Syracuse Mets, OCC announce scholarships for students whose education will benefit the community

ONONDAGA, N.Y. — The Syracuse Mets and Onondaga Community College (OCC) have announced the creation of two scholarships to support OCC students who plan to use their education to “benefit the community.”

One of the awards is called “The Syracuse Mets ‘The Nine’ Scholarship.”

“The Nine” is a MiLB (Minor League Baseball), Black-community focused outreach initiative specifically designed to “honor and celebrate the historic impact” numerous Black baseball pioneers made on the sport; provide new opportunities for youth baseball and softball participation; “further diversify” the business of baseball; and “embrace millions of passionate fans nationwide,” per the joint announcement.

The Nine is named after the number Jackie Robinson wore when he played with the Triple-A Montreal Royals.

The second award is called “The Syracuse Mets Copa de la Diversion Scholarship.”

“Copa de la Diversión” is a season-long event series specifically designed to “embrace the culture and values that resonate most” with Minor League Baseball teams’ local Hispanic communities.

The OCC Foundation will administer the scholarships.

“We are so grateful to the Syracuse Mets for partnering with us in this important initiative which will reward students who choose to improve their lives and their communities through higher education,” OCC President Warren Hilton said.

“Future students will benefit from our collaboration with our minor league baseball organization, which has been a summertime staple of life here for nearly 90 years.”

Who qualifies

The Mets and OCC say each recipient will be a full-time student who pledges to use their education to benefit the community. Each recipient will be from Onondaga, Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, or Oswego counties.

In addition, each scholarship will be worth $500 per semester, beginning in the spring 2024 semester which starts Jan. 29.

Current and prospective students can enroll for the spring semester by visiting the OCC website. Full-time tuition for the spring semester is $2,645.

The scholarship recipients will be recognized at future Syracuse Mets “The Nine” and “Copa de la Diversión” nights.

“The Syracuse Mets are dedicated to supporting, celebrating and engaging with all communities throughout Central New York,” Jason Smorol, general manager of the Syracuse Mets, said in the news release. “Last season we spoke with leaders within our community and asked them how we could help, and this was one of the ideas. We hope these scholarships will make a difference in the lives of the students that receive them and make education more accessible.”