Buckeyes Help 2nd & 7 Foundation Celebrate 10th Anniversary – Ohio State Buckeyes
9/30/2008 12:00:00 AM | General
The foundation, started by former Ohio State football players, commemorates anniversary with its first published book
by Courtney Walerius, Ohio State Athletics Communications
COLUMBUS, Ohio – It started out with a desire to give back to the Columbus community. Former Buckeyes Luke Fickell, Ryan Miller and Mike Vrabel volunteered at different events throughout the city while playing football at Ohio State and wanted to continue to make a difference in children’s lives.
They decided they would focus on the development of a life-long love of reading with second graders. Together, they would work on “Tackling Illiteracy” what would eventually become the motto of their 2nd & 7 Foundation.
The 2nd & 7 Foundation began by the founders reading and distributing books to seven groups of second graders at Columbus City Schools. Over the years, the demand for readers increased and Fickell, Miller and Vrabel decided to see if student-athletes from their alma mater could lend a hand.
“We did volunteer work in the community when I was in school,” Vrabel said. “Getting the Buckeyes involved was part of our idea when we started. It’s a good fit for us. Every school gets to have someone read to them and it helps the student-athletes feel like they are part of the community. The coaches and athletes have become as excited about the foundation as we are.”
During the 2007-08 school year, 21 Ohio State teams totaled 65 visits to Columbus City Schools’ second graders. The women’s gymnastics and women’s lacrosse teams led the way with nine visits each. The Buckeyes went to 46 schools in the area and read to over 3,100 children.
This season, the Ohio State teams have already committed to all of the 2nd & 7 Foundation dates through December, reading every Thursday and Friday at various schools.
“The partnership with Ohio State is huge,” Amy Hoying, the 2nd & 7 Foundation’s Director of Development, said. “Mike, Ryan and Luke fit in readings when they can, but part of our success is because student-athletes come out every week. We couldn’t do it without them.”
Now in its 10th year, the 2nd & 7 Foundation is entering new territory to celebrate its decade in Columbus. After handing out thousands of books all over the city, the founders decided to dive into the publishing industry themselves and write their own book.
Through the collaboration of many, The Hog Mollies and the Pickle Pie Party was written and will be the first in a series of books focusing on elements of success. The first book stresses teamwork and the importance of working together.
“It’s exciting to not only celebrate our 10th anniversary, but to have that coincide with publishing our own book,” Vrabel said. “To look at how we’ve grown is amazing. Right away, we did what we could handle. It’s been great to build on that and add to it so we are now going to every school in Columbus.”
Last Friday, West Broad Elementary School was the first group of second graders to read the new book and get copies to take home. While in Columbus on a bye-week from the New England Patriots, Vrabel read the story and handed out copies to the class. Members of the Ohio State men’s soccer and women’s hockey teams also attended the event to stress the importance of reading and working hard in school.
“Anytime you can help the community, especially being able to do it through something that former Ohio State athletes founded, is great,” Joe Moore, a junior on the men’s soccer team, said. “It’s important to give back to these kids that put us on a pedestal. We all enjoy doing it and it inspires you to go out and do more.”
More information about the 2nd & 7 Foundation is available at: www.secondandseven.com.
