table of contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Students Could Earn Pay For Classy Play
York Daily Record, April 18, 2000
3
A True Sportswoman
The York Dispatch, December 4, 2000
4
Awards Handed Out in Memory of Basketball Ref
York Sunday News, April 8, 2001
5
What Happened to Sportsmanship
The York Dispatch, October 20 , 2002
6
Lets Strive for Some Civility in 2003
York Sunday News, December 29, 2003
7
Sportsmanship Provides Path to Scholarship Honors8-9
The Evening Sun, December 15, 2011
York Catholic Girls, York Suburban Boys Win Gretchen Wolf Swartz Award for Sportsmanship 10
GameTimePA.com, March 8, 2012
Scholarship Fund Puts Focus on Sportsmanship11-12
York Daily Record, December 6, 2012
Scholars Namesake Would Be Pleased
York Sunday News, May 26, 2013
13-14
Scholarship Winner Talks About Sportsmanship - Frey
The York Dispatch, May 29, 2013
15-16
Scholarship Winner Talks About Sportsmanship - Deter17-18
The York Dispatch, May 29, 2013
Swartz Fund Increases Sportsmanship Awards19
The York Dispatch, September 3, 2013
Follow Susquehannock’s Lead in Good Sportsmanship
York Daily Record, November 29, 2013
20-21
YAIAA Basketball Sportsmanship Award Winners
York Blog: The Varsity Beat, March 6, 2014
22
Susquehannock’s Fancher, Barnhart Win Swartz Scholarships
The York Dispatch, June 2, 2014
23
Banner Awards for Susquehannock’s Fancher, Barnhart and Bermudian’s Murren, Sanni
York Daily Record, June 13, 2014
24-26
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Biglerville, York County Tech athletes earn Gretchen Wolf Swartz sportsmanship scholarships 27-28
Game Time PA, June 18, 2015
Gretchen Wolf Swartz scholarships to spike to $100,000 for eight recipients
York Daily Record York Daily Record, November 8, 2015
29
Column: Steve Navaroli reviews the YAIAA 2014-15 season from A to Z
Game Time PA, June 24, 2015
30-31
HEISER: Old friend will honor Swartz’s memory on Saturday at York College
York Dispatch, January 06, 2015
32-33
Sportsmanship to pay off big time for York-Adams athletes
York Dispatch, November 16, 2015
34-35
York Tech boys, Biglerville girls honored for basketball sportsmanship
York Dispatch, February 23, 2015
36
York Tech’s Grim, Rice take home $7,500 scholarships for sportsmanship
York Dispatch, June 23, 2015
37-38
Students Could Earn Pay For Classy Play
3
A True Sportswoman
4
Awards Handed Out in Memory of Basketball Ref
5
What Happened to Sportsmanship
6
Lets Strive for Some Civility in 2003
7
http://www.eveningsun.com/localsports/ci_19556056?source=rss
Sportsmanship provides path to scholarship honors
By PAT GEBHART and GORDIE KAUFFMAN
Posted: 12/15/2011 05:10:04 PM EST
EveningSun.com
Sportsmanship provides path to scholarship honors
It has become all too easy to think of sports and to think first of the cesspool
sports seems to have become.
From Syracuse and State College, to Detroit, where Lions' defensive tackle
Ndamukong Suh actually tried to stomp on his opponent on Thanksgiving
Day, we often find ourselves wondering what happened to the games we
love.
Pat Gebhart
In truth, nothing's changed. They are as fun and fascinating as ever.
But instead of trying to find evidence of this on TV, check out our local high school gymnasiums. There you
will find high school-aged boys and girls playing their hearts out for nothing more than the love of the game
of basketball.
The Gretchen Wolf Swartz Scholarship Fund honors that love and the way it is most
admirably expressed through timeless values such as sportsmanship, honesty, integrity,
cooperation, teamwork, courage and discipline.
Gordie Kauffman
Gretchen Wolf Swartz was a basketball official from 1981-95. Following her untimely death
from leukemia in 1997, her fellow officials proposed a memorial fund to promote and honor
the sportsmanship she herself so effectively displayed.
In 2000, the Gretchen Wolf Swartz Scholarship Fund, Inc., gained 501(c)(3) acceptance and, following a
fund-raising campaign, awarded the first scholarships in 2001. Nearly $50,000 in scholarship money has
been awarded.
Each year, the York Chapter of PIAA Basketball Officials serves as the fund's eyes and ears.
Over the next few months, those officials will be assessing the sportsmanship displayed by area boys' and
girls' basketball teams - from ninth grade through varsity - and their fans. At the end of the season, the
officials will vote to determine the boys' and girls' programs that best exemplify the values this program is
meant to reward.
Two traveling trophies will be awarded in recognition of the winning schools' good sportsmanship. In
addition, one senior participant (including players, cheerleaders, managers) from each winning program
will receive a $3,500 post-secondary school scholarship.
Sadly, this year there will be one less vote cast. Donnie Swartz - himself a longtime basketball official - was
Gretchen's husband. And he was chairman of the Gretchen Wolf Scholarship Fund Board when he passed
away on March 31.
Donnie's passing, like that of Gretchen before him, reminds us that what really matters isn't the outcome of
the game so much as the playing of it. It's the effort we bring to it and the lessons we take from it. It's the
friendships we form and the lasting bonds we carry with us long after the ball stops bouncing.
Sportsmanship Provides Path to Scholarship Honors
8
Two traveling trophies will be awarded in recognition of the winning schools' good sportsmanship. In
addition, one senior participant (including players, cheerleaders, managers) from each winning program
will receive a $3,500 post-secondary school scholarship.
Sadly, this year there will be one less vote cast. Donnie Swartz - himself a longtime basketball official - was
Gretchen's husband. And he was chairman of the Gretchen Wolf Scholarship Fund Board when he passed
away on March 31.
Donnie's passing, like that of Gretchen before him, reminds us that what really matters isn't the outcome of
the game so much as the playing of it. It's the effort we bring to it and the lessons we take from it. It's the
friendships we form and the lasting bonds we carry with us long after the ball stops bouncing.
http://www.eveningsun.com/localsports/ci_19556056?source=rss
Page 1 of 2
Nov 17, 2014 08:15:39PM MST
So this year, do your team - and your seniors - a favor. Whether you're a player, coach, parent or fan, don't
let frustration get the best of you. Choose the path of sportsmanship, the path of honor and be a model for
others. Your actions may be worth a $3,500 scholarship to someone for whom you're cheering.
While the intention of this article is to increase awareness about the fund and its mission, we'd be delighted
to receive your tax-deductible gift in memory of Donnie and Gretchen and the high ideals they shared.
Send your check, made out to Gretchen Wolf Scholarship Fund, to Secretary/Treasurer Tom Ryan, 2700
Danielle Drive, Dover, Pa., 17315.
Pat Gebhart, a McSherrystown resident, is president of the York Chapter of PIAA Basketball Officials.
Gordie Kauffman is vice president.
Sportsmanship Provides Path to Scholarship Honors (cont)
9
http://www.gametimepa.com/ci_20132361/york-catholic-girls-york-suburban-boys-win-gretchen?source=rss#
York Catholic girls, York Suburban boys win Gretchen Wolf Swartz
Award for Sportsmanship
Daily Record/Sunday News York Daily Record/Sunday News
Posted:Thu Mar 08 16:25:45 MST 2012
GameTimePA.com
The York Catholic girls' and York Suburban boys' basketball programs have been awarded the Gretchen
Wolf Swartz Sportsmanship Award by the York Chapter of the PIAA Basketball Officials.
