Matt Harrington, a Class of ’87 graduate from Council Rock High School, a scholastic all-star in ice hockey, and a junior Canadian team hopeful, lost his life while swimming in Neshaminy Creek.
The season after Matt died, 1987/88 Kathie and Vince Harrington went to every CR game. Stood by the boards and as the buzzer sounded, Vince walked over, opened the door and shook the hand of every player. At the end of their undefeated season, Vince Harrington gave each player an engraved watch.
Their goal was for Matt to never to be forgotten and so funds were raised for a scholarship in his name. The first award was for $1,000 in 1988.
The family held dinner/auction with sports celebrities as guests, sold chances on a big screen TV and then came up with the idea of a golf tournament. “THE MATT”’s first tournament was in 1991. When CR South opened its doors and started the hockey program, the Harrington's felt strongly that the scholarship would be awarded to both North and South players.
The Matt Harrington Memorial Scholarship Fund awarded a scholarship each year, a graduating ice hockey player from both Council Rock North and South, with plans to pursue his or her education. After the last two banquets of 2016, a total of $411,000 was awarded to North and South hockey players.
Unfortunately the funds for the scholarship have been depleted and the Harrington Family is no longer able to continue the scholarship. However, CR South Ice Hockey Club is very committed to continuing this scholarship and to always keep Matt Harrington’s legacy alive within our organization.
We hope that members of our community will help us to raise funds so that it will enable us to award the Matt Harrington Scholarship every year to a graduating senior from CR South.
To make a charitable donation. Please click on the link above
