Harrison Fitch Leadership Fund to Host Leadership Greatness Reception

SPRINGFIELD — Brooks Fitch, on behalf of the Harrison Fitch Leadership Fund, is hosting a leadership greatness summit for 150 local youth scholars and leaders prior to the Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement. The event will be held at the new Hope Center for the Arts in Springfield (formerly known as CityStage) on Saturday, Sept. 6 from 3:45 to 5:45 p.m.

The event is being underwritten by generous sponsorship of the University of Connecticut, New Valley Bank & Trust, and the Beveridge Family Foundation, along with collaborative partners Basketball Hall of Fame, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, University of Connecticut, Alpha Psi Boule, Hazen Paper, Hope Center for the Arts, and Glenmeadow.

“The Fitch Fund has collaborated with young leaders at previous Hall of Fame events at Mohegan Sun; however, this is the first time that the fund is honoring Springfield area scholar leaders here in Springfield,” said Brooks Fitch, the founder of the Harrison Fitch Leadership Fund. “We are very excited to honor and inspire our next generation of local leaders in this unique way, tied to one of the most important annual events in Springfield.”

The student leaders will be treated to conversations with Hall of Fame inductees Bernard King and Cynthia Cooper.

“Both of these individuals embody the grace and persistence that is so important to young people,” said Jeff Sullivan, president of New Valley Bank. “New Valley is dedicated to investing in the next generation of leaders in our community. Nothing came easy to Bernard King and Cynthia Cooper in their journeys to get into the Hall. The young scholars can learn a tremendous amount from the drive and dedication that has to happen before any dream of Hall of Fame success can be realized.”