This month is the 20th anniversary of the last official Subway World Series between two New York teams. To mark the occasion, the two managers and players from the Yankees and Mets will gather virtually to help fund a scholarship at Sacred Heart University by the Jackie Robinson Foundation.
Former Mets Manager Bobby Valentine is now the executive director of athletics at Sacred Heart University. He asked former Yankees manager Joe Torre to join him to remember the 2000 World Series. Torre was all in.
“Joe Torre along with the Mets and Yankees have embraced this,” Valentine said. “Joe Torre has been part of growing the Jackie Robinson Foundation in the past and at 80 years old now, Joe still looks great.”
Valentine said he wanted to make a difference by collaborating with the Jackie Robinson Foundation to provide more opportunities for students of diverse backgrounds at Sacred Heart.
“The Jackie Robinson Foundation has an entire infrastructure set up, not only to award to those who are deserving but also to measure them during their four years of college to give them the proper advice and direction that they might need to move on into the world and they stay with the students,” he said.
Bill Reidy, the vice president of university advancement at Sacred Heart, said after this summer’s protests in the wake of the George Floyd killing, Valentine pushed for a change in the focus of the fundraiser.
“That was kind of the reason for the shift and the reason we began to think about doing an event that had a different sort of impact with regard to not just scholarships but our ability to bring more diversity and vibrancy to campus,” Reedy said.
Ivo Philbert, the vice president for external relations and special projects at The Jackie Robinson Foundation, said his foundation is able to provide that help for students to get through college.
“We recognize that the dollars are important to get and pay for college, but also, what is the support that these students are getting while they’re in school? We provide all of that," Philbert said. “So, we’re talking about leveling the educational playing field. Providing the opportunities for students to get a good education.”
The connection with Sacred Heart and Jackie Robinson is an important one. Back in 1972, Robinson, who lived in Stamford received an honorary degree from the university, just five months before his passing.
Information regarding the SHU and 42 fundraiser on October 22 can be found at sacredheart.edu.
Sacred Heart is the licensee of WSHU Public Radio.