In May, members of the Gretchen Wolf Swartz Scholarship Fund's Board of Directors will award two
$3,500 scholarships -- one to a senior from each of the winning programs.
York Suburban Athletic Director Rich Petersen said in an email York Suburban is honored to receive the
award.
"It is a testament to Coach Triggs, his staff, and his players. In addition, we are very proud of our student
body who have enthusiastically supported our teams and who have embraced the ideals of good
sportsmanship."
"We are very proud and humbled that we have been recognized with the Sportsmanship Award for the
2011-12 girls' basketball season," Rick Luckman, York Catholic athletic director, said in an email. "We are
proud of our young ladies for their accomplishments on the court, but even more proud of the way they
conduct themselves off the court."
Gretchen Wolf Swartz was a York County basketball official from 1981 to 1995. After her untimely death
from leukemia in 1997, her fellow officials created the memorial team awards and a scholarship fund to
promote and honor the very same sportsmanship she so effectively displayed.
At the conclusion of each season, York area basketball officials vote to recognize a boys' and girls'
program after observing the season-long conduct of YAIAA players, fans, faculty, students, managers,
coaches and cheerleaders from junior high to varsity.
The first scholarships were awarded in 2001. Nearly $50,000 in scholarship money has since been
awarded.
York Catholic Girls, York Suburban Boys Win Gretchen Wolf Swartz Award for Sportsmanship
10
http://www.ydr.com/ci_16791700?IADID=Search-www.ydr.com-www.ydr.com
Scholarship Fund puts focus on sportsmanship
DONNIE SWARTZ
Updated: 12/06/2010 07:17:11 PM EST
ydr.com
Scholarship Fund puts focus on sportsmanship
On June 2 of this year, Detroit's Armando Galarraga found himself one out away from completing the 21st
perfect game in Major League Baseball history.
Facing light-hitting Cleveland shortstop Jason Donald, Galarraga coaxed a ground ball to first baseman
Miguel Cabrera, who ranged far to his right, gloved the ball, and threw to Galarraga covering first base.
The throw beat the runner by a fraction of a step. Players and fans began to celebrate this night of
perfection -- a rare achievement in professional sports.
Incredibly, first base umpire Jim Joyce called Donald safe.
Players reacted in stunned disbelief. Tiger fans booed. Galarraga stood transfixed, the hint of a smile
belying his shock and disappointment at being denied his rightful place in history.
Even more incredibly, this potentially incendiary moment quickly became a shining example of
extraordinary sportsmanship. Everyone went back to work. Galarraga got that final out; Joyce, upon seeing
the replay, apologized profusely; and Galarraga accepted it with uncommon grace.
Why do we re-tell this tale? Because the Gretchen Wolf Swartz Scholarship Fund places the highest value
on sportsmanship.
Gretchen Wolf Swartz was a basketball official from 1981 to 1995. Following her untimely death from
leukemia in 1997, her fellow basketball officials discussed a memorial fund to promote and honor the very
same sportsmanship she so effectively displayed.
In 2000, the Gretchen Wolf Swartz Scholarship Fund, Inc.
gained 501(c)(3) acceptance and, following a fundraising campaign, awarded the first scholarships in
2001. More than $40,000 in scholarship money has since been awarded.
Friday's start of the high school basketball season means the York Chapter of PIAA Basketball Officials
will again assume its role as the fund's eyes and ears.
Over the course of the next few months, in addition to keeping order on the court, the officials will be
assessing area boys' and girls' basketball programs and fans for their quality of sportsmanship. At the end
of the season, their votes will determine which two programs best exemplify the values of honesty, integrity,
cooperation, courage, teamwork and discipline. Two traveling trophies will be awarded in recognition of the
winning schools' good sportsmanship.
In addition, the award will qualify senior participants (players, cheerleaders, managers) in the winning
programs to apply for one of two $3,000 post-secondary school scholarships.
As the season unfolds, let us consider our behavior as players, coaches and fans. When tipping point
moments occur, let us remember that we can either respond as sportsmen and sportswomen, or we can
yield
to the
and
of the moment. Let us also remember that choosing the second option
Scholarship
Fund
Putsanger
Focus
onfrustration
Sportsmanship
11
Over the course of the next few months, in addition to keeping order on the court, the officials will be
assessing area boys' and girls' basketball programs and fans for their quality of sportsmanship. At the end
of the season, their votes will determine which two programs best exemplify the values of honesty, integrity,
cooperation, courage, teamwork and discipline. Two traveling trophies will be awarded in recognition of the
winning schools' good sportsmanship.
In addition, the award will qualify senior participants (players, cheerleaders, managers) in the winning
programs to apply for one of two $3,000 post-secondary school scholarships.
As the season unfolds, let us consider our behavior as players, coaches and fans. When tipping point
moments occur, let us remember that we can either respond as sportsmen and sportswomen, or we can
http://www.ydr.com/ci_16791700?IADID=Search-www.ydr.com-www.ydr.com
yield to the anger and frustration of the moment. Let us also remember that choosing the second option
may cost a senior in your favorite program a $3,000 scholarship.
may
a senior in your favorite program a $3,000 scholarship.
Page
1 ofcost
2
Nov 17, 2014 08:14:08PM MST
Be like Mr. Galarraga, who chose the high road and, in so doing, now serves as a role model for all of us.
The intention of this article is to increase awareness about the fund and its mission: To promote
sportsmanship. However, if you are inclined to support the mission and scholarships, we would be
delighted to receive your tax-deductible gift. Send your check, made out to Gretchen Wolf Scholarship
Fund, to, Sec/Treas Tom Ryan, 2700 Danielle Drive, Dover, 17315.
Donnie Swartz is chairman of the board of the Gretchen Wolf Swartz Scholarship Fund.
Scholarship Fund Puts Focus on Sportsmanship (cont)
12
Continued on next page
Scholars Namesake Would Be Pleased
13
Scholars Namesake Would Be Pleased (cont)
14
Scholarship Winner Talks About Sportsmanship - Frey
15
Scholarship Winner Talks About Sportsmanship - Frey (cont)
16
Scholarship Winner Talks About Sportsmanship - Deter
17
Scholarship Winner Talks About Sportsmanship - Deter (cont)
18
http://www.yorkdispatch.com/ci_24006547/
Swartz Fund increases sportsmanship awards
STAFF REPORT
Updated: 09/03/2013 05:02:58 PM EDT
YorkDispatch.com
The reward for superior sportsmanship on and around the basketball floor continues to grow.
Beginning in the spring of 2014, the Gretchen Wolf Swartz Scholarship Fund will award four scholarships
totaling $20,000 -- two $7,500 scholarships and two $2,500 scholarships.
Each spring, the Gretchen Wolf Swartz Sportsmanship Award recognizes both a York area boys' and girls'
basketball program for displaying the highest levels of sportsmanship, as determined by a vote of the York
Chapter of PIAA Basketball Officials. Member officials cast their votes after observing the behavior of fans,
faculty, students, players and coaches from the junior high to varsity levels of basketball, throughout the
season.
Then in May, the Gretchen Wolf Swartz Scholarship Fund's board of directors awards scholarships. In past
years, one scholarship was awarded to a member of each honored team. However beginning in 2014, the
board will award two $7,500 scholarships -- one from each winning program -- and a $2,500 scholarship to
the runners-up from each program. Applicants must be seniors and can be players, team managers or
cheerleaders.
Gretchen Wolf Swartz was a York County basketball official from 1981 until 1995. Following her death from
leukemia in 1997, her fellow officials created the memorial team awards and scholarship fund to promote
and honor sportsmanship.
