A New York Yankees legend is making a big pitch for education.

Mariano Rivera has created a scholarship fund that will help a local teen go to the College of New Rochelle.

Tiffany Tavarez, 18, of the Bronx, is the first to receive the Mariano Rivera Scholarship, and the first in her family to attend college. The freshman started classes at the College of New Rochelle this week. Tavarez has received praise for academic excellence, while being involved in church and community activities. "My parents are very close to Mariano, and he heard that I was struggling with college and he didn't want me to miss a semester or miss a whole year, so he decided that I should have a scholarship," says Tavarez.

At the ceremony, Rivera joked the advice he gave to the teenager. "You have an opportunity to shine, and take advantage of this do your best. I also said, no boyfriends."