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Fans gather to watch Buckeye victory and raise money for Lung Association

By Greg Dew
Columbus Wired Columnist
11/16/02

On a day when the Ohio State football team left fans of central Ohio figuratively gasping for breath as the game vs. Illinois extended into overtime, fans gathered at The Buckeye Hall of Fame Café to help the American Lung Association raise money to ensure those with breathing problems are not literally gasping for breath.

For the second consecutive year, the American Lung Association threw a tailgate party with the proceeds to benefit The Ohio State University, Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute.

“We are expecting 500 or so people,” said Simon Bisson, Manager of Special Projects for the American Lung Association. “It should double what we did last year and we anticipate the event to grow next year.”

A $50 ticket enabled participants to enjoy classic tailgate food and drink and enjoy the music of the Buckeye State Tailgaters. The four-man group, dressed in homage to former Ohio State football coach Woody Hayes, entertained the crowd starting approximately an hour before kick-off.

In addition to the ticket price, money was raised through a silent auction, a live auction and a raffle. Prizes were varied. The silent auction had items ranging from gift baskets, autographed pictures, balls and sticks to tickets to various events in the area.

Among those affixing their names to the auctioned items were Jim Tressel, Eddie George, Tom Cousinau and David Boston. Some of the tickets available were for games of
the Crew, the Blue Jackets and Ballet Met.

The grand prize of the live auction was tickets to next week’s Michigan game and the grand prize for the raffle were two tickets to New York City to the David Letterman Show.

The intent of the event was to combine the love of Ohio State Football with the need to raise awareness and money for the American Lung Association.

“A lot of people will show up, have a great time, bid and that will be it,” said Bisson. “Others can obtain information to become more involved or learn about our other fund raising events.”

One such event will be the third Buckeye State Tailgate already being planned for next year during the Ohio State/Michigan game. Mark your calendars as it looks to top the success of this year’s event.