This marks the second consecutive year in which the scholarship amount has been increased. In 2013,
Susquehannock's boys and girls were both honored and its two winners -- Tim Frey on the boys' side and
Leah Deter on the girls' side -- each received a $5,000 scholarship. Those awards reflected a significant
increase over 2012's two $3,500 scholarships, which went to York Catholic's Karli McFatridge and York
Suburban's Dylan Keller.
This year's scholarship increase was made possible by the success of the first Donnie Swartz Memorial
Basketball Classic, held in January of 2013, which raised more than $18,000 for the Gretchen Wolf Swartz
Scholarship Fund.
Plans are being finalized for the second annual Donnie Swartz Classic, which will be held Saturday, Jan.
11, at York College of Pennsylvania.
The first scholarships -- both in the amount of $1,000 -- were awarded in 2001. More than $50,000 in
scholarship money has since been awarded.
For more information, visit gwsfund.org.
Swartz Fund Increases Sportsmanship Awards
19
http://www.ydr.com/sports/ci_24626646/column-follow-susquehannocks-lead-good-sportsmanship
Column: Follow Susquehannock's lead in good sportsmanship
By Allan Pettit
Updated: 11/29/2013 08:32:31 PM EST
ydr.com
This isn't exactly the Golden Age of Sportsmanship, unless you're from the Wyle E. Coyote Skool of Gud
Sportz.
• In December 2012, Bloomington South High School defeated Arlington High School, 107-2, in a girls'
basketball game. Afterward, the winning coach told the Indianapolis Star, "I didn't tell my girls to stop
shooting because that would have been more embarrassing."
• In February, a PIAA wrestling official with 22 years of experience ejected a too-boisterous fan from the
Liberty High School gym during the District 11 wrestling tournament. That fan? Bethlehem Mayor John
Callahan.
• In September, a Hamburg High School player made national headlines by grabbing an opponent's
helmet, then using it to twice bash the opponent on the head before other players intervened. A police
investigation ensued, and charges of simple assault and disorderly conduct were filed Nov. 20.
• Then in October, post-game handshakes were barred from Kentucky high school sports by order of the
state's governing body after the time-honored ritual led to more than two dozen physical altercations in
three years.
There was a time, though, when one's conduct was more important than the outcome of the game.
Fortunately, there are communities and schools, coaches and athletes, parents and fans who still believe
this to be true. Witness the Southern School District.
In February, Susquehannock's boys' and girls' programs both received the Gretchen Wolf Swartz
Sportsmanship Award, given each year to the YAIAA boys' and girls' basketball programs that display the
highest levels of sportsmanship as determined by a vote of the York Chapter of PIAA Basketball Officials.
Only once before in the award's 13-year history had the same school won both awards in a season -Susquehannock in 2003.
This was Susquehannock's girls' sixth sportsmanship award, giving the Warriors more than any other
school's boys' and girls' programs combined. With four boys' sportsmanship awards, Susquehannock has
been honored by area basketball officials 10 times - five more than Bermudian Springs, the second-most
honored team.
In past years, after the winning teams were announced, the Gretchen Wolf Swartz Scholarship Fund's
board of directors awarded a scholarship to a senior member (player, cheerleader or manager) of each
honored program. In May, Susquehannock's Tim Frey and Leah Deter each received a $5,000
scholarship. These scholarships reflected a significant increase over 2012's $3,500 awards, which went to
York Catholic's Karli McFatridge and York Suburban's Dylan Keller.
In addition to sportsmanship, the individual scholarships recognize character, scholarship, leadership and
integrity. And beginning in 2014, the board will enhance that recognition with scholarships of $7,500 and
$2,500 to each winning program.
Why an award for sportsmanship? Gretchen Wolf Swartz was a York County basketball official from 1981
to 1995. Following her untimely death from leukemia in 1997, her fellow officials created the memorial team
awards and scholarship fund to honor and promote the high ideals she so effectively displayed.
Follow Susquehannock’s Lead in Good Sportsmanship
Page 1 of 2
Nov 17, 2014 08:17:01PM MST
20
board of directors awarded a scholarship to a senior member (player, cheerleader or manager) of each
honored program. In May, Susquehannock's Tim Frey and Leah Deter each received a $5,000
scholarship. These scholarships reflected a significant increase over 2012's $3,500 awards, which went to
York Catholic's Karli McFatridge and York Suburban's Dylan Keller.
In addition to sportsmanship, the individual scholarships recognize character, scholarship, leadership and
integrity. And beginning in 2014, the board will enhance that recognition with scholarships of $7,500 and
$2,500 to each winning program.
Why an award for sportsmanship? Gretchen Wolf Swartz was a York County basketball official from 1981
to 1995. Following her untimely death from leukemia in 1997, her fellow officials created the memorial team
http://www.ydr.com/sports/ci_24626646/column-follow-susquehannocks-lead-good-sportsmanship
and promote
promote the
the high
high ideals
ideals she
she so
so effectively
effectively displayed.
displayed.
awards and scholarship fund to honor and
Page 1 of 2
Nov 17, 2014 08:17:01PM MST
And why the dramatic increase in scholarship size and number? The first Donnie Swartz Memorial
Basketball Classic, held in memory of Gretchen's husband -- himself a basketball official -- raised more
than $18,000 for the fund in January. The second annual Donnie Swartz Classic is scheduled for Jan. 11 at
York College and will feature the Trinity and Red Lion girls in the opener and the York Catholic and William
Penn boys in the nightcap.
Join us, won't you? Take in some quality high school basketball while supporting the timeless values
represented by Gretchen Wolf Swartz and the awards and scholarships that bear her name.
Allan Pettit is a board member of the Gretchen Wolf Swartz Scholarship Fund.
Follow Susquehannock’s Lead in Good Sportsmanship (cont)
21
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YAIAA Basketball sportsmanship award winners
Posted on March 6, 2014 by Steve Navaroli
The York chapter of PIAA basketball officials voted to recognize the Susquehannock girls and Bermudian
Springs boys basketball programs, as the 2013-14 Gretchen Wolf Swartz Sportsmanship Award winners.
The award, presented annually since 2001, is in recognition of season-long conduct of players, coaches, fans,
faculty, coaches, students, managers and cheerleaders from junior high through the varsity level.
It is the second straight season and seventh time in the awards’ 14-year history that Susquehannock earned the
award in girls, and the sixth time the acknowledgement went to the Bermudian boys.
Gretchen Wolf Swartz was a York County basketball official from 1981 to 1995. Following her untimely death
from leukemia in 1997, her fellow officials created the memorial team awards and a scholarship fund to promote
and honor the sportsmanship she so effectively displayed.
In May, the Gretchen Wolf Swartz Scholarship Fund’s board of directors will award two $7,500 scholarships –
one to a senior from each winning program – and two new $2,500 scholarships – to the senior runner-up from
each program. Applicants can be players, team managers or cheerleaders, but they must be seniors.
Susquehannock’s Leah Deter and boys’ player Tim Frey earned the scholarships last season.
About Steve Navaroli
Prep sports writer at the York Daily Record/Sunday News.
View all posts by Steve Navaroli →
This entry was posted in Boys' basketball, Girls' basketball, YAIAA league news and tagged Bermudian Springs, Gretchen Wolf Swartz Scholarship, Susquehannock, YAIAA.
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YAIAA Basketball Sportsmanship Award Winners
Page 1 of 2
22
http://www.yorkdispatch.com/localsports/ci_25882557/susquehannocks-fancher-barnhart-win-swartz-scholarships
Susquehannock's Fancher, Barnhart win Swartz scholarships
STAFF REPORT
Updated: 06/02/2014 03:57:18 PM EDT
YorkDispatch.com
The girls' winners of the Gretchen Wolf Swartz Scholarship Awards were
announced recently at the Susquehannock High School Senior Awards
Banquet.
