Upper St. Clair child to sign with Pittsburgh Power
Tuesday April 26, 2011
Michael’s Dream becomes Reality Thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation® in Honor of World Wish Day
Pittsburgh, Pa., April 25, 2011 – The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Greater Pennsylvania and Southern West Virginia and the Pittsburgh Power will join in World Wish Day®, the global celebration of wish granting next week, by fulfilling 10-year-old Michael “Mick” Walsh’s wish to be a member of the Pittsburgh Power.
Michael will officially sign a contract with the Power and owner Matt Shaner on April 27 at 6 p.m. at the UPMC Sports Performance Complex, give a press conference, and practice alongside his fellow teammates.
Michael will show off his skills at the next Power home game on May 7 where many more surprises await the Power’s newest addition to the roster.
"Michael is what we call a 'character guy', a great presence in the locker room - as well as having a lot of potential for the future,” said Coach Chris Siegfried. “We are very pleased to make him a part of the Pittsburgh Power".
Michael’s wish marks the first collaboration between the Make-A-Wish Foundation® and the Pittsburgh Power and will be among those granted in honor of World Wish Day, which is being celebrated in 36 countries served by the Foundation.
World Wish Day is April 29 and is organized by the Make-A-Wish Foundation® to commemorate the anniversary of the wish that inspired the creation of what is now one of the world’s leading children’s charities. Seven-year-old Chris Greicius’ wish to be a police officer was granted in Phoenix by volunteers from several law-enforcement agencies on April 29, 1980.
Chris’ legacy continues today with Michael’s powerful wish. For more information about Michael’s wish or World Wish Day, please contact Dana Antkowiak at (412) 471-9474.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Greater Pennsylvania and Southern West Virginia is a non-profit organization that grants wishes to children, aged 2 ½ to 18, with life-threatening medical conditions. Currently, the Foundation is one of the most active chapters in the country, having fulfilled more than 12,000 wishes. For more information, please call the Make-A-Wish Foundation at (800) 676-9474 or visit its Web site at www.wishgreaterpa.org <http://www.wishgreaterpa.org/> .
About the Pittsburgh Power
The Pittsburgh Power officially became a new Arena Football League franchise on August 20th, 2010. The ownership group includes Matt Shaner, who also is the franchise’s General Manager, and pro-football legend, Lynn Swann. The team will play their home games at the CONSOL Energy Center. The inaugural season of the Pittsburgh Power of the AFL kicked off against in-state rival The Philadelphia Soul on Friday, March 11th with the Soul defeating the Power in overtime 52-58. The remaining home schedule includes games against divisional rivals the Cleveland Gladiators and the Milwaukee Mustangs, and a visit by the defending Arena Bowl Champions, the Spokane Shock. Single game and Season tickets are on-sale. Additionally, mini-plans, and “flex” plans are available. Tickets, and additional information, are available at www.pittsburghpowerfootball.com <http://www.pittsburghpowerfootball.com> .
