Frequently Asked Questions
The PHUL Scholarship started in June of 2003 as a $100 stipend. Eligible applicants were senior PHUL players, going to a 2-4 year college. On March 15 of 2005 the leadership of PHUL decided to change the scope of the scholarship. A few months later they began an initiative to raise a $100,000 endowment funding annual scholarships totaling $4,000.
The Pittsburgh High School Ultimate League recognizes outstanding players, organizers and people by awarding The PHUL Scholarship to one student-athlete per year. Winners are selected from a pool of applicants who have participated in the spring PHUL season and meet the criteria listed below.
What is the purpose of the scholarship?
The PHUL Scholarship helps to retain young talent in the Greater Pittsburgh area as well as affording deserving individuals a lower financial barrier to higher education. The purpose of the scholarship is to keep great players, great organizers, and great people in the city, so that they can continue to drive the community forward for years to come.
How much is awarded each year?
Each recipient receives $1,000 per year for up to four years.
What are the scholarship criteria?
Each applicant is judged on:
How much money has been raised so far?
Approximately $40,000 has been raised so far, including a generous $12,000 grant from the Heinz Endowments.
Who manages the money collected for the scholarship?
The scholarship fund is managed by The Pittsburgh Foundation, a nonprofit group that manages hundreds of funds, scholarships, and trusts for groups in the Pittsburgh area. More information about The Pittsburgh Foundation can be found at www.pittsburghfoundation.org.
Who is eligible to win the scholarship?
Any graduating senior who participated in PHUL his or her senior year can win the scholarship. Criteria for selection include playing ability, organizational and leadership ability, and college selection, with a strong preference being given to students staying in the Pittsburgh area. Financial need is considered as a secondary factor.
Where can I find a scholarship application?
The application is posted each year on the Pittsburgh Ultimate online bulletin board when the application period begins. The application period usually begins around mid May.
Where can I find more information on the scholarship?
Visit the PHUL scholarship website at: http://www.darrenshultz.com/phul/scholarship/
What is the PHUL Scholarship Benefit?
The purpose of the PHUL Scholarship Benefit is to announce the establishment of an unprecedented $100,000 college scholarship fund for talented and dedicated youth ultimate players choosing to attend local colleges. The creation of the scholarship is a grassroots effort that will not only help breed and retain some of the finest ultimate players in the country here in Pittsburgh, but will also continue to encourage the interaction and support of the various members of the broader Pittsburgh Ultimate community. Most importantly, this benefit is designed to properly introduce the many parents of our local high school players to the wonder that is ultimate and the supportive, caring "family" that comes along with it.
What is the goal of the Benefit?
The goal of the benefit is to raise $10,000 for the scholarship.
I am not able to attend; can I still make a contribution?
Absolutely. Please contact David Vatz at davidvatz@gmail.com for more information.
I did not get an invitation, can I still attend?
Absolutely. Please contact David Vatz at davidvatz@gmail.com to register.
Can I choose who is at my table?
The tables at the Radisson sit ten people. We will make every attempt to seat you with your friends and teammates. Please indicate on your response card the names of the people or the name of the team you would like to be seated with.
What should I wear, is there a dress code?
We are requesting semi-formal attire for this event. Ties and jackets for the men are encouraged.
Who is Dr. William Trueheart?
Dr. William E. Trueheart was named President and Chief Executive Officer of The Pittsburgh Foundation, one of the largest community foundations in the country, in December 2001.
Before joining The Pittsburgh Foundation, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Reading Is Fundamental, Inc., America's oldest and largest children's and family literacy organization. Prior to that, he was President of Bryant University (formerly Bryant College) in Rhode Island. He also served Bryant University as Executive Vice President and member of its Board of Trustees. He was Associate Secretary of Harvard University in its Office of Governing Boards and served as Assistant Dean and Director of the Master in Public Administration Program at the John F. Kennedy School of Government. After serving Bryant University for ten years, Dr. Trueheart returned to Harvard as a Visiting Scholar.
He held several administrative posts at the University of Connecticut, including Dean of Undergraduate Academic Affairs in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Assistant to the President, and American Council on Education Fellow. He has served as a consultant to the United States National Park Service, the Ford Foundation, the Lilly Endowment, the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation, the College of the Atlantic, Lincoln University, and Arthur D. Little, Inc.