The winner of the $7,500 scholarship was Makenzie Fancher, while Abbey
Barnhart received the $2,500 scholarship.
Fancher
At the conclusion of this year's basketball season, the Susquehannock girls'
and the Bermudian Springs boys' basketball programs were awarded the
Gretchen Wolf Swartz Sportsmanship Awards in a vote of the York Chapter
of the PIAA Basketball Officials.
This is the first year the members of the Gretchen Wolf Swartz Scholarship Fund's Board of Directors
awarded two $7,500 scholarships – to a senior from each winning program – and two new $2,500
scholarships – to another deserving senior from each program. Applicants could be players, team
managers or cheerleaders, but they had to be seniors.
The two Bermudian Springs scholarship winners were Neil Murren ($7,500)
and Zachary D. Sanni ($2,500). Their awards were announced previously.
Fancher plans to attend Christopher Newport, where she also expects to
participate in the basketball program, while Barnhart, the valedictorian of her
class, will attend Lebanon Valley College, where she hopes to play
volleyball.
Barnhart
Fancher lettered in basketball for four years and was captain for three years.
She also lettered in track and field for three years.
Barnhart was a captain on both the basketball and volleyball teams.
Both Fancher and Barnhart are members of the National Honor Society and are involved in numerous
community activities.
Susquehannock’s Fancher, Barnhart Win Swartz Scholarships
23
Banner awards for Susquehannock's Fancher, Barnhart and Bermudian's Murren, Sanni - The York Daily Record
11/16/14 3:28 PM
Banner awards for Susquehannock's Fancher,
Barnhart and Bermudian's Murren, Sanni
Susquehannock's Makenzie Fancher, Abbey Barnhart and Bermudian Springs' Neil Murren, Zach Sanni
Susquehannock's Abbey Barnhart (17) greets her teammates
receive
scholarships
after the Warriors
lost their District 3-AAA girls' volleyball
Banner awards for Susquehannock's Fancher, Barnhart and Bermudian's Murren, Sanni - The York Daily Record
11/16/14 3:28 PM
semifinal to the Cumberland Valley Eagles on Thursday,
By
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Oct.Matt
31, 2013,
at Dallastown. Cumberland Valley defeated
Susquehannock 3-1 (25-17, 17-25, 28-16, 25-17) to advance
UPDATED:
06/13/2014
PM EDT
to the district
final. (File10:21:56
— GameTimePA.com)
Banner
awards
for
Susquehannock's
Two banners inside
the gymnasium
of Susquehannock
High School will bear theFancher,
names of girls
from this year's basketball team.
Barnhart
and Bermudian's Murren, Sanni
Two — Shannon Druck and Katie Wagner — will soon be added for scoring 1,000 career points.
Two others will be
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Swartz
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Susquehannock's
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Fancher,
AbbeyWolf
Barnhart
andScholarship
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"I knowscholarships
I'm going to sound selfish, but I wanted to get on that list," said Abbey Barnhart, who
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"I think it's
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cool to
UPDATED:
06/13/2014
PM be
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there. We can leave our mark there."
file:///Users/WinterJr/Desktop/GWF%20PDFs/2%20awards%20for%20Susq…20Murren,%20Sanni%20-%20The%20York%20Daily%20R%20copy.webarchive
Page 1 of 4
Susquehannock's Abbey Barnhart (17) greets her teammates
after the Warriors lost their District 3-AAA girls' volleyball
semifinal to the Cumberland Valley Eagles on Thursday,
Oct. 31, 2013, at Dallastown. Cumberland Valley defeated
Susquehannock 3-1 (25-17, 17-25, 28-16, 25-17) to advance
to the district final. (File — GameTimePA.com)
Two banners inside the gymnasium of Susquehannock High School will bear the names of girls
from this year's basketball team.
Two — Shannon Druck and Katie Wagner — will soon be added for scoring 1,000 career points.
Two others will be on a list of Gretchen Wolf Swartz Scholarship winners.
Susquehannock's Abbey Barnhart (17) greets her teammates
"I know
I'm going
toDistrict
sound
selfish,
but I wanted to get on that list," said
after
the Warriors
lost their
3-AAA
girls' volleyball
semifinal
to
the
Cumberland
Valley
Eagles
on
Thursday,
joined Makenzie Fancher among this year's scholarship winners.
Oct. 31, 2013, at Dallastown. Cumberland Valley defeated
Susquehannock 3-1 (25-17, 17-25, 28-16, 25-17) to advance
"Ithe
think
it'sfinal.
pretty
cool
to be on there. We can leave our mark there."
to
district
(File —
GameTimePA.com)
Abbey Barnhart, who
Two banners inside the gymnasium of Susquehannock High School will bear the names of girls
file:///Users/WinterJr/Desktop/GWF%20PDFs/2%20awards%20for%20Susq…20Murren,%20Sanni%20-%20The%20York%20Daily%20R%20copy.webarchive
Banner
for Susquehannock’s
Fancher, Barnhart and Bermudian’s Murren, Sanni
fromAwards
this year's
basketball team.
24
Page 1 of 4
Banner awards for Susquehannock's Fancher, Barnhart and Bermudian's Murren, Sanni - The York Daily Record
11/16/14 3:28 PM
The yearly Gretchen Wolf Swartz Sportsmanship Award honors one boys' basketball program and
Banner awards
for Susquehannock's
and Bermudian's
- The York Daily
a girls'
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the YAIAA.
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expanded
thisRecord
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since 2001.
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to Neil
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— GameTimePA.com)
Bermudian Springs won its first basketball championship by taking the YAIAA Division III
"Wechampionship.
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to Neil Murren and Zach Sanni.
Banner awards for Susquehannock's Fancher, Barnhart and Bermudian's Murren, Sann
The Eagles echoed the style of their coach, Tom Flaherty, who remained cool and calm courtside
while directing his team to a 22-5 record and state tournament
appearance.
Murren
was their leading scorer and wound up receiv
Gretchen Wolf Scholarship Fund. He will use it towar
file:///Users/WinterJr/Desktop/GWF%20PDFs/2%20awards%20for%20Susq…20Murren,%20Sanni%20-%20The%20York%20Daily%20R%20copy.webarchive
2 of 4
Messiah College after serving this summerPage
with
a mis
$2,500 increase from last year. Sanni received a $2,50
year.
Sanni will attend Bridgewater College in Virginia and
Murren and Fancher would have received the scholar
Bermudian Springs' Neil Murren heads to the hoop
as York Suburban's Aaron Briggs pursues during
a boys' basketball game at York Suburban High
School Friday, January 24, 2014. Bermudian Springs
won,Bermudian
75-57. (FileSprings'
— GameTimePA.com)
Neil Murren heads to the hoop
as York Suburban's Aaron Briggs pursues during
basketball
game
at York Suburban
High not
"Wea boys'
didn't
have the
biggest
team, maybe
Friday, January 24, 2014. Bermudian Springs
waySchool
we
did,
it
got
us
through
a
lot."
won, 75-57. (File — GameTimePA.com)
the fastest,"
Susquehannock's Makenzie Fancher drives against
Northeastern's Shay Mathison in the first half of a girls'
basketball
game
at Susquehannock
Sanni
said,
"but
us working Friday,
together the
Jan. 24, 2014. Susquehannock won, 59-49.
