Matthew Crozier Memorial Scholarship Fund Established
Matthew Crozier Memorial Scholarship Fund Established To Help Financially Challenged Students at LaSalle College High School and John Carroll University
PHILADELPHIA, PA (December 17, 2012) – Matthew Crozier, the gifted student-athlete from Bucks County who died in a Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity house accident, cherished the time he spent as a student at LaSalle College High School here and at John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio. So it was without hesitation that shortly after his death in January, 2011 that Matt’s family decided to fulfill his wishes to help students at both schools by establishing in his name need-based scholarships for incoming students. The family is announcing that they will be contributing the proceeds of the lawsuit resulting from Matt’s death to The Matthew Crozier Memorial Scholarship Fund, Inc.
David Crozier, Matt’s father, said his son was deeply grateful for the opportunity to attend LaSalle and then John Carroll, and used to talk about someday being able to give back by helping students who were not as fortunate.
“Matt was a caring individual who recognized that often life wasn’t fair, especially if you were economically disadvantaged, and he wanted to do something about that,” explained Crozier. “Our family and close friends, along with officials at LaSalle and John Carroll, agreed that the scholarship fund would be a fitting way to help make Matt’s dream come true.”
William Scott, an attorney who coached Matt in a Bucks County CYO league and is a long time family friend, is serving as the administrator of the Crozier Fund. “Matt was always a dedicated player on the court but more determined away from the game to make a difference by helping others. Through the Fund, he will be making a huge difference in the lives of young people for generations to come.”
Saltz, Mongeluzzi & Bendesky, P.C. represented the family in the lawsuit, with attorneys Robert Mongeluzzi and Ara Avrigian handling the case. The case settled after extensive pre-trial discovery that included depositions from more than 40 prospective plaintiff’s witnesses.
“Matt was a remarkable, compassionate young man, and those characteristics are embodied in this new family-founded educational fund,” said SMB attorneys Robert J. Mongeluzzi and Ara Avrigian, who represented the family in the litigation resulting from the accident. “We are deeply honored to be part of helping to make Matt’s dream of serving others become reality.”
Matt, 20 when he fell over a defective stairway railing in the Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity house on Locust Walk near 35th Street. , was at the frat – commonly known as the Skulls – attending a New Year’s Eve party. A resident of Yardley, Bucks County, he was a standout basketball player at LaSalle High, which has retired his number, and then at John Carroll. He was a red-shirt junior at the time of his death.