TicketsJune 23, 2011
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By Megan Roehm
GoBEARCATS.com
Megan Roehm, a rising senior at UC and a GoBEARCATS.com intern, attended the Women's Football Clinic presented by Lebanon Ford on June 21, 2011 and offers this first-hand account of her experience.
The unpredictable and stormy Cincinnati weather didn't stop 247 women from flooding the floors of the Linder Center on June 21, 2011 for the University of Cincinnati's Sixth Annual Women's Football Clinic presented by Lebanon Ford.
Proceeds from the clinic will go to the Barrett Cancer Research Center and this year's 247 participants is a new record for the event at UC.
This year was my first time participating in the event and although the weather kept us out of Nippert Stadium, I was far from disappointed in the experience. From the moment I picked up my nametag at the check-in tables, I could feel the energy and excitement from all of the women, and despite the last-minute adjustments, everything was organized and on track.
There was plenty of food available including sandwiches, salad, chips and desserts provided by Panera and a variety of beverages to choose from as well. We all leisurely filed into the auditorium to enjoy dinner and socialize, while football videos played in the background before the event began. Just within that first hour, I met some amazing women. Some were new attendees and some were returning from previous years; some women came with friends and family members while others came unaccompanied, but everyone was a friend by the end of the evening.
While we waited, we had the opportunity to go outside for a football toss, and for each ball that was thrown through the holes, Lebanon Ford donated another $10 to the Barrett Cancer Center. Just from the toss (no thanks to my lack of throwing skills), another $420 was raised.
The clinic officially began when host Barb Jones, the wife of UC head coach Butch Jones, introduced herself and the event. We were also introduced to the rest of the coaching staff, along with their families, which immediately made everyone feel closer to the football program, which is just what Leslie Wenert, Assistant AD, Promotions & Special Events, who runs the clinic, wanted to happen.
"When we do an event like this, we want to make sure we meet the objectives which are to raise money for charity, increase the awareness of our Bearcat football program, educate the ladies on the game of football and have a lot of fun," Wenert said. "We reached all of our goals this year and overall, I think it went great!"
After the introductions, we split into our teams and moved to different stations. My group, Team Lucy, began in the team meeting room, where we received a Redshirt Freshman Playbook, along with a lesson on offense and defense. The coaching staff was there to explain what each of them coach and what those players do. One thing I learned was every coach sees his position as being the "most athletic, best looking, and smartest" group of guys on the field. Good to know. The coaches were funny, helpful, and very informative, while treating all of the women with a lot of respect.
After our lesson, we visited the team lounge, where a few of the players were watching TV, playing pool, and using the computers. From there, we saw the locker room, which most women got a kick out of. Cameras were flashing everywhere, and there was a lot of chatter and giggling. The team's athletic trainer, Bob Mangine, then talked to us about nutrition and workouts he uses with the players, which was interesting to hear as well. We even got a snack in the "fuel station" when we finished.
One of the most interesting stations was one where we heard from Keri Thoman, the Athletics Academic Advisor, and Milo Austin, the Director of Player Development. We know how good our players are on the field, but to see how seriously they take school and their involvement in the community makes them even more impressive.
By this time, all of the women were feeling more and more involved and knowledgeable about the Bearcat football program. We saw everything behind the scenes, and learned about the game straight from the coaches. What more could we ask for?
How about prizes and a fashion show from the players themselves? Yes, we got that too. We went back to the auditorium where raffle prizes were given out, along with winners from the silent auction. Next up was what all of the ladies were waiting for. Several of the players hammed it up as they came down the aisles of the auditorium strutting their stuff. The staff and the players were great sports the whole time, and the women were having a blast.
To wrap things up, everyone left with a gift bag containing a T-shirt, a team photo taken of all of the women in the beginning of the night, and other fun prizes, along with a much better understanding of the game.
Barb Jones, who hosted the event for the second time, thought it was a great success.
"The weather kind of put a damper on the events outside, but all in all I think everyone made the best of it," she said. "I love being a part of this because I think it is a lot of fun and for a great cause."
Jones said she has had three friends that have had breast cancer, as well as her grandmother, so it means a lot to her to be able to contribute.
Fellow Team Lucy member and breast cancer survivor, Josie Shuler, also sees the event as a success, and she said she actually didn't even like football until she came to the clinic.
"I hated football before I came here last year, but when I heard the clinic was for the Barrett Cancer Center, I wanted to contribute," Shuler said. "Now I love it and I look forward to coming here every year!"
Shuler, who had breast cancer in 2008 and again in 2010, is now cancer-free, and still very willing to raise money for breast cancer research.
"I think it is good for daughters, mothers and grandmothers to come to this event because it is so fun and for a great cause," she said.
While it's not her only reason for running this event, raising money for breast cancer hits home for Wenert as well.
"My mom is a breast cancer survivor so this is really important to me," she said. "I've donated my hair three times to Pantene Beautiful Lengths and being able to do this too is very special."
I think most women at the clinic, including myself, can relate. The ladies at this event were there not just to have fun, but also to help raise money for breast cancer, and everyone there achieved both. This experience was great in so many ways. Being able to have fun, meet people, and learn something, all for a good cause is something you can't always find. I am looking forward to coming back, along with many of these women, next year.