(File — GameTimePA.com)
The"We
Eagles
echoed
the
of their
Tom
who
remained
cool
and
calm
courtside
Banner
Awards
for have
Susquehannock’s
Fancher,
Barnhart
and
Murren,
Sanni
(cont)
25 va
didn't
thestyle
biggest
team,coach,
maybe
notFlaherty,
the Bermudian’s
fastest,"
Sanni
said,
"but said
us
working
together
the
"It's
huge
for me,"
Barnhart,
Susquehannock's
while directing his team to a 22-5 record and state tournament appearance.
Banner awards for Susquehannock's Fancher, Barnhart and Bermudian's Murren, Sanni - The York Daily Record
11/16/14 3:28 PM
Murren was their leading scorer and wound up receiving a $7,500 scholarship last month from the
Gretchen Wolf Scholarship Fund. He will use it toward obtaining an exercise science degree at
Messiah College after serving this summer with a mission team in El Salvador. Murren's award is a
$2,500 increase from last year. Sanni received a $2,500 scholarship, which was introduced this
year.
Susquehannock's Makenzie Fancher drives against
Northeastern's Shay Mathison in the first half of a girls'
basketball
game
at Susquehannock
Friday,
Sanni will
attend
Bridgewater
College in Virginia and major in psychology. In previous years,
Jan. 24, 2014. Susquehannock won, 59-49.
Murren
and
Fancher
would
have
received the scholarships for their respective programs.
(File — GameTimePA.com)
just
"It's huge for me," said Barnhart, Susquehannock's valedictorian, who will use her $2,500 toward
Lebanon Valley College. "Any little bit I can get helps and that was the biggest one."
"Last year there were definitely one or two girls that could have gotten it, too," she said. "We had
four or five people going for it."
Barnhart said she first thought about the chance when the Susquehannock boys' and girls'
programs swept last year's awards. She was asked during her interview with the scholarship
committee why Susquehannock consistently wins the YAIAA referees' vote for consideration.
"I think the group of girls we have, especially Makenzie, were just focused on basketball," Barnhart
said. "We're going to do it and do it clean."
Fancher added: "I think that shows how seriously our school takes sportsmanship."
11/16/14 3:28 PM
They credited coach Dave Schreiner for establishing a culture within the girls' program. Barnhart
remembers one time last season in which she was tempted to object to a referee's call, but
Schreiner stopped her.
Banner awards for Susquehannock's Fancher, Barnhart and Bermudian's Murren, Sanni - The York Daily Record
file:///Users/WinterJr/Desktop/GWF%20PDFs/2%20awards%20for%20Susq…20Murren,%20Sanni%20-%20The%20York%20Daily%20R%20copy.webarchive
"I usually don't go too crazy," she said, "but he said, 'It doesn't matter, calm down.'"
Page 3 of 4
The coach's words stayed with her to Susquehannock's awards banquet, when scholarship board
president Coni Wolf announced this year's winners. Fancher and Barnhart held out hope it would
be them.
Susquehannock's Makenzie Fancher drives against
The
winnersShay
were
kept ina the
secret.
Barnhart
Northeastern's
Mathison
first half
of a girls' could not pry
basketball
game
at
Susquehannock
Friday,
Chuck Abbott, who proclaimed he didn't have a clue.
Jan. 24, 2014. Susquehannock won, 59-49.
(File — GameTimePA.com)
the information from athletic director
Fancher, who will play basketball at Christopher Newport University, said the anticipation built
until
late in
awards
ceremony.Susquehannock's
She is interested valedictorian,
in sports marketing
anduse
might
major intoward
"It's huge
forthe
me,"
said Barnhart,
who will
her $2,500
business
or
public
relations.
Barnhart
intends
to
major
in
actuarial
science
at
LVC.
Lebanon Valley College. "Any little bit I can get helps and that was the biggest one."
The
finally
broke
when Wolf
provided
hint.could have gotten it, too," she said. "We had
"Lasttension
year there
were
definitely
one or
two girlsa that
four or five people going for it."
"She's going into a strange science," Wolf said.
Barnhart said she first thought about the chance when the Susquehannock boys' and girls'
Right then, Barnhart knew it was her.
programs swept last year's awards. She was asked during her interview with the scholarship
committee
why
Susquehannock
Contact Matt
Goul
at 771-2045. consistently wins the YAIAA referees' vote for consideration.
"I think the group of girls we have, especially Makenzie, were just focused on basketball," Barnhart
said. "We're going to do it and do it clean."
Fancher added: "I think that shows how seriously our school takes sportsmanship."
Banner
forcoach
Susquehannock’s
Fancher,
and Bermudian’s
Murren,
TheyAwards
credited
Dave Schreiner
for Barnhart
establishing
a culture within
theSanni
girls' (cont)
program. Barnhart
26
Biglerville, York County Tech athletes earn Gretchen Wolf Swartz sportsmanship
scholarships
York County Tech's Donte Grim and Keevon Rice join Biglerville's Maddie Wenk
and Rebecca Isaac as sportsmanship scholarship winners
By Steve Navaroli
[email protected]
@SteveNavaroli on Twitter
Posted: 06/18/2015 09:10:06 PM EDT
York County Tech's Donte Grim, left,
and Keevon Rice were the Spartans'
winners of the 2015 Gretchen Wolf
Swartz Scholarship Awards. Each
received a 7,500 scholarship.
(Submitted)
Regardless of whether they knew they were in the running for the
awards, a foursome of YAIAA athletes were thrilled when their names
were recently called as recipients of the 2015 Gretchen Wolf Swartz
scholarships.
The Biglerville girls' and York County Tech boys' basketball teams
were named the Wolf Swartz Sportsmanship Awards at the end of the
hoops season, and with that honor came two $7,500 scholarships per
school to be awarded to a senior player, manager or cheerleader.
Biglerville players Maddie Wenk and Rebecca Isaac knew they were
up for the scholarships when they walked into the school's auditorium
May 27 for the awards ceremony.
"(Canners girls') Coach Moore had talked to me and said we got the
sportsmanship award and that the seniors were in the running. We had
two senior cheerleaders running for it as well," Isaac said.
At York Tech's June 3 awards night, Donte Grim and Keevon Rice had
no idea what was potentially in store.
Biglerville High School winners of the 2015 Gretchen Wolf
Swartz Scholarship Awards are, front, Rebecca Isaac and
Madeline Wenk. In the back row are, from left, Gretchen Wolf
Swartz Sportsmanship Award board members Pat Gebhart
and Coni Wolf, and Biglerville Athletic Director Anthony
Graham. Submitted
27
"Through that whole process, nobody really knew. They pretty much
had us on our toes the whole time," Rice said.
Each of the four earned a $7,500 scholarship presented by the York Chapter of PIAA basketball officials in the name of Gretchen
Wolf Swartz, who was a referee from 1981­1995. Wolf Swartz died in 1997, and the officials got together to honor the her
memory.
For Isaac and Wenk, who have been friends on the court and off since age 6, hearing their names called was a special moment.
"I was more nervous for them before announcing our names than I was when I went into the interview," Wenk said. "When she
announced my name, I still wasn't able to relax. My heart was racing. ... I was so unbelievably happy that I was shaking when I
went up there. It was a great experience."
"I was overwhelmed with so many emotions, excited about graduating and getting all of these scholarships," said Isaac, who will
attend and play basketball at Messiah College.
The two embraced in the aisle before accepting their awards on the stage.
Rice said he and Grim, a friends for many years, were both surprised when their names were called.
"When they first called my name, I was truly thankful. I counted it as a blessing," Rice said. "I am just grateful that my mom, dad
and brothers were there for whole process. I give it up to my mom, she pushed me from kindergarten through 12th grade. An
average student? I couldn't be that. I had to be something more than that."
