Past Recipients

The Tug McGraw Foundation awarded its first collegiate scholarships on April 15, 2005 as nineteen ambitious and qualified college students were the first to be awarded scholarships through the “Diamond 45”/UbiquiTel Regional Scholarship Program.

The Foundation made these awards to students from across the country that exemplified Tug’s “Ya Gotta Believe” spirit and showed promise to become leaders. The scholarships were awarded through a competitive application process that evaluated applicants on their academic accomplishments, community involvement, and leadership ability.

Applicants also submitted essays describing how McGraw’s philosophy of “Ya Gotta Believe” had impacted their lives and how the spirit of those words had played a role in some pivotal moment or significant personal situation.

A formal presentation ceremony for the awardees was held at Citizens Bank Ballpark in Philadelphia as part of the Foundation’s meeting of the Board of Directors. Jim Thome, at that time a member of the Philadelphia Phillies and a current member of the Board of Directors, made the presentation along with Donald A. Harris, chairman and CEO of Ubiquitel, Inc.

The 2005 Recipients

Christopher Troy Bennett of Louisville, KY: Centre College
Kerri Louis Brugger of Oakland, NJ: Susquehanna University
Heather E. Chantiles of Harrisburg, PA: Shippensburg University
Courtney Conron of Slippery Rock, PA: Slippery Rock University
Joanna Fergus of Youngstown, OH: Gannon University
Kristen B. Haynes of Fairfax, CA: Villanova University
Meredith Hippert of Northampton, PA: Albright College
Brittany Malarkey of York, PA: York College
Kristina McCreesh of Philadelphia, PA: Albright College
Tahnea Murphy of Pocatello, ID: Idaho University
Jennifer A. Murray of Philadelphia, PA: DeSales University
Anthony Michael Pangallo of Danville, KY: Centre College
Andraya Nicole Robertson of Spokane, WA: Whitworth College
Heather Rulli of Connellsville, PA: Slippery Rock University
Corey Smock of Guys Mills, PA: University of Pittsburgh
David John Stapleton of Williamsville, NY: Slippery Rock University
Megan Trimble of Coatesville, PA: University of the Sciences Philadelphia
Nathaniel Richard Williams of Spokane, WA: Gonzaga University