The Ohio State men's basketball team has been making a lasting impact on the lives of young people in their community. Through partnerships with organizations like the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Ohio and LifeTown Columbus, the Buckeyes have been engaging with middle and high school students, as well as children with special needs, in meaningful ways that go beyond the court.
Empowering the Next Generation Through Mentorship and Community Outreach
Connecting with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Ohio
The Ohio State men's basketball team recently hosted a group of 21 middle and high school students from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Ohio for a guided tour of the team's facilities at Value City Arena. The students had the opportunity to watch the tail end of a practice session and then mingle with the 2024-25 Buckeyes on the court. This event was part of an ongoing partnership between the university, the Boys & Girls Clubs, and THE Foundation, the primary collective serving the men's basketball program."We support the student-athletes and then they give back to the community so it's not just, 'Here's a check, go play well,'" said THE Foundation board member and co-founder Brian Schottenstein. "They're still learning a lot about giving back to the community."The students were thrilled to have the chance to step onto the Buckeyes' home court and interact with the players. One young boy, clad in a blue shirt and gray sweatpants, even challenged Ohio State sophomore center Austin Parks to a friendly one-on-one matchup, showcasing his confidence and determination.
Inspiring Children at LifeTown Columbus
The Buckeyes' community outreach efforts also extended to LifeTown Columbus, a unique facility that teaches essential life skills to more than 2,000 students annually through a simulated city environment. Five Ohio State players, including Aaron Bradshaw, Ques Glover, Meechie Johnson Jr., Micah Parrish, and Sean Stewart, spent about an hour hanging out with roughly 60 children from Columbus City Schools at LifeTown."When they see you, they see hope," said Rabbi Areyah Kaltmann, who told the players that their presence could help the children reach their full potential. The Buckeyes embraced this opportunity, with Bradshaw in particular making a lasting impression on the students.Bradshaw spent time coloring with a young girl in a hijab, engaged with wheelchair-bound children, and even shared a warm hug with a bespectacled little girl who ran to embrace him. "When that little girl hugged me, that touched my heart a little bit," Bradshaw said. "Knowing I've got that impact and knowing a smile can make a kid's day makes me cry a little bit."
Fostering Connections and Spreading Positivity
The Buckeyes' visits to the Boys & Girls Clubs and LifeTown Columbus were not just about providing a tour or a brief interaction. The players took the time to genuinely connect with the students, offering their time, attention, and a genuine sense of care and support.Sean Stewart, for example, found himself pressed into impromptu traffic cop duty, instructing a child on a bike to wait for a red light to change. Though the child ultimately rode through the red light, Stewart's efforts to ensure the child's safety demonstrated the players' commitment to looking out for the well-being of the young people they encountered."It means a lot to help these kids and give back to the community," Stewart said.The Buckeyes' community outreach efforts have left a lasting impression on the students they've interacted with. As one player, Aaron Bradshaw, eloquently stated, "Regardless of who you is, you've always got a shot to be a friend in my heart. I feel like when I seen the kids faces and I saw them smiling, it made me want to talk to them more. They're so adorable, bro. These kids are amazing."Through these meaningful interactions, the Ohio State men's basketball team is not only inspiring the next generation but also fostering a sense of community and empowerment that extends far beyond the court.
