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Positive Coaching Alliance – Tampa Bay (PCA) hosted its Triple-Impact Competitor® Scholarship Awards Event on May 3 at Tropicana Field as the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-1!

05.08.2023

Triple-Impact Competitor scholarship winners and their families joined PCA staff, Board members, mentors, special guests and partners as the chapter awarded $46,000 to 23 award winners from the Class of 2023.

The night began with scholarship winners being treated to an on-field experience while Kevin Hendrick, Superintendent of Pinellas County Schools threw out the first pitch – a strike from the mound!

Following time on the field with a large check presentation, scholarship winners rejoined guests in the Left Field Terrace Suite to watch the start of the game in which the Rays won handily in what has been a thrilling start to the season. Winners spent time and took photos with Matt Silverman, President of The Tampa Bay Rays and PCA - Tampa Bay Board Chair, and Raymond the mascot.

And then the fun really began! Between innings, scholarship checks were delivered to the students. These students have shown a positive impact through sport on three levels: by making themselves, their teammates, and their sports better. Students participated in PCA-Tampa Bay’s year-long program that focuses on mentoring and networking opportunities as they transition from high school into college.

“This whole PCA process has been amazing. The support and genuine care from the PCA team has been awesome. It’s such an honor to be included with such a group of great student athletes. The TIC scholarship will obviously help financially but I think the relationships we’ve made mean just as much, or more.” - Tanner Rollyson, Plant City High School

Additional special guests included: Lanness Robinson, Hillsborough County Public Schools; Al Bennett, Pinellas County Schools; Kathryn Starkey, Pasco County Commission; and Maggie Hedley, Brooks DeBartolo.  To conclude the recognition event, PCA and scholarship winners received a ‘shout out’ on the Jumbotron during the bottom of the third inning from game announcers and film crew videoing students in the suite.

“We had an incredible group of applicants this year and these winners are an exemplary group of individuals, teammates, and young community leaders,” said Mason Brady, PCA - Tampa Bay’s Executive Director. “PCA loved hosting this event with the Rays to cap off this year’s fantastic program. Thanks to our volunteer mentors and local Board members that supported these deserving student athletes!”

Check out some of our favorite photos below and in our social media highlights!

Student-athletes graduating with the Class of 2024 can complete an interest form HERE to learn more about the application process.

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