United Way’s ‘Champions Among Us’ event features gridiron great as keynote speaker

The Vindicator/William D. Lewis

PRACTICE ROUND: Hoping to sink a putt as he practices for the United Way Golf Outing to take place Aug. 6, Buzz Pishkur, United Way campaign chairman, is joined by JoAnn Stock, marketing director; Dana Balash, WFMJ-TV sports director and golf outing master of ceremonies; and Garry Mrozek, committee member.

YOUNGSTOWN — United Way of Youngstown and Mahoning Valley has scheduled a two-day fund-raising event that will feature former Ohio State University football standout Archie Griffin.

The two-time Heisman Trophy winner will be the keynote speaker for the third annual “Champions Among Us” dinner at 6 p.m. Aug. 5 at Mr. Anthony’s in Boardman.

“The Three D’s of Success” will be the theme of Griffin’s presentation, as he chronicles the days of high school football and times with OSU coach Woody Hayes that led to his present-day activities.

Included in the evening will be a silent and a live auction for such items as autographed sports memorabilia, tickets and gift certificates.

Tickets are $50 per person, and reservations are required.

Day Two

On Aug. 6, the 19th annual United Way Golf Outing will take place at Youngstown Country Club, where a continental breakfast at 7:30 a.m. will be followed by the scramble with a shotgun start at 9.

There will be team and skill prizes and a putting contest, and the day will conclude with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and an awards ceremony.

The cost for a foursome of $1,000 includes green fees, cart and participation in the day’s events. In addition, each golfer will receive an OSU “Buckeye Tradition” print by local artist Ray Simon and personally autographed by Griffin.

Dinner and golf packages and sponsorship opportunities are available. Reservations for both events can be made by contacting the United Way office at (330) 746-8494.

Biography

Griffin is a member of the College National Football Foundation Hall of Fame, the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame, OSU Sports Hall of Fame and the Columbus Public Schools Hall of Fame.

He is the only two-time winner of the prestigious Heisman Trophy, was a three-time All American and is only the second athlete to be named Most Valuable Football Player in the Big Ten for two straight years. He was also named College Football Player of the Year by both the United Press International and the Sporting News.

He earned a degree in industrial relations at OSU and returned to his alma mater in 1984, where he accepted the position of special assistant to the director of athletics in 1985, was named assistant director of athletics in 1987 and became associate director of athletics in 1994, for which his duties included overseeing 16 sports. In 2004 Griffin became president of OSU Alumni Association.