Class of 2022
Milton S. Schneider (“Tony”) founded Philadelphia City Rowing in 2009 based on his passion for rowing and a vision that public high school children in Philadelphia should have the opportunity to experience the sport of rowing. PCR is a high-impact youth development organization that uses the sport of rowing to empower Philadelphia public school students to reach their greatest potential on the water, in the classroom, and in life. Tony co-founded PCR in 2009 and has served as Board Chair ever since, providing strategic guidance and support to help grow and expand their programs in order to best meet the evolving needs of young Philadelphians.
PCR’s program leverage Philadelphia’s storied history in rowing and the proven power of athletics to advance the academic achievement and overall health of students in the School District of Philadelphia. Rowing is a demanding sport that requires exceptional discipline, perseverance, and teamwork. PCR’s high-dosage, multi-faceted programs reinforce these values and help student-athletes apply them in all aspects of their lives.
In just one decade, PCR has grown from one employee and several volunteers to what it is today – a thriving organization that is on track to serve over 350 students from more than 50 Philadelphia public schools in 2022. Although 55% of PCR’s participants come from low-income households and 60% have two or more risk factors for drop-out, PCR student-athletes continue to outperform the district population in SAT scores, GPA, on-time graduation, and college acceptance. To date, 100% of PCR students have graduated on time and with plans to pursue their education or training, compared to just 69% of students in the District as a whole.
In addition to serving as the Chairman of the Board for Philadelphia City Rowing, Schneider has held numerous other leadership positions including within the Anti-Defamation League . He is currently on the inaugural board of The ADL and has served as President of the ADL Foundation as well as many other leadership positions. He is also a member of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia and is the immediate past Board Chair of Mural Arts Philadelphia. Schneider is involved with other community organizations both rowing and non-rowing related.
Schneider is an avid rower out of Vesper Boat Club where he also serves as a member of its Board of Directors. He has competed in local, national, and international competitions and is involved in various aspects of Elite rowing in Philadelphia and beyond. In 2017 he led the USA Rowing Team to the Maccabean games in Israel.
