Urban Meyer Helping With OSU Football Women’s Clinic To Support Cancer Research

http://www.thelantern.com/sports/women-to-learn-football-from-urban-meyer-support-cancer-research-1.2874806#.T8TkHL_d7lo

OSU’s first-year coach will help put on the inaugural Ohio State Football Women’s Clinic and will let ladies participate in football action. The proceeds will benefit the Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research. Spielman, the wife of former OSU linebacker Chris Spielman, died in 2009 after a prolonged battle with breast cancer. She started the fund after her initial diagnosis in 1998 to help find a cure.

Participants in the clinic on June 9 will participate in offensive, defensive and special teams presentations, as well as strength and equipment demonstrations. After stretching with strength and conditioning coach Mickey Marotti, the women will put their skills to the test with drills, relays and shoulder pad races.

Amy Halpin, football administration and special events coordinator, said the clinic will give women a special experience in OSU football.

“They get to spend the day with the coaching staff, learn the ins and outs of the game from some of the best coaches in the country, tour the facilities and really get a unique, behind-the-scenes look at the team they love,” Halpin said. “The clinic will be high energy and a lot of fun, but participants will also walk away with a lot of real football knowledge.”

The daylong event costs $75, and proceeds will benefit the Stefanie Spielman Fund,
“The effort that Chris Spielman continues to put forth on behalf of Stefanie and their breast cancer research funds at the (Arthur G.) James (Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute) is truly astounding,” OSU coach Urban Meyer said in a press release. “It is an honor to be able to contribute proceeds from our first women’s clinic to help this incredibly important cause.”

Representatives from the OSU Comprehensive Cancer Center, which includes the James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, will be at the clinic to talk about the importance of early screening and detection.

Jennifer McDonald, director of Medical Center development and alumni affairs at the James, said the clinic is an opportunity to raise awareness and support the fight against breast cancer.

“The James is really excited that the OSU football program has once again decided to do something to support the Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research,” McDonald said. “The James will also have representatives on hand to share some information about healthy eating, healthy tailgating and other things of that nature.”

The clinic will also include a live auction, and all funds raised will be donated to the James.

Ingrid Loesch, a first-year in food, agriculture and biological engineering, said she thinks $75 is a bit much for the event.

“It just sounds like a lot of advertisement to me,” Loesch said. “I don’t see anything that I would get out of it.”

Inspiration for the inaugural clinic came from the enthusiasm and dedication of female football fans, Haplin said.

“Coach Meyer realizes there is a huge fan base of Buckeye women that are just as, if not more, passionate and excited about football as men,” Haplin said. “Women fans often get overlooked, and this is an opportunity for them to have a day completely dedicated to them.”

Jamie Kanehl, a third-year in human development family sciences, said she was interested in participating in the clinic because it would be an irreplaceable opportunity for women, including OSU students.

“The opportunity to get out and learn some football from some of the best coaches in the country definitely sparked my interest. I would participate for the experience of practicing under these phenomenal coaches,” Kanehl said, “For OSU students to get to experience a practice under our own football coaches would be an unforgettable experience.”

The clinic will be held at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, and women can register at OhioStateBuckeyes.com.

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