Bitter Words as District, Dick’s End Relationship

Sporting goods chain’s charity says district broke agreement; district says foundation acted unilaterally

By Staff Reports
The Tube City Almanac
May 28, 2025
Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

(Editor’s Note: This is a developing story and will be updated with new information as needed)

Guests at the 2022 launch event of United at Twin Rivers included Aimee Watters, executive director of the Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation; Tim Joyce, chief of staff for then-state Sen. Jim Brewster; Jackie Castma, associate executive director of the Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation; Brandy Daye, assistant principal, Twin Rivers; then-district superintendent Mark Holtzman Jr.; Tia Wanzo, then-assistant superintendent; then-state representative Austin Davis, now lieutenant governor; McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko; and then state representative, now state senator, Nick Pisciottano. (File photo/Tube City Almanac)

A more than three-year-long relationship between McKeesport Area School District and the charitable arm of Findlay Twp.-based Dick’s Sporting Goods has come to an acrimonious end.

District Superintendent Donald MacFann issued a statement Tuesday saying that Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation had made a “unilateral decision to end the partnership,” which has seen the philanthropy donate what it said was more than $13 million since 2021 to support educational programs at Twin Rivers Elementary School, fund professional and student development, and create a community center.

“Like many of you, the McKeesport Area School Board is deeply disappointed by this unexpected decision,” MacFann wrote.

“Over the course of this school year, MASD has worked diligently with DSGF to ensure our partnership benefited as many students as possible, with a particular focus on supporting their academic success,” MacFann wrote.

“Unfortunately, we were informed — without prior notice — that DSGF had made a unilateral decision to end the partnership,” he wrote. “We were also informed that DSGF is shifting from partnership-based programs to a grant-based model of support.”

Foundation disputes district’s statement

But Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation issued its own statement, disputing the district’s point of view, and placing the blame on McKeesport Area School Board President Mark Holtzman Sr.

“The current school board and district leadership did not uphold the written partnership agreement we had in place,” a Dick’s Foundation spokeswoman said in a written statement provided to Tube City Almanac.

“When we sought a path forward, the school board president made it clear that there was ‘no page to get on,’” Dick’s said in the statement, provided by spokeswoman Elizabeth Tommasi. 

“That response left no room for continued collaboration,” the statement said. 

Neither side elaborated publicly on what issues were in dispute.

Holtzman did not return a phone call from a Tube City Almanac reporter seeking comment.

Relationship began in 2021

The connection between Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation and the school district began in 2021, following a set of listening sessions asking parents and community members how the school district could better serve students and families.

Dick’s ultimately became involved in plans to remodel Twin Rivers, which was dubbed United at Twin Rivers in honor of the collaboration.

Founded in Binghamton, N.Y., Dick’s relocated its corporate headquarters to the Pittsburgh area in 1994.

According to tax returns filed by Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation, in 2022, the charity provided more than $1 million in direct support to the school district, including support for high school athletics, $565,000 for training programs, $120,000 for professional development and $350,000 to fund summer activities.

In 2023, according to a tax return, DSGF provided the district with $800,000 in direct support, including summer programs, and paid for $549,126 in construction work for the school district. The foundation also supported other youth-related charities in the McKeesport area, including Cash For Kids and the Men of Valor program.

A tax return for 2024 was not yet publicly available from the Internal Revenue Service. But in March of this year, an auditor reported that Dick’s contributed nearly $1 million to the district during 2024.

Foundation: Wanted to be a ‘true partner’

The statement released by Dick’s indicated that the foundation was not willing to be a silent partner, but wanted an active role in how its money was being spent.

“From the beginning, we were clear that we weren’t just looking to provide funding, we were looking to be a true partner sitting side by side with the McKeesport team to reimagine how the elementary school experience could be approached in a holistic way — one that serves the whole child, their family and the community,” the Dick’s foundation said.

“We’re incredibly grateful to the many educators, families, and community members who welcomed us and partnered with us along the way. And while this chapter is closing, we remain open to the possibility of future partnership opportunities under new leadership.”

Local officials criticize school board

The sudden end to the partnership brought sharp criticism from local elected officials, including McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko, State Sen. Nick Pisciottano, and Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, a McKeesport Area High School graduate.

Cherepko called the end of the relationship “an absolute atrocity” and laid the blame solely on Holtzman. The mayor and school board president have long been political rivals.

In a statement released via social media, Cherepko accused Holtzman with putting “his personal agenda ahead of the best interest of our children.”

“In only two short years, the Dick’s Foundation turned Twin Rivers around to the point where they were the only school in the district not on an improvement plan,” Cherepko said. “We have been trying for years to improve scores, and we finally were able to do it, and they do away with the program that made it happen! It’s truly unbelievable!”

Cherepko said he would use his influence as mayor to try to salvage the relationship between the city and the Dick’s Foundation.

Senator: ‘An irreparable break’

But State Sen. Nick Pisciottano said he had reached out to Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation and concluded the relationship with the district had suffered “an irreparable break.”

“McKeesport students will now be deprived of the innovative educational services that DSGF was providing free of charge,” Pisciottano said in a prepared statement. “We need more of these types of programs in our schools, not fewer, so I’m disappointed that McKeesport Area families will no longer have access to these critical supports through no fault of their own.”

Pisciottano said he hoped the Dick’s Foundation would support other educational organizations in the Mon Valley.

Davis issued a statement on social media calling the situation “a real disgrace.”

“This so incredibly heartbreaking and disappointing for the young people in our community,” he said.

District leaves door open for collaboration

In his statement, MacFann said the district was leaving the door open to future collaborations with Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation.

“DSGF has committed to honoring its existing obligations to our students and community through the summer,” he wrote. “We recognize the significant positive impact this program has had and will continue to explore opportunities to collaborate with DSGF in the future.”

Written by editor Jason Togyer with additional reporting from Adam Reinherz.

Originally published May 28, 2025.

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