For now, Rice is done with competitive sports, choosing to concentrate on his architectural drafting studies at the Pittsburgh
Technical Institute. It's what he studied at Tech, and it's his future.
"I decided to keep going with it. Had a few offers to play basketball, but figured out in the long run that would help me more
financially and getting stable," he said.
Grim is still deciding to attend either Harrisburg Area Community College or Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology.
Wenk, a three­sport athlete with the Canners who will play softball at Pennsylvania School of Technology, found out about the
amount of both scholarships just before the start Biglerville's awards ceremony.
"When I was readying the article I thought there was one $7,500 and one $ 2,500," she said. "When I read it again I realized they
were giving out two $7,500, I got even more nervous."
28
Gretchen Wolf Swartz scholarships to spike to $100,000 for eight
recipients
By Flint McColgan York Daily Record York Daily Record/Sunday News
Posted:Sun Nov 08 17:38:05 MST 2015
GameTimePA.com
In one go, the Gretchen Wolf Swartz Scholarship Fund will nearly double the money it has awarded to student­
athletes from York and Adams counties to a level far above any other local sports scholarship.
Named after the woman who promoted sportsmanship as a high school girls' basketball referee from 1981 until
1995, the fund has awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships since 2001, all in the name of sportsmanship.
The first year awarded a total of $2,000, according to a news release, and the annual totals have steadily risen
to last year's sum of $30,000.
But in May, up to eight seniors associated with their high school basketball team will share a total of $100,000
in scholarship money.
"We're optimistic that this will grab some coaches' attention and that they will further emphasize
sportsmanship," said Steve Merrick, chairman of the fund's board of directors. "They'd be doing a disservice to
their kids if they didn't."
The $70,000 increase in funding was possible, Merrick said, because multiple people ­ who will remain
anonymous ­ "had chosen to remember us in their will."
The donations were invested, and the scholarships are funded on the returns of those investments. Merrick
said the scholarships will remain at the $100,000 level in the future as long as the investments continue to
perform.
"It gradually improved and improved and improved," YAIAA executive director Chuck Abbott said of the
scholarship. "I just think it's a tremendous gesture on behalf of the basketball chapter."
Abbott said that while the schools should already be emphasizing sportsmanship in all of their programs, the
unprecedented size of this scholarship will further underscore that aspect of high school sports.
That kind of money, he added, can take a tremendous financial burden off the shoulders of not just the
awarded students but also the parents.
At the end of each season, the York­Adams basketball officials vote for a boys' and a girls' program that
displayed great sportsmanship over the course of the year. That vote is based on the conduct of every person
associated with the teams, including the fans.
Each team wins a traveling trophy, and any of the team's players, cheerleaders or managers who have been
accepted to a post­secondary school can apply for the scholarship money at the foundation's website,
www.gwsfund.org. Up to four people from both the girls' and the boys' program will be awarded the funds,
Merrick said.
The money will be broken into four levels for both the girls' and boys' winners: The top recipient from each
program will receive $20,000, the next $15,000, then $10,000 and finally $5,000.
29
Column: Steve Navaroli reviews the
YAIAA 2014-15 season from A to Z
Steve Navaroli, GameTimePA
2:26 a.m. EDT June 24, 2015
With the school year behind us, here is an A­to­Z
look at some of the top performances by YAIAA
athletes during the 2014­15 academic year.
A: Athletes who inspire us: Marcus Josey
(Northeastern), Peter Falci (Central York) andMaddie
(Photo: File ­ GameTimePA.com)
Hill (Dover), who continue their battles against
cancer. Keep up the fight!
B: Bobcats' dominance of the boys' volleyball court, as Northeastern won its third
straight PIAA Class AA championship to go along with the program's sixth district title
in seven years.
C:Carson Gross, who won the YAIAA's only gold medal at the PIAA swimming
championships when the York Suburban junior captured the Class AA 200 freestyle, in
addition to collecting several individual, relay and team district titles.
D:Dover softball won its first YAIAA crown in 19 seasons when the Eagles took home
the honors in Division II, led by all­star shortstop Natalie Cutright.
E:Erica Sarver, the West York sophomore who not only won the District 3 Class AA
girls' diving championship, but also went on to place third in the state.
F: Frank Lenno, the Central York boys' soccer coach, who guided his team to its
second straight PIAA tournament appearance. The Panthers (21­3­1) won the YAIAA
title and finished second in districts.
G: Graduation, which took a toll on last year's YAIAA champion Spring Grove baseball
team. But the Rockets — new coach and all — made it all the way to the district Class
AAA title game.
H: Hannah Logue of Fairfield was a goal­scoring machine during the girls' soccer
season. Only a sophomore, the Green Knights standout notched 37 goals in only 20
games.
I: Improvement shown by the Red Lion girls' volleyball squad, which won nine more
games in 2014 than it did the previous season.
J: Janney, Seth, the South Western wrestler who made it to the PIAA Class AAA title
bout at 220 pounds. His silver medal came a week after he won district gold.
K: Krieger, as in Dylan, the Hanover athlete who led the YAIAA boys' basketball
league in scoring after finishing the football season as the top receiver in the area. He
brokeHanover's all­time basketball scoring record.
L: Lucas Barshinger, who not only was a standout linebacker for Eastern York's
football team but also won a gold medal at 195 pounds during the Class AA district
wrestling championships.
M: Most sportsmanlike basketball teams: Biglerville girls and York County Tech boys,
as voted by the league referees for the annual Gretchen Wolf Swartz Sportsmanship
Awards. The scholarships went to the Canners' Maddie Wenk and Rebecca Isaac, and
York Tech's Donte Grim and Keevon Rice.
N: National championship, which the New Oxford competitive spirit squad claimed after
running through the district and state competitions.
O: Opening season in the YAIAA for Gettysburg, which was quite successful in many
sports, particularly field hockey. The Warriors went unbeaten in Division II and won the
league tournament title, finishing 19­1 overall.
P: Parrini siblings of York Catholic. Joe and Lauren claimed the District 3 Class AA
boys' and girls' golf championships. Joe Parrini went on to place sixth at the PIAA,
joining teammate Nick Geiman, who was third at states.
30
Q: Quintet of YAIAA Division III football championships won by Bermudian Springs.
This season's Eagles won their first 11 games to claim their fifth overall division title
(and their fourth with sole possession of the crown).
R: Ravaughn Dillard of Gettysburg, who captured the YAIAA's only gold medal at the
PIAA track and field championships when he won the Class AAA triple jump.
S: Shelbee Holcomb, who hit an astounding .740 (57­for­77) with 10 home runs and 53
runs batted in to help lead Delone Catholic to the District 3 Class AA softball title and
the second round of the PIAA tournament.
T: Thunderbolt thrower Bre Smith, who tossed her way to a District 3 AA title in the
discus with her sling of 109 feet, 5 inches for Littlestown.
U: Usha Baublitz, the diminutive girls' tennis star, who captured the YAIAA singles
championship last fall.
V: Vaulter extraordinaire Danny Stoner of Biglerville, who won his second straight
District 3 Class AA pole vault championship and a week later earned a silver medal at
the PIAA meet.
W: Wildcat swimmers, Noah Brockway (100 backstroke) and Spencer Hill (100
butterfly), both of whom won gold at the District 3 Class AAA swimming
championshipsfor Dallastown.
X: XC, or cross county, and the PIAA Class AA championship won by the York
Suburban boys' team. The Trojans won the District 3 crown, as well, and the Delone
Catholic girls' team won the Class A district title.
Y: York Catholic's girls' basketball team, which won an unprecedented 10th straight
District 3 Class AA championship this year — the ninth under head coach Kevin
Bankos.
