Today is September 11, 2009. The United States will never forget this day. In West Chester, Pennsylvania, not far from where I went to College at West Chester University, there will be a special gathering. For the second straight year, people will gather to honor Mike Horrocks, a friend, Marine, United Airlines colleague and football teammate. Mike was a person of principle and integrity whose life ended too soon on September 11, 2001. Many of us from West Chester remember Mike as a tremendous athlete, competitor and leader from his playing days at West Chester from 1981 to 1984 when he was our quarterback. Mike’s leadership and sheer determination was the catalyst leading to one of the biggest upsets wins in West Chester football history – the 1983 upset over the heavily favored Delaware Blue Hens in Mike’s first career start.Each year thousands of students, athletes and faculty attend various events at West Chester University. However there is presently an absence of anything tangible at West Chester to connect those people with Mike’s story and its tragic ending on 9/11/2001. Sadly, with the passing of time, it will only be a few short years until Mike’s name and the legacy of those he represents is completely forgotten at West Chester.
To ensure that Mike’s name and legacy are never forgotten at West Chester University, we have conducted fundraise the last two 9/11 anniversaries. We plan to construct a permanent memorial and establish a perpetual scholarship in Mike’s honor at West Chester University.
This memorial and scholarship will serve many purposes – but two come quickly to mind:
1) To the thousands who will attend events at West Chester in the coming years and decades to come, it will serve as an important reminder of the senseless loss of Mike and nearly 3,000 others who tragically died on 9/11/2001; and
2) For those of us who knew Mike as a teammate, friend, Marine and colleague, it will be a place for us and our families to come and remember him and the short time we spent with him in our lives.
We have had tremendous suppport for this memorial. But, we are still short of our fundraising goal.
All generous donations will make certain we “Never Forget.” Information regarding donations is available at tonight’s donation tables. Make Donation checks Payable to “Mike Horrocks Scholarship Endowment” and return to the donation table or mail to:
West Chester University Athletics
Sturzebecker, HSC
West Chester, PA 19383
Credit card donations may also be made by calling 610 436-2557. Donations may be made in a single installment or in equal monthly installments charged to credit card.
Donations will be received by a 501(c)3 organization and earmarked for a special fund in honor of Mike Horrocks and will be tax deductible.
For additional Information call 610-436-2557.
For additional information on Mike Horrocks and the statue, you may visit: