Ted Karras partners with UC for Cincy Hat scholarships

Bengal becomes benefactor to UC’s TAP program

Local and national media outlets devoted coverage to the generosity of Bengal Ted Karras’ donation of two scholarships through his charitable organization, The Cincy Hat foundation, to UC’s Transition and Access Pathways (TAP) program.

The story was published by both Sports Illustrated: Ted Karras Partners With University of Cincinnati For Cincy Hat Scholarships and Local 12: 'Change the dream'.

TAP is a four-year college certificate program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). TAP students fully embrace college life by living, working, learning and leading on UC's campus, becoming independent and active members of the Bearcat community.

The first two scholarship recipients are TAP students Mariah Eaves and Jessica Neal, both of whom have hats named for them in a new Black/red The Cincy Hat series; the proceeds of which will go to fund more scholarships at TAP.

Karras started The Cincy Hat in late 2022 as a fundraiser for Village of Merici in Indianapolis, an independent living and services provider for adults with IDD. The TAP program scholarships are the first Cincinnati-based partnership of the foundation as they expand their impact to benefit the local Ohio community. 

The TAP program is housed in UC’s College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services, within the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities program. 

Featured photo of Ted Karras and UC TAP students provided by CECH.

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