The 36th annual Steelers Run Walk took place on Pittsburgh’s North Shore, offering participants a chance to get active while supporting meaningful causes. The event included both in-person and virtual races, as well as a Kids Fun Run, with former Steelers legends Rocky Bleier and Larry Brown serving as honorary co-chairs and Chris Hoke as the emcee. The atmosphere was filled with excitement and enthusiasm, but the event’s impact went beyond the race itself, as it aimed to make a difference in the lives of others by supporting two important initiatives: the Chuck Noll Foundation for Brain Injury Research and the Art Rooney Scholarship Fund.
The Chuck Noll Foundation for Brain Injury Research was established by the Steelers in 2016 to honor the late Hall of Fame coach, Chuck Noll. The foundation’s mission is to support ongoing research and education related to brain injuries and the treatment of sports-related concussions. By funding the most promising research in this field, the foundation seeks to advance our understanding and treatment of these conditions. To ensure the effectiveness of its funding decisions, the foundation relies on a national medical advisory panel comprised of some of the country’s most esteemed neurosurgeons.
In addition to supporting brain injury research, the Steelers Run Walk also benefits the Art Rooney Scholarship Fund, named in memory of the team’s founder, Art Rooney Sr. The scholarship fund was created to honor Rooney’s legacy and to support the education of local students. Each year, the fund provides a grant to a student from North Catholic High School and awards scholarships to two students graduating from Pittsburgh high schools who reside on the North Side. Since its inception, the Art Rooney Scholarship Fund has awarded grants to more than 90 local students, helping them pursue higher education and achieve their dreams.
The 2024 recipients of the Art Rooney Scholarship are Carly Duncan, Megan Mashuda, and Taymir Smalls, all of whom were honored guests at the Steelers’ training camp this year. Steelers President Art Rooney II, along with his sister Patricia Rooney-Gerrero, presented the scholarships to the students, recognizing their achievements and wishing them success in their future endeavors.
Art Rooney II expressed his pride in meeting the scholarship recipients and seeing how the program has positively impacted so many young lives over the years. He emphasized that the scholarship is not limited to athletes and that each year, the selection process is challenging because of the high caliber of applicants. For him, it’s heartening to witness so many young people succeeding and making progress in their lives.
Carly Duncan, a graduate of Perry Traditional Academy, is one of the scholarship recipients. Originally from the Caribbean, Duncan is a member of the ROTC and plans to attend Point Park University, where she will major in either history or anatomy. Reflecting on her journey, Duncan shared that receiving the scholarship is a significant milestone for her, as it eases the financial burden on her family and opens doors to new opportunities.
Megan Mashuda, another scholarship recipient, graduated from North Catholic and will be attending the University of Pittsburgh in the fall. Mashuda expressed her gratitude for the scholarship, acknowledging the Steelers as a generous and supportive organization. Although she doesn’t consider herself a football expert, she appreciates the sport and feels honored to receive a scholarship from a team as respected as the Steelers. For Mashuda, the scholarship is a welcome relief, especially considering her family’s financial responsibilities, as both of her brothers are also pursuing their education.
The third scholarship recipient, Taymir Smalls, also graduated from Perry Traditional Academy and will be attending Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he plans to major in entrepreneurship. Smalls described receiving the scholarship as a dream come true, especially since he has been a lifelong Steelers fan. For him, the opportunity to be recognized by his hometown team and receive financial support for his education is incredibly special. Smalls hopes to use his education to one day start his own clothing brand, and the scholarship brings him one step closer to achieving that goal.
In summary, the Steelers Run Walk is not just a race; it’s an event that brings together the community to support important causes that have a lasting impact. By benefiting the Chuck Noll Foundation for Brain Injury Research and the Art Rooney Scholarship Fund, the event helps advance critical research and provides educational opportunities for local students. The 2024 scholarship recipients, Carly Duncan, Megan Mashuda, and Taymir Smalls, are living examples of how the generosity of the Steelers organization is making a difference in the lives of young people, helping them to pursue their dreams and build a brighter future.
