Buckeyes Host Seventh Annual Ohio Collegiate Charity Classic This Weekend – Ohio State Buckeyes
10/3/2007 12:00:00 AM | Softball
13-team tournament benefits the Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research
COLUMBUS, Ohio – In what is annually one of the biggest fundraisers in Central Ohio for breast cancer research, the Ohio State softball team hosts the Seventh Annual Ohio Collegiate Charity Classic this Saturday and Sunday at Ohio State’s Fred Beekman Park. A total of 13 teams will compete in the event, which benefits the Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research at the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute.
The complete tournament schedule is available below.
Last year the tournament was rained out, however in 2005 the event raised a tournament-record $20,000 thanks in part to the continued support of the Ohio Troopers Coalition, which again this year has already pledged $7,500.
“We are looking forward to hosting the Ohio Collegiate Charity Classic and are thrilled to have the sponsorship of the Ohio Troopers Coalition,” Linda Kalafatis, Ohio State head coach, said. “The 13 teams involved and their fans are what really make this a successful event. The tournament continues to give each of the coaches and athletes an opportunity to showcase their teams while also bringing the importance of breast cancer research to the softball community in our home state of Ohio.”
“This event speaks volumes of the character of the Ohio State softball program,” Jen McDonald with The James Cancer Hospital said. “I know Stefanie greatly enjoys this event and everything the university does for the fund. Their support to the hospital has been tremendous and their event is one of the Top 10 fundraisers for the fund in our community each year. They are truly making a difference in cancer research.”
Vendors such as Sodexho, Coke and Roosters will help make the 2007 OCCC not only an entertaining and competitive event, but one that will bring cancer research awareness to the community.
“October kicks off breast cancer awareness month and with the cooperation of the teams, officials, fans, vendors, and some great volunteers, we hope that the Charity Classic will again contribute thousands to the Stefanie Spielman Fund,” Kalafatis said. “And as always, we’re so grateful to the umpires who donate their time and to our OSU grounds crew who always takes care of us and makes this a first-class event. It’s a can’t-miss’ opportunity to see the best softball in Ohio.”
The large-school bracket this year boasts 7 of the 11 Division I programs in Ohio, including Bowling Green, Kent State, Miami, Ohio, Ohio State, Toledo and Wright State. In the small-school bracket are Ashland, Findlay, Kenyon, Tiffin, Wittenberg and Wooster.
Fred Beekman Park is an eight-field complex located west of State Route 315 at Lane Avenue. Concessions will be available from the Central Ohio Coaches Association and bleacher seating is limited. Admission to the event will be a $5 donation and all proceeds go directly to the charity. Notably, all of the umpires for this event are donating their time.
Spielman and her husband, former All-Pro NFL linebacker and OSU standout, Chris Spielman, established the Stefanie Spielman Fund. The couple pledged to raise $1 million for breast cancer research at the Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute at The Ohio State University. The goal has been surpassed, but the Spielman’s continue the fight against breast cancer. For information, please log on to the Stephanie Spielman Fund website at www.jamesline.com.
SEVENTH ANNUAL OHIO COLLEGIATE CHARTIY CLASSIC
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE OCT 6-7, 2007
Saturday, Oct. 6
1 p.m.
Field 1: Ohio State 9, Ohio 5
Field 2: Wright State 12, Ashland 5
Field 3: Kent State 5, Bowling Green 4
3 p.m.
Field 1: Ohio State 4, Bowling Green 2
Field 2: Ohio 7, Ashland 3
Field 3: Wright State 3, Kent State 0
Sunday, Oct. 7
Noon
Field 1: Ohio 9, Bowling Green 0
Field 2: Ohio State 6, Toledo 1
Field 3: Wright State 4, Miami 0
Field 4: Kenyon 8, Tiffin 1
Field 5: Findlay 14, Wooster 1
Field 6: Ashland 5, Wittenberg 1
2 p.m.
Field 1: Kent State 12, Miami 6
Field 2: Toledo 7, Ohio 5
Field 3: Bowling Green 2, Wright State 0
Field 4: Ashland 3, Kenyon 1
Field 5: Tiffin 4, Wooster 1
Field 6: Wittenberg 8, Findlay 2
4 p.m.
Field 1: Ohio State 4, Kent State 0
Field 2: Wright State 6, Toledo 5
Field 3: Ashland 17, Wooster 0
Field 4: Findlay 8, Kenyon 0
Field 5: Tiffin 4, Wittenberg 3
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Contact: Tim Stried, stried.3@osu.edu
