2020 Legends of Sport Weekend

PRESS RELEASE

Sports Legends Team Up to Perpetuate One Hockey Player’s Legacy and “Assist” Deserving Young Athletes

They Play Their Hearts Out. Let’s Support Them.

TAMPA, Fla. – Jan. 6, 2020 – Jason Ritchie found solace and purpose on the ice. More than just a sport, hockey taught him invaluable life lessons, especially the importance of teamwork, accountability and dedication. After his untimely passing, his parents wanted to honor his legacy by launching a foundation that uses hockey and other sports to help other youth discover and live up to their potential.

ABOUT

The Jason Ritchie Hockey Scholarship Foundation (“Ritchie Hockey Foundation”) was founded in 2009 by Donna Ritchie after her son Jason was tragically killed in a car accident that same year. Even in the midst of unspeakable grief, the Ritchie family knew that Jason’s love for hockey could and should live on.

Jason was six years old when he laced up his first pair of skates. From that moment on, he was hooked on the sport and committed to excellence.

The Ritchie Hockey Foundation serves student athletes like Jason who play their hearts out. These kids develop strength of character, selflessness, and drive through hockey. They know that success on the ice requires persistence, teamwork, and commitment. We know that those same qualities foster success in life.

Talented and driven young athletes should only be limited by the size of their dreams and the depth of their commitment, never by the availability of financial resources. That’s where we come in. We lead skills clinics and award scholarships to deserving student athletes who need our help to continue growing through hockey.

The Ritchie Hockey Foundation is funded exclusively by individual and corporate donations as well as grant funding from other sources. We are passionate about the wealth of potential for youth development through hockey. We honor Jason by helping kids excel in the sport that he loved so very much.

Jason’s Story

HOW TO HELP

“Life is not a spectator sport. If you’re going to spend your whole life in the grandstand just watching what goes on, in my opinion you’re wasting your life.”

– Jackie Robinson

Jason lived his life through activity and engagement. We welcome support from individuals, businesses and other organizations who want to give back by helping us empower young players to achieve their dreams on and off the ice.

The Jason Ritchie Hockey Foundation is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent allowable under IRS regulations.

Thank you for supporting our foundation!

GALLERY

PAST EVENTS

Thank you for supporting our Annual Legends of Sport Weekend

Empowering Kids...On and Off the Ice

EVENT INTERVIEWS

Interview - Orestes Destrade

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Interview - Bob and Donna Ritchie

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2019 Event Recap Video

All sports legends were created when good people, family, and friends imagined small ways of serving and helping each of them to reach their ultimate success. This service is the backbone of who we are. And, it's why the Ritchie Hockey Foundation exists. We're the financial “assist” to deserving student athletes who need the extra lift to greatness!

Nearly 40 accomplished athletes attended our annual golf tournament fundraiser, and we are so very grateful to them, as well as to all the companies and individuals who supported and participated in our event. Their generosity and kindness epitomizes the heart of our Foundation and our mission. We’re already planning for another great event next year – you won’t want to miss it!

This year’s donations will be used to support the Guide the Thunder program and local scholarship recipients.

View 2019 Legends