West Chester University football players walk past a statue of former WCU QB Michael Horrocks, a United Airlines Pilot who was killed on 9/11.
The Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) will present a $50,000 gift to West Chester University (WCU) for the Michael Horrocks Football Scholarship Endowment Fund. Vice President of Finance-Treasurer of ALPA Joseph Genovese will present a check to West Chester University President Christopher Fiorentino on Saturday, October 16, during halftime of the noon WCU vs. East Stroudsburg University football game.
On September 11, 2001, Michael Horrocks ‘85, a former WCU football quarterback, was the copilot of the United Airlines Flight 175 that crashed into the South Tower of the World Trade Center. The Michael Horrocks Football Scholarship was established in 2012 in Horrocks’s memory and a bronze statue of him stands in WCU’s Farrell Stadium. The scholarship is awarded annually to a standout West Chester University Golden Rams football player by Head Coach Bill Zwaan and WCU Director of Athletics Terence Beattie. Since its inception, the renewable scholarship has awarded $21,225 to four student-athletes. This year’s scholarship recipient is Gabrial A. Schappell, a senior wide receiver from Reading, PA.
Joseph Genovese says, “The Air Line Pilots Association, International is proud to provide this support to the Michael Horrocks Football Scholarship Endowment Fund. As we commemorate 20 years since 9/11, it is important that we continue to honor our fallen heroes, who were also our beloved colleagues and friends, by ensuring that their contributions to our profession are never forgotten.”
Horrocks was a quarterback for the WCU’s Golden Rams football team from 1981 to 1984. After graduation, he served as an officer in the U.S. Marines as a pilot and later as a flight instructor. After retiring from the military, Horrocks became a pilot for United Airlines. Attendees for the check presentation on October 16 include:
- Dr. Christopher Fiorentino, President of West Chester University
- Joseph Genovese, VP Finance-Treasurer, ALPA
- Christopher Mominey, WCU Foundation CEO
- Terence Beattie, WCU Director of Athletics
- Miriam Horrocks–Isenberg ’87, Paul Isenberg ’87, and other members of the Horrocks Family
Those wishing to contribute to the Michael Horrocks Football Scholarship Endowment Fund can visit https://go.wcufoundation.org/donate with fund name Michael Horrocks Scholarship Endowment or fund number 4500-861.
The Air Line Pilots Association, International promotes and champions all aspects of aviation safety throughout all segments of the aviation community. Since 1931, their commitment to safety and the advancement of the profession has made them the guardians and defender of rights and privileges of the professional pilots who are members of the Association.
