Happy New Year Buckeye’s!
What a great time we had watching OSU win the ROSE BOWL at Mullen’s! Congratulations to the 2009 Ohio State Buckeye’s - Rose Bowl Champions! Something only 6 other teams in the history of OSU have done!
First of all, I want to thank all of you who attended gamewatches at Mullen’s, and Bar 2132. Without your support during the entire season, we wouldn’t have had all the fun and we wouldn’t have two great restaurant’s opening their doors to us. I want to take this opportunity to thank our club VP’s, Shawn Rosensteel and Alison Bruns, for helping run the game watches and working on our raffle. Also, I want to say it has been a pleasure meeting many of you, and making new friends at the game watches. I lived in Pittsburgh for 6 years before I even realize there was a club here, and I used to watch the OSU games alone. Now, I get to watch it with 100-150 buckeye fans at some game watches. It has been one of the most rewarding experiences since I have moved here.
I also want to thank Tom Novotny (Treasurer) and Matt Neifer and Peggy Drake (Secretary’s) for their help throughout the season when I wasn’t in town and helping out on game day. I couldn’t have done it all without your help. Tom does an excellent job of keeping the books, and Matt and Peggy are always there for an idea, or to help when I need them.
I want to thank my College Fair Volunteer (and Dessert Reception Lead Volunteer) Susan Dismukes, for helping to promote Ohio State at local high schools throughout the year. Susan also helps with other leadership activities. Your efforts are a big reason why Ohio State is actively looking at the Pittsburgh area for more students. We couldn’t do the number of college fairs without your support. You have also helped with some of the functions I know I should be doing but haven’t been able to due to having two children under 3 1/2 at home! Thank you so MUCH!
I want to thank our Scholarship Team Leader, Hilary Taylor, who put hours into reading all of the entries, scoring them and making the tough decision on our winner. We’ve been able to award three $1200 scholarship each of the last few years. I do not have the list of who all volunteered to help her to this, but I will be sure to follow up and say thanks.
Thanks to Katie McEowen, who has helped with our social events such as Kareokee night, and Walk for Life. These were also great events where we got to meet and have fun with people that are Pittsburgh Buckeyes! It was a great way to make new friends
Lastly, let me say thank you again to the people who have come out to support our club each week. Many people are there almost EVERY week - whether we are playing New Mexico State, or Michigan.
It is often easy to stay home and watch the games. But coming out to the gamewatches with fellow fans makes the experience so much more fun. We will be sending information on some gamewatches for Buckeye Basketball games. I think we have about 9 games planned for basketball game watches. I’m discussing with the officers now about which games we’ll get together for during the remainder of the season and for the Big Ten and NCAA Tournament.
Also, I want to thank the many fans and alumni who entered the raffle and 50/50 drawings thoughout the year. These are our biggest source of income and help support the running of the club, paying for college fair registration fees and providing funds for our scholarship fund.
Lastly, let me say, I hope I didn’t leave anyone out as far as “thanks” are concerned. The club is way too much work for one person, and I could not do it without the help of the other volunteers. Thanks again, and I am sorry if I did not recognize you in this entry. This is all volunteer work, and people who work the club don’t get paid a dime - it’s out of love for The Ohio State University. I truly appreciate those who support it!
Scott Schoonover, President
OSU Alumni Club of Greater Pittsburgh
