Johnny Bench Establishes Scholarship Fund at Ave Maria University

AVE MARIA, Fla – (Nov. 18, 2010) – Ave Maria University announced the establishment of the Johnny Bench Scholarship Program, which will allow students to fulfill their dream of a college education at The University. The Cincinnati Reds Hall of Famer will officially unveil the $20,000 scholarship fund during the Ave Maria University Scholarship Soirée Dec. 2 at the Country Club of Naples. The Johnny Bench Scholarship Fund will be used to provide scholarships to needy students who would not otherwise be able to attend the University. Bench has been involved in the Scholarship event for several years, and through this scholarship program, has an even stronger connection to the University. His generosity confirms that Bench’s heart is as big as his world-famous hands. “ I have been involved in providing scholarships to deserving high school and college students in Cincinnati since 1983. As I spend more time in the Naples community, it is heartwarming to be able to make the same impact through the Johnny Bench Scholarship Fund at Ave Maria University”, commented Bench. Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in January 1989 with the fourth highest percentage of total votes cast, Bench is undoubtedly the greatest catcher ever. His honors include National League Rookie of the Year (1968), National League Most Valuable Player (1970 & 1972), World Series MVP (1976), and 14-time All-Star, with 10 consecutive Gold Gloves. In 1980, Bench set an endurance record by catching 100 or more games for 13 consecutive seasons. In 1999, Major League Baseball announced that Johnny was voted “Catcher of the Century” on the All Century Team. The Scholarship Soirée, part of a two-day event, which also includes a golf tournament at Panther Run, has raised nearly $740,000 and provided scholarships to 200 students since 2003. Tickets to The Eighth Annual Scholarship Soirée are available for $150 per person or $1100 for a table of eight and can be purchased by calling Lori Cook North at 239-287-0780. Johnny Bench will be the headliner at the event, and guests will have the opportunity to bid on unique silent and live auction gifts. Ave Maria University (AMU) was founded in 1998 as Ave Maria College in Ypsilanti, Mich., to provide a liberal arts education at the undergraduate and graduate levels in the Catholic tradition. In 2002, the college relocated to a temporary campus in Naples, Fla., as it became Ave Maria University. In 2007, the university relocated to its permanent campus in Ave Maria, Fla. Founded on the principles of the apostolic document Ex Corde Ecclesiae, Ave Maria University is dedicated to the advancement of human culture, the promotion of dialogue between faith and reason, the formation of men and women in the intellectual and moral virtues of the Catholic faith, and the development of professional and pre-professional programs in response to local and societal needs. The university has attracted students from 49 states and more than 25 foreign countries. F or more information, please contact Lori Cook North at 239-287-0780. #