Record Crowd Helps Generate Record $23,000 in Sixth Annual Connor Senn Memorial Game – Ohio State Buckeyes
5/2/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
May 2, 2007
Box Score
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A record crowd and a record dollar amount highlighted the Sixth Annual Connor Senn Memorial Game Wednesday night in Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium as the Ohio State men’s soccer team topped the Columbus Crew, 1-0.
Approximately $23,000 was generated from corporate sponsors, patrons and the 2,053 fans who saw Crew midfielder Danny O’Rourke wear No. 22 with “SENN” on the back in honor of his seven-year club soccer teammate and former Buckeye who collapsed on the field during at game at Akron in 2001 and died later night from a congenital heart defect.
O’Rourke then put the jersey into the silent auction, which helped generate the record amount for the Connor Senn Memorial Scholarship Fund that has nearly reached the $100,000 needed for it to become fully endowed.
“It’s wonderful that we were able to set a record attendance and raise as much money as we did.” John Bluem, Ohio State head coach, said. “That is what this game is all about and I am very thankful for all of the people who attended the game, for the board of directors who made this event possible and for the Columbus Crew for making this a very special event.”
Ohio State freshman Andrew Magill (Downers Grove, Ill./North) chipped in an open net goal in the 56th minute to give the Buckeyes a 1-0 lead and junior goalkeeper Casey Latchem (Perrysburg, Ohio/Perrysburg) collected four saves, including three in the second half, to make it stand as the game-winner, marking Ohio State’s first win in the series. The Crew won the first three games in the Connor Senn Memorial and the game ended in a tie the last two years.
Junior Eric Edwards (Loveland, Ohio/Milford), who scored OSU’s goal in a 1-1 tie last year in the Connor Senn Memorial Game, set up Magill’s goal with a quick drive into the top of the 18-yard box, which drew out Crew back-up goalkeeper Kenny Schoeni. Edwards dished off to his left to sophomore Scott Marguglio (Strongsville, Ohio/Strongsville), who tapped the ball to Edwards for an open look 7 yards in front of the goal.
But even for the Buckeyes, the win was overshadowed by the record amount raised for a scholarship named after one of their own.
“During the game I took a look around and it was great to see the band and the big crowd and the auction going on,” Latchem said. “It’s just great to see how many people appreciate what this game is all about. We really look forward to this game there are so many people involved that it just keep getting bigger.”
The Connor Senn Memorial Fund was established by Dr. Lance Senn, Connor’s father and a former member of the Ohio State tennis team. A native of Granville, Ohio, Connor was a freshman walk-on defender who had earned a starting position midway through the 2001 season for the defending Big Ten champion Buckeyes. He saw action in eight of 10 matches, starting five.
“We know that he was an unbelievable player, a hard worker and someone with a great attitude,” Latchem said. “Every day we are reminded of that. His picture is in our locker room and this event is a great way to remember him. Like the sign in our locker room says, `Play Like Connor Today.’ That’s what we are all about.”
### Go Bucks! ###
