University of Hartford Department of Athletics Announces
Caring Neighbor Program

The University of Hartford athletics program and the corporate community in Greater Hartford have joined forces to form the Caring Neighbor Program. Through the University and its Program partners, tickets are distributed to youth groups and civic organizations via ticket "grants." The Caring Neighbor pays a sponsorship fee that subsidizes the tickets. The tickets are distributed either by the University or through channels established by the Caring Neighbor.

The community service initiative brings the University of Hartford athletics program increased visibility in the business community;helps generate ticket sales and game attendance; and better positions the University and its athletics program as a responsive and helpful community citizen. Although primarily a men's basketball initiative, parts of the Program also benefit women's basketball.

The 2003-04 members of the Caring Neighbor Program are:

Banknorth Connecticut
Capital Region Workforce
Carpenter Construction
Day, Berry Howard LLP
Hartford Hospital
Hartford Housing Authority
Horace Mann Companies
The Imagineers
Kaman Corporation
Killian, Donohue & Jaff, LLC
Leadership First, LLC
Macri Associates
MassMutual Financial Group
PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP
Shipman & Goodwin, LLP
SNG/CNG
The Hartford Courant
Tomasso Brothers, Inc.
Travelers Foundation
Urban League of Greater Hartford, Inc.

Some of the early beneficiaries of the Program include Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Greater Hartford Probus Club, New Britain Transitional Center and Gifts of Love, among others.

"Our President, Walter Harrison, has identified 'engagement' with community as of the key components of the present and future success of the University of Hartford," said Jim Keener, associate athletics director and the Program's manager. "The Caring Neighbor Program is one way athletics can do its part."

For more information on becoming a Caring Neighbor or Program beneficiary, contact Dana Rieger, Assistant AD for Sales & Corporate Relations, either by phone at (860) 768-4943 or via e-mail at rieger@hartford.edu.