The Wilt Chamberlain Memorial Fund (“The Fund”) celebrated the opening of its 2025 scholarship application with a week of exciting programming for its members.
In partnership with the Sixers Youth Foundation, students and alumni were invited to a career development panel with members of the 76ers front office to learn more about the many opportunities of working in sports. Featured on the panel were Alex Deffaa (Senior Manager, Premium Service), Aris Watson (Coordinator, Youth Programs and Social Responsibility), Jonathan Jackson (Coordinator, Corporate Partnerships Activation), Morgan Pivovarnik (Manager, Brand and Creative), and Wesley Stafford (Director, Content Strategy). Each panelist was able to share their career journey and provide applicable advice for attendees to learn how they can break into the sports industry, whether they are in school or looking to change career paths. This opportunity was part of The Fund’s Professional Development Series which helps prepare scholarship recipients for life during and after their collegiate journeys.
Following the panel, attendees also took a tour of The Penn Medicine Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex to get a behind-the-scenes tour at where the 76ers players and coaches train and practice.
On Friday, January 10, the Fund opened its 2025 scholarship application and celebrated its annual Wilt Chamberlain Memorial Fund Recognition Night for current and former recipients of the scholarship at the Philadelphia 76ers vs New Orleans Pelicans game!
The evening kicked off with a pre-game reception where attendees celebrated the program, welcomed the newest inductees, and networked with one another. The reception also featured speeches from Wilt’s sister, Selina Gross, and childhood friend and 76ers Executive Advisor, Sonny Hill, on the impact of the program and how they can use their opportunities to help others, just as Wilt did.
After the reception, the program’s freshmen were also celebrated during an on-court recognition at halftime!
Applications for the Wilt Chamberlain Memorial Fund are now being accepted until April 22 for high school seniors in the Philadelphia area with financial need, who are furthering their studies at a four-year college or university, a two-year community college, or a vocational school. Scholars are selected based not only on their academic accomplishments and financial need, but also their embodiment of Wilt Chamberlain’s characteristics of hard work and the pursuit of greatness, as well as a passion for volunteering and serving others.
For more information on the WCMF and its scholarship program, click here.