Beat The Odds Foundation

FACING HARDSHIP, HAVING TROUBLES, OR NEED INSPIRATION? WE’VE ALL BEEN THERE. The Beating the Odds Foundation was founded in 1990 by Rocco Scalzi, a former Altoona Pennsylvania police officer who managed to re-focus his life after a tragic incident in 1980 during his rookie year. After choosing to turn his life around despite facing many obstacles, Rocco took his message of hope to kids all across the country. He recognized how all children are at-risk to become victims of poor choices and other self-destructive behaviors. And although certain at-risk factors are easy to identify in some youth, it is impossible to predict how everyone will react when faced with hardships. So Rocco’s message to the youth of America focused on the importance of developing a never-give-up attitude. To officially kick off his inspirational organization, Rocco brought 15,000 students to Three Rivers Stadium, then-home of the Pittsburgh Steelers, to hear first-hand how other people had reached their dreams and goals despite the obstacles they faced. The first two individuals who joined Rocco that day were former Pittsburgh Steeler great and Vietnam War hero Rocky Bleier (who now serves as Co-Chairman of the Beating the Odds Foundation) and Vietnam War hero Bob Wieland. Both have remained important members of the Beating the Odds Foundation and still inspire students and adults to never give up.