The University of Akron Athletics
Zips Visit Children's Hospital
April 09 | Baseball
The University of Akron baseball team partnered up with
conference-rival Kent State to visit patients at the Akron
Children's Hospital Monday afternoon in an effort to spread
goodwill in the community they compete in.
Players, coaches and mascots from both schools handed out
baseballs, T-shirts, posters and signed autographs for the
recovering patients ranging in age from infant to teen.
"Today's visit to the hospital was, most importantly, a great
opportunity for our guys to try to lift the spirits of kids who are
less fortunate than us," UA head coach Pat Bangtson said. "But it
was also a great experience for our players. For as important
baseball is to our guys, getting the chance to meet with children
in that type of situation certainly puts things in perspective.
Overall, it was a great experience and was for a great cause."
Joining Bangtson at the event were a host of UA players, including
seniors
Charlie Lenhard (Columbus,
Ohio/Upper Arlington) and
Billy McKinney (Loveland,
Ohio/Kings), juniors
Tom
Farmer (Berea, Ohio/Berea),
Kurt Davidson (North
Canton, Ohio/Hoover),
Garrett Knoll (Amherst,
Ohio/Amherst Steele) and
Doug McNulty (Homer City,
Pa./Homer-Center), and sophomores
Jeremy Goldizen (Perry,
Ohio/Perry),
Ryne Romick (Hannibal,
Ohio/Hannibal River) and
Frank Turocy (Canfield,
Ohio/Canfield).
Zippy, the UA mascot, was a particularly popular guest with the
youngsters.
Monday's hospital visit was just the first step in a fund-raising
initiative between the Zips and Golden Flashes for the Akron
Children's Hospital. Akron and Kent State will play in the
inaugural Diamond Classic for Kids on
April 24 at 6 p.m. at Canal Park. Tickets for the exciting event
are $10 for adults and $5 for youths. Current UA and KSU students
with valid ID may also purchase tickets for $5. All proceeds will
go to the hospital.
Tickets can be purchased in person at the UA ticket office in James
A. Rhodes Arena or by calling 1-888-99AKRON.
The Zips (14-8) will open a five-game homestand on Tuesday with
Pittsburgh at 3 p.m. at Lee Jackson Field. On Wednesday,
Akron will host Youngstown State Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Canal Park,
which is a change of time and location from previous
schedules. The homestand continues with a three-game
series against Mid-American Conference West Division-foe Central
Michigan this weekend. UA will play the Chippewas Friday at 3 p.m.,
Saturday at 1 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. at Lee Jackson Field.
The Diamond Classic for Kids is one of four meetings between the
two rival schools this season. Akron will also host Kent State at
Lee Jackson Field on the weekend of May 11th-13th in three MAC
match-ups.
