Bill Foley and Vincent Viola, West Point Graduates and NHL Team Owners, Pledge to Support a Veteran Service Organization
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Saturday, June 3, 2023
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The Vegas Golden Knights and Florida Panthers announced today that team owners Bill Foley and Vincent Viola will partner to donate $100,000 at the conclusion of the 2023 Stanley Cup Final. The owner of the winning team in the series will choose a Veterans Service Organization to accept the donation from the owner of the other club.Foley and Viola are both graduates of the United States Military Academy at West Point and veterans of the United States military. Foley received his bachelor’s degree in engineering in 1967 before serving in the U.S. Air Force, where he attained the rank of captain. In 2016, Bill received the Distinguished Graduate Award from the United States Military Academy at West Point based on his character, distinguished service, and stature drawing wholesome comparison to the qualities for which West Point strives, in keeping with its motto: “Duty, Honor, Country.”
Viola received his bachelor’s degree from West Point 1977. A graduate of the U.S. Army Airborne, Air Assault, Infantry, and Ranger Schools, he served as an infantry officer in the 101st Airborne Division, and his dedication to the U.S. military additionally led to his creation of the Florida Panthers’ Heroes Among Us program, which has honored hundreds of veterans, and counting, since its inception in 2013. He also founded the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point in 2002 and the Modern War Institute at West Point in 2015.Foley selected The Folded Flag Foundation to receive a donation from Viola and the Panthers. Viola chose Gold Star Teen Adventures to receive a donation from Foley and the Golden Knights. Both non-profit organizations dedicate their efforts toward the children and families of military and law enforcement personnel who lost their lives.
The two teams will face off against each other in the Stanley Cup Final, with Game 1 opening on TNT at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET on Saturday, June 3.
ABOUT THE VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS
The Vegas Golden Knights are a National Hockey League franchise owned and operated by Black Knight Sports and Entertainment LLC. The Vegas Golden Knights were established by founding partners Bill Foley and his family and the Maloof family. The Golden Knights were the most successful expansion franchise in North American professional sports history in 2017-18 and are celebrating their fifth playoff appearance in five seasons this year. For the latest news and information on the Golden Knights visit vegasgoldenknights.com and follow the team on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.
ABOUT THE FLORIDA PANTHERS FOUNDATION
The Florida Panthers Foundation serves as the team’s main charitable beneficiary. The vision of the Florida Panthers Foundation is to make a positive philanthropic impact on the South Florida community and beyond. Through partnerships, grants, and community programs, the Foundation focuses on four priorities, including growing the sport of youth hockey, children’s health and education, veterans’ affairs and raising awareness for the endangered Florida panther. Through the Foundation, the Florida Panthers organization supports exemplary South Florida nonprofit organizations that help make a positive impact in the local community.ABOUT THE FOLDED FLAG FOUNDATION
The Folded Flag Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that provides educational scholarships and support grants to the spouses and children of the U.S. military and government personnel who died as a result of hostile action or in an accident related to U.S. combat operations.
ABOUT GOLD STAR TEEN ADVENTURES
Gold Star Teen Adventures is a 501(c)(3) that provides mentorship, leadership development, resilience training and team building for the children of our nation’s military, first responders and intelligence community who lost their lives. The program teaches critical life skills through year around adventure opportunities and facilitates healing and a return to normalcy for those coping with the sudden loss of a parent. Our objective is to help these teenagers struggling with loss become more confident and productive young adults.
