Major Leaguers Announce Creation of Michael Weiner Scholarship for Labor Studies

Minneapolis, MN, July 15,  2014 /3BL Media/ -  Major League baseball players, through the Major League Baseball Players Trust (@MLBPlayersTrust), are creating a scholarship program to honor the life of former MLBPA Executive Director, Michael Weiner, it was formally announced today.  Titled the “Michael Weiner Scholarship for Labor Studies,” the scholarship seeks to recognize and support the efforts of individuals dedicated to improving the lives of workers.  The Players Trust will award up to five $10,000 scholarships annually as part of the scholarship program.

Weiner spent 25 years, nearly his entire professional career, with the MLBPA working in support of the Players – past, present and future. Despite being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor in August of 2012, Weiner waged an inspiring battle against his disease as he continued to work on behalf of the players right up to the time of his passing last November, at the age of 51.

The formal announcement of the scholarship’s creation was made by current MLBPA Executive Director, Tony Clark, during an appearance before the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) in Minneapolis, prior to the 2014 All-Star Game.  Clark’s meeting with the BBWAA follows the annual All-Star Game tradition of meeting with the baseball writers started by Weiner in 2010.  Weiner made one of his final public appearances during last year’s meeting of the BBWAA in New York City, prior to the 2013 All-Star Game at Citi Field.

“It seemed fitting that we would formally announce the creation of the Michael Weiner Scholarship for Labor Studies during our annual gathering with the BBWAA,” stated Clark, who, as Executive Director, also serves as a Trustee of the Players Trust, along with Association Player Representatives Curtis Granderson of the New York Mets and Jeremy Guthrie of the Kansas City Royals.  “Michael’s passion, commitment and determination on behalf of others are well known, and it is our hope that through this scholarship we will be able to encourage and inspire others to pursue careers in support of workers’ rights.”

To be eligible for an award, individuals must be Graduate or Law Students enrolled in an accredited educational institution in the United States or Canada and must have a demonstrated interest in, and wish to make a career out of, working in the labor movement and on behalf of workers’ rights.  To receive an award, eligible candidates must meet a combination of criteria identified below:

• A strong academic record
• Demonstrated commitment to the labor movement
• A strong recommendation from an academic or a labor/workers’ rights practitioner
• Strong written and oral communication skills

Preference will be given to those who can demonstrate financial need through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) scores or otherwise.

Scholarship applications are now being accepted through Monday, November 10, 2014. Each student selected as a Michael Weiner Scholarship for Labor Studies recipient will receive a $10,000 scholarship. Up to five awards will be presented annually, and the first winners will be notified in January 2015.

For more information, please visit http://playerstrust.org/programs/michael-weiner-scholarship-labor-studies/

About the Major League Baseball Players Trust
Through the Players Trust, Major Leaguers contribute their time, money and celebrity to call attention to important causes affecting the needy and to help encourage others to get involved in their own communities.  Each year the Players Trust distributes more than $1.5 million in annual grants and programs, and inspires hundreds of thousands of high school students to volunteer in their communities through the Action Team national youth volunteer program.  For additional information, please visit www.PlayersTrust.org and visit the Players Trust channel on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/MLBPlayersTrust. Follow the Trust on Twitter (@MLBPlayersTrust) and Instagram (mlbplayerstrust).

Media Contact:  Greg Bouris, Major League Baseball Players Association, 212/826-0808; gbouris@mlbpa.org