On Saturday, July 22nd, the Southern Ohio Copperheads are partnering with The Joe Burrow Foundation to raise money for the underprivileged and underserved in Athens and southeastern Ohio. The Copperheads will host the Grand Lake Mariners in a “Double Cheader” for its annual Community Night Presented by OUCU Financial. The teams will play two 7-inning contests, with the first pitch of game one taking place at 5:15pm at Bob Wren Stadium in Athens, OH.
The community-owned, student-operated Southern Ohio Copperheads will donate $1 to The Joe Burrow Foundation for every fan who shows up to Bob Wren Stadium wearing Athens Bulldogs, LSU, or Bengals apparel. In addition, the team plans to host an in-game auction with proceeds going back to support The Joe Burrow Foundation. Lastly, the Copperheads encourages its local community partners and fans who have the financial means to donate to The Joe Burrow Foundation in honor of the Southern Ohio Copperheads.
The Joe Burrow Foundation works to help children with mental illness and those experiencing food insecurity while providing support and resources to underprivileged people and communities in a variety of other ways. The foundation works primarily with communities in Athens, Baton Rouge, and Cincinnati. All places that Joe has called “home” throughout his life.
Charlie Clegg, the student General Manager of the Copperheads, played an instrumental role in the start of this partnership. Often referred to as a “Triple Cheader,” Clegg has worked with the team for three summers. In his history with the team, this is one of the most exciting community partnerships to date.
He commented, “The Copperheads are honored to partner with The Joe Burrow Foundation for our final home game this Saturday. Giving back to the children of this community and supporting the underprivileged and underserved is what we do,” he continued, “Partnering with JBF on the Copperheads annual Community Night makes perfect sense. I, along with my fellow staff members, could not be more excited this partnership is happening.”
The initiatives that The Joe Burrow Foundation works towards are consistent with the values and work of the Southern Ohio Copperheads. Sadie Rudduck, the Director of Community Outreach for the Copperheads, has planned and participated in over 30 community outreach events throughout her internship. She believes the partnership with The Joe Burrow Foundation has the potential to bring some of the biggest change to Athens and the surrounding communities.
Rudduck added, “The Copperheads are excited for the partnership with The Joe Burrow Foundation because of how well they closely align with each other’s key values. I am especially looking forward to seeing the two organizations bring the community of southern Ohio together. I believe there is the potential for this to be one of the most successful community partnerships in the southeastern Ohio region.”
The Copperheads Annual Community Night Presented by OUCU Financial on July 22 will also feature post-game fireworks, the 3rd Annual Hot Dot Eating Contest sponsored by Larry’s Dawg House, a Birthday Party for the Copperheads oldest fan, and many other activities.
The Southern Ohio Copperheads is a community-owned, student-operated 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Established in 2002, the Copperheads is a summer collegiate wooden bat baseball team that competes in the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League and plays its home games at Bob Wren Stadium in Athens, OH. The Copperheads organization strives to provide the most affordable means of family-friendly outdoor entertainment in southeast OH. Tickets to Copperheads games are $5 and children under the age of five receive free admission. Staffed by Ohio University students, the Southern Ohio Copperheads also serve as a “learning lab” for student interns looking to work in the sport and entertainment industry.