Z: Zero, the number of girls in the nation who scored more lacrosse goals in high
school than Kennard­Dale's Morgan Day. She set both the PIAA and national scoring
marks, capping an incredible career at 469 goals.
31
HEISER: Old friend will honor Swartz's memory on
Saturday at York College
By STEVE HEISER
505­5446/@ydsports
POSTED: 01/06/2015 06:02:46 PM EST
UPDATED: 01/09/2015 12:42:03 PM EST
Given the sad and ugly ending to the York High-Harrisburg boys' basketball game on Monday night, it seems
like a very appropriate time to talk about Donnie Swartz.
Who, you might ask, was Donnie Swartz?
Well, he was a man who — based on all evidence — had his priorities firmly in order when it came to athletics
— and life.
Sports, for Swartz, was about playing the game hard and playing the game right.
It was simple philosophy, really — one that we should all follow.
As a basketball player, Swartz, wasn't a star, but he helped to make other players better — even great.
Later, as a basketball official, he continually emphasized the importance of sportsmanship to players, coaches and fans. That
was a lesson that was desperately needed on Tuesday night, when the Bearcats and Cougars engaged in a post-game brawl.
That's a shame. If the two teams had followed Swartz's example, the hard-fought, intense battle would've ended with firm
handshakes, not flying fists.
Swartz died in 2011, but he left behind a legacy that will not soon be forgotten. His memory will be honored Saturday night
with the third annual Donnie Swartz Classic at York College.
Leaving his mark on Rinka: Swartz's college playing career was undistinguished, but he left an indelible imprint on one
of the best players in Ohio basketball history.
Swartz was a teammate with John Rinka at Kenyon College in the late 1960s. Rinka, despite being under 6 feet tall, piled up 3,251 points in his
college career and averaged 41 points per game in 1969 and 32.8 points per game for his career — the sixth-best mark in NCAA history. He
was one of the final cuts for the 1968 U.S. Olympic team.
In 2006, Rinka was inducted into the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame's inaugural class, along with Oscar Robertson, John Havlicek, Bobby
Knight and Jerry Lucas. That's some pretty fair company. It's obvious that Rinka could play a little.
But Rinka insists that he never would've reached his full potential without Swartz's help. Swartz, who was called "Munk" by his teammates,
took a year off from playing basketball at Kenyon, but returned to the team for his junior year, which was Rinka's sophomore season.
"Donnie was told by (the Kenyon) coach that he would not see much playing time, but it was his job to challenge me every day in practice to
prepare me for the attention I would receive from opponents," Rinka said. "My respect and admiration for 'Munk' comes from all those
practices I had him constantly in my face. He was a dogged defender and a ferocious competitor. He embraced our coach's expectations and in
doing so gave me the practice opposition I needed to improve."
"... I still believe that Donnie had as much to do with my own success as any single teammate could. I have a profound appreciation for what
he did to help me and for how he loved the game."
Rinka held Swartz in such high regard that in 2010 he gave Swartz his 1968 All-American certificate and inscribed it: "Donnie: Part of this is
yours. Thanks for being a great teammate and friend."
Rinka went on to coach basketball on every level except for the pros for 27 years.
"Every one of the teams I coached heard my Donnie Swartz story at least once," he said.
Common bond: After leaving Kenyon, Swartz and Rinka lost touch, but they reunited in 2008 when the two men went to Ohio for the
induction of their Kenyon coach into the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame.
Their friendship was reignited, so much so that when Rinka's wife, Stephanie, was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS), the Rinkas
stayed at Swartz's York County house while Stephanie had treatments at Johns Hopkins Medical Center in Baltimore.
Sadly, Stephanie would eventually succumb to the disease. That gave the former teammates another common bond — albeit a tragic one.
Swartz's wife, Gretchen Wolf Swartz, died of leukemia in 1997.
"I saw him as a sort of mentor in how to deal with my situation because he had lost his beloved," Rinka said.
Gretchen, like Donnie, was a high school basketball official. Soon after her death, Donnie and his fellow York County officials started the
Gretchen Wolf Swartz Sportsmanship Awards and Scholarships in 2001. More than $70,000 in scholarship money has been awarded since
then. This year alone, four $7,500 scholarships will be awarded for a whopping total of $30,000.
After Donnie's death in 2011, the Donnie Swartz Classic was started as a fund raiser for the scholarship fund. This year, Rinka will travel from
his North Carolina home to help support the event.
"I am going out of respect, appreciation and gratitude for what he did for me 40 years ago and four years ago," Rinka said. "I never met
32
Gretchen, but through Donnie I recognized the love and bond that I shared with my wife. Like veterans who share a common experience that
only those who have been there understand, Donnie and I connected. Forty years ago we shared a common experience through basketball, and
four years ago we shared that unique and difficult common experience of caring for our most beloved during life's most challenging time."
Doubleheader: Saturday, folks who would like to honor the memories of Donnie Swartz and Gretchen Wolf Swartz can catch a basketball
doubleheader at York College. In the first game at 6 p.m.,York Catholic faces Berks Catholic in a girls' game, followed by a boys' game between
Eastern York and Dallastown.
They should be two exciting games between quality teams. Hopefully, all four programs will display the determination and sportsmanship that
defined Donnie Swartz's life.
Some of the folks who participated in the York High-Harrisburg brawl would do well to attend. They could definitely learn something — about
athletics and sportsmanship and priorities.
Heck, we could all learn something.
Steve Heiser is sports editor of The York Dispatch. He can be reached at [email protected].
33
Sportsmanship to pay off big time for
York-Adams athletes
RYAN VANDERSLOOT, YorkDispatch
11:16 a.m. EST November 16, 2015
CONNECT
TWEET
LINKEDIN
EMAIL
MORE
Many high school basketball players dream that their
play on the court will someday help them earn a
college scholarship.
For the past 14 years, however, there has been an
another opportunity for every player throughout the
York­Adams League to make that dream a reality, without worrying about points,
rebounds and assists.
The Gretchen Wolf Swartz Sportsmanship Awards have been presented annually
since 2001 to the two programs — one boys and one girls — that exemplify the very
best sportsmanship throughout the season. It started back in 2001 with two $1,000
scholarships awarded to student athletes from the winning schools. The
Susquehannock girls and South Western boys won the initial awards.
Big increase: Now, 14 years after those inaugural scholarships were awarded, the
stakes have been raised — big time.
Starting with the 2015­2016 season, the Gretchen Wolf Swartz Scholarship Board
plans on increasing the amount of scholarships to an attention­grabbing $100,000. The
awards will be presented to up to four senior members of the winning programs. That
figure is more than three times greater than the $30,000 given out just last year to two
students ($7,500 each) from both the York Tech boys' program and Biglerville girls'
squad.
"We're hoping that all of the schools will pay attention to this," said Steve Merrick, the
chairman of the Gretchen Wolf Swartz Scholarship Fund. "And we're hoping that we
can also get past the notion that this is some sort of 'losers' award, if you will. It's not a
losers' award."
To accentuate that fact, just two years ago the Susquehannock girls' team and the
Bermudian Springs boys' team won the awards. That year, the Warriors shared the
Division II title with Dover, while the Eagles won the Division III title outright.
The board's ability to more than triple the number of dollars in total scholarships can be
pinned to an increase in aid, according to Merrick.
"We've had some bequests from certain folks over the years (in wills)," he said. "(The
funding) comes mostly from those bequests."
Hoping to attract lots of applicants: The plan is to award up to four seniors from
each of the two winning programs scholarships ranging from $5,000 for fourth place up
to $20,000 for the top candidate. If a program has less than four eligible seniors, or if
less than four choose to apply, the board of directors will act accordingly.
