September 16, 2009 – Athletics

Photo courtesy of Microsoft Office Online

Ohio Wesleyan Seeks School Supplies
Items sought in lieu of admission to support local families

Ohio Wesleyan University opens its home football season on Saturday when the Battling Bishops take on Wooster at 1 p.m. at Selby Field.

There will be no admission charge, but in lieu of admission, Ohio Wesleyan and Wooster fans are asked to donate a school supplies item to support local families in need, said Ohio Wesleyan athletics director Roger Ingles.

“There are families in Delaware that need all the help they can get with school supplies, especially with the economy just coming out of tough times,” Ingles says.

The Ohio Wesleyan Athletic Committee (OWAC) will be collecting the school supplies, assisted by the Battling Bishops’ cheerleaders. Suggested items include calculators (a big item needed), pens and pencils, tissues, notebooks, school glue, dividers, and folders. Money also is a welcome donation if there is an item needed and not donated. Donations will be primarily for elementary and junior high school students, while the rest will go to teachers and high school students.

Last year, Ohio Wesleyan eliminated charging admission for most regular-season contests, and the effect on fan support led Ingles to continue that practice into the 2009-10 academic year.

“It had a positive impact on increasing the size of our crowds and the enthusiasm at our events, which in turn makes for a more positive experience for our student-athletes,” Ingles says.

As before, North Coast Athletic Conference tournaments and NCAA Division III championship events require paid admission.

– Danielle Rubinstein-Towler ’13