values, but also is a testament to the success of our innovative program model and the fact that it is rapidly becoming a national paradigm in higher education,” said Della Britton Baeza, President and CEO.  “With this significant investment we will be able to dramatically enhance our support and outreach and even more firmly solidify our position as an institution truly national in scope.  We are enormously grateful to Major League Baseball and Commissioner Selig.”

Major League Baseball’s support is in addition to the eleven teams (New York Mets, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox, San Francisco Giants, Texas Rangers, Houston Astros, Kansas City Royals, Philadelphia Phillies and Colorado Rockies) that have pledged to sponsor a Scholar.  In addition, the Office of the Commissioner of Major League Baseball funds three JRF Scholarships and MLB President and Chief Operating Officer Bob DuPuy personally supports a JRF Scholar.

The Foundation provides four-year college scholarships, mentoring and leadership development training to academically gifted minority students who would not otherwise be able to attend college.  In addition to financial assistance, the Foundation equips its scholarship recipients with a comprehensive set of support services including mentoring, leadership development training career guidance and practical life skills, resulting in a nearly 100% graduation rate, more than twice the national average for minority students. The more than 1,200 JRF graduates are both leaders in their professional fields and consummate ambassadors of Jackie’s legacy of community service.

The gift from Major League Baseball expands a significant partnership with the Foundation that goes beyond monetary support.  MLB has been a long-time underwriter of the Scholars Annual Networking Weekend, the cornerstone of the Foundation’s Education and Leadership Development Program (ELDP), and a four-day event during which all current JRF Scholars and many Alumni gather in New York City for professional development programs, leadership seminars, cultural and recreational outings and meetings with corporate and public sector leaders.  MLB also provides internship opportunities to Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholars and its executives serve as mentors and advisors to students interested in pursuing careers in the sports business.

The partnership has helped to mold leaders in the ranks of baseball front offices.  Elaine Steward, a former JRF Scholar who graduated from St. John’s, now serves as the club counsel for the Boston Red Sox.  Recent UCLA graduate Jade Smith, whose JRF Scholarship was sponsored by the Los Angeles Dodgers, interned with MLB’s baseball operations department before accepting a front office position with the San Diego Padres. Two current JRF Scholars attending Cornell, LeVon James and Fabian McNally, recently completed MLB internships.

 “I am pleased to announce that Major League Baseball will increase its current support of the Jackie Robinson Foundations by funding a scholar in the name of each of its 30 Clubs,” said Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig. “Major League Baseball has not forgotten and will never forget the great contribution and sacrifice that Jackie made to baseball and to all of society.” >>MORE