He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Independent Sector, and on the Boards of the University of Pittsburgh, the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, Pittsburgh Regional Healthcare Initiative, the Nellie Mae Education Foundation, and Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield. He also serves on the Visiting Committee of the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Dr. Trueheart serves on the Building Strong and Ethical Foundations Advisory Committee of the Council on Foundations, and he is a member of the National Panel on the Nonprofit Sector. Additionally, Dr. Trueheart is a member of the Advisory Board for the Commonfund Benchmarks Study of Foundations.
He has held a variety of positions in the past, including service as the co-chair of the Pittsburgh Mayor's Commission on Public Education, the chairman of the Rhode Island Independent Higher Education Association and the vice chairman of the National Council of Presidents of the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges. Past board directorships include Fleet National Bank, Fleet National Bank Southern New England Banking Group, Narragansett Electric Company, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Rhode Island, New England Education Loan Marketing Corporation, Nellie Mae, Inc., the Rhode Island Public Education Fund, National Education Fund Network, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, the Rhode Island Children's Crusade, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), and the AICPA Foundation. He is a former member of the Learning Network Education Partners and of the Alumni Council of the Harvard University Graduate School of Education.
Honors include University of Connecticut Distinguished Alumnus, Harvard University Littauer Fellow, Travelli Fellow and Ford Foundation Fellow.
Dr. Trueheart earned his BA degree in political science and economics at the University of Connecticut, his MPA at the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government, and EdD at the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University. His honorary degrees include a PhD in Humane Letters from Bryant University, a PhD in Education from Bridgewater State College and a DBA from Johnson and Wales University.
Ultimate is a sport played on a field about the same size as a football field, with two 25-yard endzones and a 70-yard playing field. It's played with 7 players on the field for each team at one time. In Ultimate, play is started with something similar to a kickoff in football, called a pull in ultimate, where the defense throws the disc off to the offense. The offense then catches the pull and works the disc downfield by throwing passes. If there is an interception or incomplete pass of any type, it results in a turnover: offense becomes defense, defense becomes offense, and you're going the other way with everything. If the offense catches a pass in the endzone, it's similar to a touchdown in football, called a goal in ultimate, and it's worth one point. Ultimate is governed by a code of ethics whereby players are expected to know the rules, play by the rules, and simply to be fair to their opponents. This code of sportsmanship is called "Spirit of the Game," and it's what allows Ultimate to be a self refereed sport even at the highest levels of collegiate and club play.
Where can I find more information about Ultimate?
Visit the Ultimate Players Association website at: http://www.upa.org/
What is PHUL?
PHUL is the governing body for High School ultimate in the Pittsburgh area. It is analogous to WPIAL for Ultimate Frisbee, and oversees the spring competitive season, playoffs, and state qualifiers for Western Pennsylvania.
How may teams and players participate in PHUL?
In the 2006 season, we had approximately 330 registered players and 24 teams. 18 of these teams were "Varsity" teams, and this year we are pleased to have our first ever girls team.
What makes PHUL special?
There are so many things that are great about PHUL. First and foremost, PHUL is on the cutting edge of high school ultimate not only in Pittsburgh, but around the country. As one of the top 5 largest high school leagues in the country, PHUL puts Pittsburgh at the forefront of this sport. In addition, PHUL is unique in that it is the only High School ultimate league that is run by the players - a board of 5 players is selected at the beginning of each year by the administrators of PHUL to run the next spring season. This gives them an experience that they won't get anywhere in else, allowing them to build leadership and organizational skills in a real world environment.
What is the Community for Pittsburgh Ultimate?
The Community for Pittsburgh Ultimate (CPU) is the local organizing group responsible for all Ultimate-related activity in the city of Pittsburgh and neighboring regions. With over 500 active members, CPU is responsible for the organization of a series of local recreational leagues throughout the year. The largest of these leagues is the Summer League, a co-rec league which is open to players of all skill levels and focuses on introducing the sport to new players. Registration for this league is open until mid-May. Please visit our Web site (listed below) if you are interested in joining. Additionally, the community hosts a number of invitational tournaments throughout the year, which attract players from all over North America. For more information, please visit the CPU Web site at www.pittsburgh-ultimate.org.
Where can I find more information about CPU?
Visit the Pittsburgh Ultimate website at: /
I still have questions. Who can I contact?
Please contact David Vatz at davidvatz@gmail.com with any additional questions.