YSU scholarships offer help in Hartzell's name

Last year, the golf outing and motorcycle run raised more than $40,000.
& lt;a href=mailto:meade@vindy.com & gt;By PATRICIA MEADE & lt;/a & gt;
VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Thanks to two now-annual fund-raisers, the memory of Patrolman Michael T. Hartzell will live on through Youngstown State University scholarships.
Soon after the officer was shot to death April 29, 2003, friends of his father, Howard Hartzell, conceived the idea of a fund-raising golf outing. The friends included Chip Olenick, golf pro at Countryside Golf Course in Lowellville.
"Right after it happened, they said: 'We have to do something' and decided on a golf scholarship," Hartzell said. "They asked if I'd liked to be involved and I said, 'Sure. I'm a golfer.'"
To qualify for a $1,000 scholarship, YSU students must have a 2.5 grade-point average or above. Special consideration is given to children of police officers, YSU students majoring in criminal justice and graduates of Austintown Fitch High School, Hartzell's alma mater.
The 2nd annual Michael T. Hartzell Charity Golf Outing is June 27 at Countryside. Sponsors include Clear Channel, Jolly Joe's Sports Bar and News Radio WKBN 570. Outback Steakhouse is donating dinner for the golfers.
Last year, the golf outing raised $15,000.
This year, the search is on for corporate sponsorships. For $500, corporate sponsors get a banner and radio and TV acknowledgment. For hole sponsorships, the donation is $100.
Hartzell said that, so far, Denise and John York have contributed $500, as did Butler Wick. Sponsors are also being sought to donate prizes.
Olenick is serving as the event coordinator. He can be reached at (330) 755-0016.
Motorcycle run
Scholarship money also comes from a motorcycle run that originates at Jolly Joe's sports bar on Sheridan Road. Hartzell said the business still has a sign dedicated to his son, with badge No. 1085
The 2nd annual Our Fallen Officers Memorial run will be July 11. For information, call (330) 781-6422.
Last year, the bike run raised $26,000, Hartzell said.
In January, the first recipients of the YSU scholarships were announced.
They are Jeffrey Cane of Canfield, Shawna Roberts of Austintown, and Michael Sullivan and Racel Sullivan, both of Youngstown. Cane and the Sullivans are children of police officers. Roberts is a Fitch High School graduate.