YSU wide receiver partners with The Rich Center for Autism

Max Tomczak, wide receiver for the YSU football team, partnered with The Friends of The Rich Center for Autism during the Penguins 2024 season.

His willingness to learn about autism and interact with students, families and staff of The Rich Center has had a profound impact by generating awareness throughout campus and the community.

“Anytime we have someone with a genuine interest in learning about The Rich Center and what autism is helps us achieve our mission,” Community Engagement Coordinator Jake Ellis said. “It’s especially helpful when someone like Max comes along and is willing to use his visibility to help put The Rich Center in the limelight.”

Max Tomczak has been having a breakout year as Youngstown State’s best receiver tallying more than 800 yards and 60 receptions through only 11 games. However, this fall he decided to make some contributions off the field as well.

“I came to The Rich Center and learned so much about the kids and what autism is,” Tomczak said. “I got to know them each personally as individuals. It was nice to be able to come to The Rich Center and have the kids want to play with me and spend time with me. It was like for once I wasn’t just a football player.”

Tomczak wore a custom designed pair of cleats during the Penguins final home game against Northern Iowa on November 16. The shoes were decorated with puzzle pieces, the number 4 (Tomczak’s number), and The Rich Center for Autism’s name.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled with how Max has established himself as part of The Rich Center family,” Ellis said. “He’s been a nearly weekly visitor to the Center and has spent time having lunch with our students, playing with them on the playground, joining them in their classrooms and has been a tremendous advocate for creating awareness and understanding of autism.”

It is The Rich Center’s hope that with the help of student-athlete ambassadors such as Max, the Center can continue to provide services to those in the Youngstown region and be a resource for all of Ohio.

This collaboration is possible through the efforts from donors to The Friends of The Rich Center for Autism, a 501(c)(3) that strives to raise funds, promote and support the center.

About The Rich Center For Autism
The Rich Center for Autism was established in 1995 through the collaborative efforts of the Kosar, Rich (Ricchiuti), and Rubino families who have a shared interest in autism. The Rich Center for Autism, a component of the Youngstown State University Beeghly College of Liberal Arts, Social Sciences, & Education, fulfills the mission to prepare educators, medical specialists and other professionals ines for teaching and caring for those on the autism spectrum; to increase knowledge base through the promotion of scholary research; and to provide public service and advocacy on behalf of those affected by autism. The Rich Center for Autism has no geographic boundary and accepts children of all socio-economic backgrounds and cultures. Children are enrolled in the programs regardless of their caregivers’ ability to pay. Referral, treatment, and support are provided at no cost to families.