VCU news

By Lissette Linares

The spirit of giving has once again struck Virginia Commonwealth University professor Domenic Sica, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Hypertension, who in 1997 gave 1,500 VCU men’s basketball tickets to Richmond schoolchildren. This year, in addition to giving away tickets to the VCU-George Mason University game on Jan. 22, Sica will offer free health screenings and will award $10,000 in scholarships.

"It’s important that we create a dynamic evolving approach to children and health and that we encourage community support for the city’s children," Sica said. "My hope is that more community members will get involved in this event and will help to generate financial support for our kids."

Fifteen Richmond public schools each will receive 100 tickets to the VCU-GMU game. Tickets will be given to students at the schools’ discretion.

Scholarship recipients will be announced at the game. Sponsored by Advil, the $1,500 scholarships will go to six Richmond City high school seniors with good academic standing, who also have made a significant contribution to the community. Students will be required to submit a two-page essay, detailing their accomplishments and how they hope to create a legacy of service and dedication in the Richmond community, as well as offer ways to increase children’s involvement in the community. Deadline for application submission is Dec. 10. Scholarship recipients will be selected by a panel of judges including Sica and staff from Richmond Public Schools.

"These kids are going to become my kids," Sica said. "I see them as allies. They’re the ones who are going to provide a model for how we can encourage our youth to become active citizens and community members."

Sica also will offer free health and blood pressure screenings before the game. A student from the Richmond Public Schools will open the VCU-GMU basketball game by singing the national anthem. The half-time show will feature a free-throw contest between 10 middle school students, with prizes and give-away items. Students also will have an opportunity to meet the VCU players and Rams mascot Rodney the Ram.

"What Dr. Sica’s doing really is wonderful," said James Bynum, director of public information for Richmond Public Schools. "It’s so easy once you get to a certain position in life to just sit back and enjoy what you have. It’s another thing though, once you reach that position, to do what you can to help others, particularly inner-city kids."

The first basketball game sponsored by Sica was held in 1997 to thank the Richmond community for the support he’d received over the years. An avid sports fan, Sica wanted to create an event that would bring together his love for the game and his commitment to area children and to preventive healthcare.

Tip-off for the VCU-GMU basketball game is 7:30 p.m. A pre-game reception will be offered at 6:30 p.m. in the Siegel Center. Scholarship applications are available at all Richmond public schools.