Merrick, however, is hoping that those decisions won't come as a result of eligible
athletes not applying.
"Not all seniors have applied for (the scholarship) over the years," he said. "I'm hoping
that they all will now, with the size of this thing. It certainly seems like you should."
The four­step process is not overly complicated, Merrick said.
"It's not that hard of an application process," he said. "You have to fill out an application
that isn't real lengthy. Then you have to get a couple of referrals and write up a short
essay. Finally, you have to appear before the committee for the interview process and
then we make the selections."
Merrick is hoping that the size of the awards will get all of the 23 programs throughout
the York­Adams League to place a premium on sportsmanship.
Inspiration for awards: Sportsmanship was a quality that was near and dear to the
heart of Gretchen Wolf Swartz, a York County basketball official from 1981 to 1995.
After she died in 1997 from leukemia, her peers in the local officiating community
34
athletes not applying.
"Not all seniors have applied for (the scholarship) over the years," he said. "I'm hoping
that they all will now, with the size of this thing. It certainly seems like you should."
The four­step process is not overly complicated, Merrick said.
"It's not that hard of an application process," he said. "You have to fill out an application
that isn't real lengthy. Then you have to get a couple of referrals and write up a short
essay. Finally, you have to appear before the committee for the interview process and
then we make the selections."
Merrick is hoping that the size of the awards will get all of the 23 programs throughout
the York­Adams League to place a premium on sportsmanship.
Inspiration for awards: Sportsmanship was a quality that was near and dear to the
heart of Gretchen Wolf Swartz, a York County basketball official from 1981 to 1995.
After she died in 1997 from leukemia, her peers in the local officiating community
created the team awards and scholarship fund in her memory.
"(Sportsmanship) was what Gretchen was all about," Merrick said. "And that's why the
basketball officials created the award to honor her memory. Sportsmanship was
something that she always stressed, so awarding scholarships based on that aspect
was primary there."
The winning programs are selected by the York­area basketball officials after
observing the season­long conduct of the players, fans, faculty, students, managers,
coaches, superintendents, athletic directors and cheerleaders from junior high through
varsity. The winning schools, who each receive a traveling trophy in recognition of their
accomplishments, are the ones that best display the virtues of honesty, integrity,
cooperation, courage, teamwork and discipline during the season.
— Reach Ryan Vandersloot at [email protected].
35
York Tech boys, Biglerville girls honored
for basketball sportsmanship
STAFF REPORT
POSTED: 02/23/2015 10:55:29 AM EST
UPDATED: 02/23/2015 11:01:13 AM EST
The York Tech boys' basketball program and the Biglerville girls' program
have been named winners of this year's Gretchen Wolf Swartz
Sportsmanship Awards in a vote of the York Chapter of the PIAA Basketball
Officials.
At the conclusion of each season, York area basketball officials vote to
recognize a boys' program and a girls' program after observing the seasonlong conduct of York-Adams League players, fans, faculty, students,
managers, coaches and cheerleaders from junior high through varsity. Each
winning school receives a traveling trophy in recognition of its accomplishments.
Gretchen Wolf Swartz was a York County basketball official from 1981 through 1995. Following her untimely
death from leukemia in 1997, her fellow officials created the memorial team awards and a scholarship fund
to promote and honor the sportsmanship she championed.
This marks the first time the York Tech boys have been recognized. The
Biglerville girls' program was previously honored in 2007 and 2011. The
Biglerville boys received the award in 2009.
In May, members of the Gretchen Wolf Swartz Scholarship Fund's board of
directors will award $7,500 scholarships to two seniors from each of this
year's winning programs. Applicants can be players, team managers or
cheerleaders, but they must be seniors.
This year's $30,000 in total scholarships reflects a significant increase over last year, when one member
from each winning team won a $7,500 scholarship, and another from each team won a $2,500 scholarship.
The first scholarships – both in the amount of $1,000 – were awarded in 2001. More than $50,000 in
scholarship dollars have since been awarded.
36
York Tech's Grim, Rice take home $7,500
scholarships for sportsmanship
By ELIJAH ARMOLD
505­5406/@EADispatch
POSTED: 06/23/2015 09:45:12 PM EDT
UPDATED: 06/23/2015 09:49:09 PM EDT
The annual sports awards night at York Tech
on June 3 was extra special this year for
Donte Grim and Keevon Rice.
The seniors benefited from the boys'
basketball team having won its first
Gretchen Wolf Swartz Sportsmanship
Award at the end of the season. Grim and
Rice recently won the two individual $7,500
scholarships awarded to senior members of
the program.
The Spartans' program was selected after
the basketball season in a vote of the York
Chapter of the PIAA Basketball Officials.
The Gretchen Wolf Swartz Scholarship Fund
board of directors then selected the
individual scholarship winners in May.
Although Rice went to the ceremony
knowing he had won something, the
scholarship and what it was for came as a
complete surprise.
"When we found out we got invited to the
awards, and that everyone had won
something, I thought mine would be for my
attendance," said Rice, who only missed one
day of school from kindergarten through his
high school graduation.
Grim had a slight idea that the scholarship
was a possibility, but was still surprised to
hear his name called.
York Tech winners of the 2015 Gretchen Wolf Swartz Scholarship Awards are
Donte Grim, left, and Keevon Rice. Each received a 7,500 scholarship from the
Gretchen Wolf Swartz Sportsmanship Award committee. (SUBMITTED)
"It was a nice surprise," said Grim of winning the award. "I had a little bit of an idea it might come. It really
means a lot."
37
Gretchen Wolf Swartz was a York County basketball official from 1981 through 1995. Following her
untimely death from leukemia in 1997, her fellow officials created the memorial team awards and a
scholarship fund to promote and honor the sportsmanship she championed.
Each year, at season's end, the York-Adams basketball officials vote to recognize one boys' and girls'
program. The winning program displays the highest conduct all season long on many levels, including its
players, fans, faculty, students, managers, coaches and cheerleaders, ranging from junior high through
varsity.
This was the first year the Tech boys were chosen. The Biglerville girls' program was also honored this
season. Rebecca Isaac and Maddie Wenk were also awarded $7,5000 scholarships. The Canner girls were
previously honored in 2007 and 2011. The Biglerville boys received the award in 2009.
Grim was not only delighted with winning the scholarship, but proud he could help the program win the
award as well.
"It was a real honor because me and Keevon were the first to ever get it from Tech," Grim said.
Rice echoed his teammates' sentiments.
"That was a big thing, knowing that it was our first time ever winning," Rice said. "And it was a big help to
my college funds."
Grim said he is leaning toward attending Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology to study either
mechanical engineering or machining. He is also considering playing basketball for the school.
Rice, who also played football for the Spartans, is temporarily putting aside his athletic career to focus on
architectural drafting at Pittsburgh Technical Institute. He is open to the possibility of a transfer to pursue
college basketball in a few years.
This year's $30,000 in total scholarships
reflects a significant increase over last
year, when one member from each
winning team won a $7,500 scholarship,
and another from each team won a $2,500
scholarship.
The first scholarships – both in the
amount of $1,000 – were awarded in 2001.
More than $50,000 in scholarship dollars
have since been awarded.
Biglerville High School winners of the 2015 Gretchen Wolf Swartz Scholarship
Awards are, front, from left, Rebecca Isaac and Madeline Wenk. In the back,
from left, are Gretchen Wolf Swartz Sportsmanship Award board members Pat
Gebhart and Coni Wolf, and Biglerville athletic director Anthony Graham.
(SUBMITTED)
— Reach Elijah Armold at
[email protected]
38