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  Civic Association Will Honor Denise And John York  
  Making A Difference In The Lives of Others:   by BY JOHN A. DARNELL JR. associate editor   February 25, 2016 Edition  
     The co-chairmen of the San Francisco 49ers, Denise and John York, will be honored on Mon., Mar 14 with the Distinguished Citizens Award presented by the Boardman Civic Association during the organization’s quarterly dinner meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Lariccia Family Center in Boardman Park.
      The Yorks first met on a blind date in South Bend, Indiana when Denise was attending St. Mary’s College and John was a student at Notre Dame. They were married in 1978 and moved to Boardman where John founded DeYor Laboratories and Denise worked with her father at the Edward J. DeBartolo Corp., a pioneer in the development of shopping malls in America. She served as president of the Pittsburgh Penguins hockey team when they won Stanley Cup titles in 1991 and 1992.
      DeYor Labs was a pioneer in its own right, and was among the first labs in the country to use computer technology to provide patients with rapid analysis of blood testing analysis.
      During this time, Denise began to assume the duties of her father in overseeing the DeBartolo Corporation’s and family’s philanthropy, while her husband immersed himself in getting to know the people and businesses in the Mahoning Valley, becoming friends with many notable personalities, including Michael Morley, Clarence Smith, Ed DiGregorio and F.W. ‘Bill’ Knecht.
      DeYor Labs was eventually sold to Corning Industries and John York assumed oversight of the three racetracks owned by Edward J. DeBartolo Sr.---Thistledown, Remington Park and Louisiana Downs.
      In 1999, the Yorks assumed control of the Niners, after the team had won five Super Bowl crowns, and seemingly had the talent to win more, until starting quarterback, Steve Young, retired after being knocked out of a game gainst the Arizona Cardinals.
      Their tenure at the helm has been a rocky journey so far for two people who do not necessarily enjoy the publicity associated with their every move.
      Since assuming control of the Niners, the franchise under the Yorks has gained playoff berths five times, and appeared in one Super Bowl. That record has drawn the ire some of the Niners faithful, and despite all the scrutiny and criticisms, the Yorks have continued a remarkable record of philanthropy.
      Locally they have supported many causes, including a $500,000 gift to Youngstown State University in support of the women’s basketball program, and made a $1.5 million donation to help fund the Wellness and Recreation Center at YSU.
      The York’s contributions in downtown Youngstown saved the old Paramount Theater from demolition and it is now home to the DeYor Performing Arts Center and the Youngstown Symphony Society.
      They assumed leadership of the Italian Scholarship League and now under the banner of the Edward J. DeBartolo Sr. Memorial Scholarship Program, over the past two decades have awarded more than $1 million in college scholarships.
      Hospice of the Valley has been the benefactor of the York’s major contributions for more than a decade through the annual Mardi Gras event.
      Many Junior League projects in the Mahoning Valley have been supported by major contributions from the Yorks.
      Boardman Community Baseball’s Field of Dreams, boasting 20 fields and among the largest youth baseball facilities east of the Mississippi River, was created with contributions from John York and his teammate in the construction of the facility, Clarence Smith.
      It was under Dr. York’s tenure as BCB president in 1999 that a youngster injured his face when it was caught on an outfield fence. York immediately stepped-in to provide safety barriers for fences throughout the complex.
      In San Francisco, the York’s philanthropy cuts a wide swath.
      The San Francisco 49ers Foundation is the non-profit community funding extension of the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers Foundation supports development programs for underserved youth that keep them, “Safe, On Track, and In School.” Since 1992, the foundation has donated over $23.3 million to support non-profits.
      The 49ers ongoing efforts to promote education took significant steps forward in 2014, with the establishment of The Denise DeBartolo York Education Center, located inside The 49ers Museum at Levi’s Stadium. The education center provides learning platforms that connect, inspire, and engage students in grades K-8. The curriculum features content-rich lessons in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), ingrains invaluable life skills and encourages physical activity. Annually, the center serves more than 20,000 children free of charge.
      In recognition of their community involvement, the couple has been honored with a number of accolades including the Children Discovery Museum’s Legacy for Children Award, City Year’s Service Leadership Award, Silicon Valley Exemplary Community Leadership Award by Silicon Valley FACES, Outstanding Corporate Philanthropy Award at the Catholic Charities/Catholic Youth Organization’s Loaves & Fishes Dinner, and inclusion on the Top Corporate Philanthropists list for the San Jose/Silicon Valley Business Journal.
      The couple’s passion for community involvement extends beyond the Bay Area as well.
      John has been honored with Loyola University’s Strich Medal, the highest honor awarded by the school, for his ongoing contributions to his alma mater.
      Denise and John were honored with the Youngstown Hearing & Speech Center’s Great Communicators Award in recognition of their philanthropic leadership. The couple continues to support the Boys and Girls Club of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley United Way.
      John York is chairman of the NFL’s Health and Safety Advisory Committee, where he plays a key role in the development of safety protocols to prevent on-field concussions. While chairman of that committee, the rate of concussions in the league has shown a dramatic decline over the past three seasons.
      Dr. York and his wife have not forgotten their roots.
      Denise contributed $5 million last year for renovations at her high school alma mater, Cardinal Mooney High School.
      John has made a number of contributions in the medical field, including a $1.5 million contribution to establish an Endowed Chair in Pathology and an Endowed Chief Residency in Pathology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. In 1999, he donated a science and math building to Little Rock (Arkansas) Catholic High School for Boys, his alma mater.
      Among the many contributions of the Yorks is a donation to fund the Serenity Garden at the Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center, support of the Ray ‘Boom Boom’ Mancini Foundation, and the recent Boardman Stadium project, to name a few.
      There is an extra-special note of philanthropy with the Yorks.
      Edward J. DeBartolo Sr. died in 1994, just after he had announced one of the largest gifts ever to an American university, more than $30 million to Notre Dame. The gift resulted in the construction of two major facilities at the college, DeBartolo Hall, that now houses about two-thirds of all the classroom space at the school; and the Marie P. DeBartolo Performing Arts Center.
      Denise and John York made sure Mr. DeBartolo’s pledge to Notre Dame was fulfilled.
      In addition to the Distinguished Citizens Awards, the Civic Association will also present several, other awards.
      Doug Sweeney, head of Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC on Market St. in Boardman will be recognized as Businessman of the Year. Accolades for the Best New Building will be given to Deering Compressor on Simon Rd., and best remodeled building will be the Huntington Plaza, at Rt. 224 and Tippecanoe Rd.
      In addition special recognition will be given to the Boardman Local Schools stadium project, and the remodeling of the Boardman Library.
 
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