Tull Family Foundation donates $2.2 million to Pittsburgh school athletics

Thomas Tull is a billionaire entrepreneur, a film producer and the owner of a share of three professional teams, including the Pittsburgh Steelers — but Tull says his success would not have happened without sports.“There are people that care about you, and whatever it is — if it’s a musical instrument, if it’s being a mathematician, if it’s being part of any group that gives you that structure and that lifeline,” Tull said. “For me, it was sports.”Now Tull is giving back to what sports gave him — in a major way. The Tull Family Foundation announced $2.2 million in grants to nine Pittsburgh-area high schools and their athletic programs.”It’s an incredible thought, it’s an incredible donation, and it’s just something that’s so transformative for the children of the Pittsburgh Public Schools and the county,” PPS Superintendent Wayne Walters said.Tull’s “Team UP” program will divide those dollars among nine Allegheny County school districts, with the grants going to the athletics programs — the same ones that Tull says lifted him up as a young person from humble beginnings.“Especially in areas that are challenged economically, and certainly that’s where I’m from, I think it’s a lifeline for some kids — that structure, that mentorship from coaches,” Tull said.The announcement was made at Pittsburgh Science and Technology Academy. Tull brought an all-star team to help deliver the message, including Steelers legends Ben Roethlisberger, Mel Blount, Jerome Bettis and James Harrison.“We need kids to get out. We need to get them away from the computer screens. We need to get them off their phones, and out and doing sports, doing gym class,” Roethlisberger said. “This is just a great way to encourage that, and Thomas has such a heart for that.”I would continue to encourage kids the same way — like, get out, play as many sports as you can. I played three all the way through high school.”Tull said education is the great equalizer, and the Team Up Initiative through his foundation hopes to bring others on board to donate to more school programs.

PITTSBURGH —

Thomas Tull is a billionaire entrepreneur, a film producer and the owner of a share of three professional teams, including the Pittsburgh Steelers — but Tull says his success would not have happened without sports.

“There are people that care about you, and whatever it is — if it’s a musical instrument, if it’s being a mathematician, if it’s being part of any group that gives you that structure and that lifeline,” Tull said. “For me, it was sports.”

Now Tull is giving back to what sports gave him — in a major way. The Tull Family Foundation announced $2.2 million in grants to nine Pittsburgh-area high schools and their athletic programs.

“It’s an incredible thought, it’s an incredible donation, and it’s just something that’s so transformative for the children of the Pittsburgh Public Schools and the county,” PPS Superintendent Wayne Walters said.

Tull’s “Team UP” program will divide those dollars among nine Allegheny County school districts, with the grants going to the athletics programs — the same ones that Tull says lifted him up as a young person from humble beginnings.

“Especially in areas that are challenged economically, and certainly that’s where I’m from, I think it’s a lifeline for some kids — that structure, that mentorship from coaches,” Tull said.

The announcement was made at Pittsburgh Science and Technology Academy. Tull brought an all-star team to help deliver the message, including Steelers legends Ben Roethlisberger, Mel Blount, Jerome Bettis and James Harrison.

“We need kids to get out. We need to get them away from the computer screens. We need to get them off their phones, and out and doing sports, doing gym class,” Roethlisberger said. “This is just a great way to encourage that, and Thomas has such a heart for that.

“I would continue to encourage kids the same way — like, get out, play as many sports as you can. I played three all the way through high school.”

Tull said education is the great equalizer, and the Team Up Initiative through his foundation hopes to bring others on board to donate to more school programs.