Ron Aurit founded the Boxing Scholarship Foundation in 1989 to provide college scholarships to amateur boxers. Since its creation, the foundation has awarded nearly $50,000 in scholarships to help local, regional, and national boxers attend college. Aurit has enlisted the help of famous boxers and celebrities to raise money for the foundation at fundraising galas. In addition to providing scholarships, Aurit coaches boxing at the University of Pennsylvania and mentors students, helping them however he can for over 30 years.

1. MATTHEW S. ROBINSON
62 Brookline Street, Needham, MA 02492
617 877 6264 / matthewsrobinson@mac.com
The following piece appeared in OT:
Fighting for others
Pugilist Ron Aurit goes to the mat for those less fortunate
By Matt Robinson
The whir of the speed bag.
The thump of leather gloves on training pads.
The cheers of college graduates at commencement.
What do these things have in common?
Ron Aurit.
As founder of The Boxing Scholarship Foundation, Philadelphia school teacher and
committeeman Aurit has committed thousands hours and thousands of dollars to help
other pugilists make their way in the world through the world of academics.
“I started the Foundation because, when I was boxing amateur, representing Temple
University, a lot of other boxers would come up to me and ask me about how to go to
college,” Aurit explains. “They knew I had gone to college and they looked up to me and
would ask me for help. And I was happy to help them. I was needed and it was fun!”
Since 1989, the BSF has given almost $50,000 in scholarship money to local, regional,
and national amateurs.
“I often call the kids we have helped to see what they are doing now,” Aurit says. “Most
of them have graduated college.”
Among the recent scholarship recipients is Chazz Witherspoon, nephew of former
heavyweight champion Tim.
“We’ve helped a lot of kids,” Aurit says. “And we have also contributed to USA Boxing’s

2. scholarship fund.”
In addition to giving of his own time and money, Aurit has enlisted the help of fans and
fellow fighters, including champs like Joe Frazier Larry Holmes, Bernard Hopkins, and
Sugar Ray Leonard, as well as politicians and celebrities such as musical artists Willie
Nelson and Sister Sledge and actor Tex Cobb, all of whom participated in the
Foundation’s fundraising galas.
“We have had local politicians fight each other,” Aurit recalls, noting that the event was
featured on “The Tonight Show” in 1997, “and Willie Nelson fought Tex Cobb…and
won! It was always a great event and we always raised a lot of money for the kids.”
In addition to his professional and celebrity partners, Aurit has had the pleasure of
working with and coaching students at The University of Pennsylvania since 1976. As
such, Aurit has a team of hundreds of educated friends around the world who are
always willing to help him help others.
“I was recruited to come to Penn by two students,” Aurit recalls. “We started at different
fraternity houses, and eventually went intercollegiate and had a national champion in
1979!”
And even though the boxing program at Penn has fallen in and out of official recognition
and favor, Aurit is on campus every week training and mentoring whoever wants to work
with him.
“I have thought about quitting,” Aurit admits, “but the kids keep calling me and we end
up making such strong relationships. So as long as they want me, I will come by.”
As a long-time boxing referee, undefeated collegiate champion, Maccabiah Games
participant and coach and former professional fighter who once went the distance with
Leonard in the Golden Gloves, Aurit knows his way around the ring. As a 32-year
veteran of the Philadelphia public school system who has taught health, physical
education, CPR, and a host of other subjects, Aurit also knows how to teach and how to
help others reach their fullest potential. As a local politician and neighborhood
representative, Aurit also knows how to contribute to his community. Each day, he
combines all of this knowledge, plus the “people smarts” he developed as a military
“brat” and as a long-time resident of the City of Brotherly Love to do all he can to help
others do all they can.
“I feel like a father to all these kids,” Aurit explains. “I was in the same position many of
these kids were in. I didn’t know how to defend myself. So I teach them how to fight
without being beat up and that skill carries with them into the rest of their lives. I learned
the hard way, so I try to help the kids avoid going through the same things I went
through. That is why I still do all this.”
For information about the Boxing Scholarship Foundation, call 215 947 8954 or email
bsf89@comacast.net.

3. MATTHEW S. ROBINSON
62 Brookline Street, Needham, MA 02492
617 877 6264 / matthewsrobinson@mac.com
The following piece appeared in Forbes:
Sneaking through history
By Matthew S. Robinson
From tree bark to titanium, the stuff of sneakers has changed greatly over time. Still, consumers
clamor for a product that feels most like their own feet.
Prehistory – Hunter-gatherers strap tree bark, plant leaves and even animal hides to their feet to
protect their calloused soles from the even harder terrain on which they hunted and gathered.
1600s – Sap from the cachuchu tree is used by Central Ameri9can natives to make bouncing
balls, waterproof bottles and, by dipping their feet in it, water- and big-proof “shoes.” While not
exactly as responsive as today’s rubber soles, the sap provides protection in a more comfortable
format than leaves and bark.
1700s/1800s – “Rubber” is officially named by Joseph Priestly in 1779. In 1839, Charles
Goodyear discovers the vulcanization process that allows rubber to remain pliable even when
cold. Shoes soled with the new material are nearly silent when used, allowing wearers to sneak
around in them. In the 1860s, the term “sneakers” is coined by writer James Greenwood.
1900s - In 1916, U.S. Rubber Co. introduces Keds, the world’s first mass-marketed sneaker.
Followers include Converse All-Stars (1917), Germany’s Adidas and Puma “training shoes”
(1945), Boston-based New Balance’s “Trackster” (1962) and “The Marathon” from Japan’s Tiger
Shoes (1967). The last of these was designed by Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman.
2000s – Air, Gel, React juice, helium and even springs (Boing!), push the development of
sneaker technology at an exponential rate. Youth culture-driven brands like Nike, Reebok, Fila
and Adidas jostle for top position while Old Guards like Keds (now owned by Stride-Rite) and
Converse (currently in Chapter 11) fade away. Customization comes to the individual with
design-your-own shoe programs. Future plans include anti-gravity soles and sole-based
microcomputers that will allow wearers to exchange information with a handshake.