Author: Ryan Sibbio

2015 Spring Game

It’s no secret, Buckeyes love their football team.  The first taste of Ohio State football each year comes in the form of the Spring Game.  This year’s spring exhibition is the first real-game step for the Undisputed National Champions.  This annual match-up between scarlet and gray teams provides not only fun and excitement, but a first glimpse into this year’s team.

The game is set to take on place on April 18, 2015, in Ohio Stadium.  Tickets are $5 and available for purchase right here.  So, grab your best Buckeye friends and make sure to get tickets so you can check out the game!

Spring practice 2015.

Spring practice 2015.

On a day all about Buckeye pride, you have to show up looking the part.  Grab some gear to wear to the game at Barnes & Noble College in the Ohio Union!  They offer a wide selection of high-quality apparel to show your scarlet & gray colors.

In addition to the Spring Game, the fourth annual Student Appreciation Day is April 11, 2015.  Practice will be open to students and there will be food trucks, competitions, the opportunity to get your photo with the National Championship trophy and more!  Buses will transport students to the Woody Hayes Athletic Center from three campus locations, including the Ohio Union.  Full details can be found here.

Do you have a favorite memory from the 2014 season?  Please share with us in the comments!

Going Greek

Greek week logoThe sOUrce student organization spotlight is going Greek. The Ohio Union is a hub for next week’s Greek Week, an opportunity for the community to come together to celebrate, revitalize and build a sense of healthy competition among the 67 Greek organizations at Ohio State. Greek Week activities traditionally include educational, community service, and philanthropic events, as well competitive sports, to show overall collaboration and community spirit.

There are a variety of events  taking place throughout the week of April 6 – April 12.  Monday’s SOE speaker brings Ross Szabo to the Archie Griffin Ballroom.  Per CampusSpeak, Szabo is a public speaker and author who has empowered over one million people to take the first steps to achieving mental health.

2014 stroll competition

The annual Stroll Competition is Hip Hop themed and will take place Thursday, April 9 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. in the Great Hall.  Though strolling was originally developed in the NPHC organizations, the annual Stroll Competition will invite all four councils to come together and participate during Greek Week. This competition offers all of our chapters a better understanding of the Strolling culture and movements.  Proceeds from the event support BuckeyeThon and Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

This year also marks the return of the Greek Week Concert.  In conjunction with Kappa Sigma Fraternity, Huey Mack will be performing with opening acts consisting of Greek Life members.  The concert is scheduled for 5-8 p.m. on the Kappa Sigma lawn.

Greek games 2014.

Greek games 2014.

Make sure to follow @OSUGreekWeek on Twitter for the latest on the week’s events and activities!  As always, please subscribe to the sOUrce for the latest news and information.

The 37th Annual African American Heritage Festival: Upendo!

Upendo. Love: One Beat, One University.

2015 marks the 37th year of the annual African American Heritage Festival!  This year’s festival will center around the word “Upendo,” which is the Swahili word for love.  The Festival has historically been a venue of celebration, education and collaboration for African American students as well as the general student population.

Presented by the Student Life Multicultural Center and with the help of numerous other university departments, the African American Heritage Festival offers plenty of fun activities.  Please see their schedule for a full list.

The African American Heritage Festival last year (2014).

The African American Heritage Festival last year (2014).

Formerly known as the “block party,” the African American Heritage Festival began in the late 1970’s as a day for students to come together in celebration of the school year’s end.  Originally held outside the Drake Union, various venues from all areas of campus began to hold events as the popularity of the festival grew.  In fact, Keith B. Key was a driving force behind the early development and growth of the Festival.  His name now graces the Keith B. Key Center for Student Leadership and Service in the Ohio Union.

A performance at the AAHF.

A performance at the AAHF.

We’re looking forward to another year in this great Buckeye tradition! Stay connected with all the fun by following the festival on Twitter at @OSUAAHF.

If you have any questions or want to share your experience with the African American Heritage Festival, feel free to leave us a comment!

Don’t Be That Buckeye

In just a few days, countless Buckeyes will descend on Panama City Beach, Daytona Beach and many other warm destinations.  This is undoubtedly a time for relaxation and fun with friends, far away from the daily course schedule on campus.  Whether you’re traveling home, staying on campus or going on a road trip with friends, it remains important to make good decisions.  Here at The sOUrce, we have you covered with some helpful tips with an assist from Ohio State Wellness Ambassador Brandi Biddle.

O-H-I-O

O-H-I-O

For a number of students, partying is a part of spring break trips. If you are of legal drinking age, there is nothing wrong with enjoying a few drinks with your friends while on break. It is, however, not cool to finish a case of beer by yourself in one day.  The Student Wellness Center offers Party Smart.  According to Brandi, Party Smart is an online guide to make sure students are not only able to enjoy a few drinks, but also to do so safely.  Spend a few minutes checking it out before you leave or while you’re traveling.

If there’s a chance you might be sexually active on spring break, The Condom Club is offered through the Student Wellness Center. One can sign up by visiting the Wellness Center in the RPAC.  You’ll fill out some paperwork and complete a short educational assignment.  Upon completion, students can purchase 25 condoms for $5 paid with BuckID.

Another key thing to remember is what you’re putting into your body.  There is nothing wrong with enjoying pizza, especially on spring break.  However, make an effort to eat nutritious foods too when possible.  You’ll feel better having eaten something packed with nutrients.  Additionally, you can then share your delicious meal using #MyPlateOSU on social media!

Spring Break.

Spring Break is coming up.

Brandi made a few final suggestions:

  1. Make sure to always be aware of your environment so that you can make the best decisions not only for yourself, but in watching out for those around you.
  2. Make sure to drink water throughout the day to stay hydrated.
  3. Wear sunscreen!

 

Going somewhere awesome for spring break?  We’d love to hear in the comments section!

Giving Illness a Timeout

Did you know that the Ohio Union recently hosted superheroes in support of chronically ill children and their families?  The Ohio State A Kid Again Club reserved a ballroom in the Ohio Union and filled it with fun games and activities.  There were inflatable bounce houses, a table where kids could craft their own capes and masks and a series of superhero themed games.  In short, the kids got the chance to be superheroes for the day!   In the words of the club, it was a way to “give illness a giant timeout.”

A Kid Again Superheroes.

A Kid Again Superheroes.

A Kid Again is a national organization that works to provide hope, happiness and healing to families with kids suffering from chronic illnesses.  These illnesses deeply affect children and their families in nearly every facet of daily life.  The organization sponsors these families for a variety of events such as trips to theme parks, sporting events to seasonal parties.  The goal is that the child can forget about their illness for awhile and feel like a kid again!

The Ohio State A Kid Again Club focuses on supporting the Columbus chapter and on forming a campus based support system for the A Kid Again families.  Additionally, members of the organization spend time visiting children in the hospital and writing pen-pal letters.  Through these acts of kindness, they hope to bring happiness to these inspirational children and their families.

A Kid Again Superheroes.

A Kid Again Superheroes.

The Ohio State chapter accepts new members throughout the year.  Students who are interested in joining the A Kid Again Club can email akidagainosu@gmail.com to get more information and apply.  If you have a personal story about making a difference for children or helping a fellow Buckeye, we’d love to hear about it in the comments!