Funds established for the baseball team's student-athletes involved in a fatal charter bus accident March 2

March 26, 2007
Baseball/OSU Contact: Jeff Wuerth (614-247-5232 / wuerth.1@osu.edu)

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Ohio State University Department of Athletics announced Monday the gate proceeds from the Buckeyes' baseball home opener Wednesday will go to two funds established for the Bluffton University baseball team. The Buckeyes take on Toledo at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Bill Davis Stadium.

The proceeds will go to the two funds established for the Bluffton baseball team's student-athletes involved in a fatal charter bus accident March 2 in Atlanta. The bus was on its way to Florida for the team's first games of the 2007 season. Five student-athletes, Zachary Arend (Oakwood, Ohio), David Betts (Bryan, Ohio), Scott Harmon (Lima, Ohio), Cody Holp (Arcanum, Ohio), Tyler Williams (Lima, Ohio) and the bus driver, Jerome Niemeyer, and his wife, Jean Niemeyer, both of Columbus Grove, Ohio, were killed in the accident.

"It's such a tragedy," Bob Todd, Ohio State head coach said. "I've been in the front seat of a bus many times and it easily could have been me and Ohio State. Anything we can do at all to try and help ease the pain is the right thing to do. Our thoughts and prayers are with those young men and their families."

There are two separate funds that have been established, one that will provide support for the student-athletes and one to create a lasting campus memorial. Below is the information on both funds.

TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE STUDENT ATHLETES

A fund has been established at Citizens National Bank for the Bluffton University baseball team student-athletes. Contributions can be made by check payable to Bluffton University and mailed to Citizens National Bank, 102 S. Main Street, Bluffton, Ohio 45817. Please note "Baseball Team" in the check's memo line. Credit card contributions can be made by calling 419-358-3324 during the university's business hours. Funds will be available to the baseball players involved in the accident and their families.

TO ESTABLISH A LASTING MEMORIAL

A Bluffton University fund has also been established to create a lasting campus memorial. Contributions can be made by check payable to Bluffton University and mailed to 1 University Drive, Bluffton, Ohio 45817-2104.  Please note "Baseball Team Memorial" in the check's memo line. If giving online, please select the option "other" for the designation and type in "baseball memorial."