The Buckeye Cruise for Cancer is non-profit organization that supports the Urban & Shelley Meyer Fund for Cancer Research and The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute.
It was formed in 2008 as the collaborative effort of Lisa Cisco and Stefanie Spielman. They envisioned a way to celebrate those battling and beating cancer, while raising money and awareness. Knowing that Buckeye Nation was one of the only fan bases that could fill an entire cruise ship, they proceeded to tackle a monumental task. Only eight years later, the 2015 Buckeye Cruise was able to raise over $2 million.
After the 2007 football season, Bobby and his now wife Cortney returned from Dallas, Texas to their home in Columbus to see friends and spend the offseason. While having dinner with friends and former teammates, it was Laura Hawk who pitched the concept of what the Buckeye Cruise could be to some of her husband’s (AJ Hawk) former teammates. Laura went to high school with Lisa’s daughter and they thought that it would be a great idea to involve former Ohio State athletes to help elevate the experience.
Buckeye Nation is strong and everyone that evening agreed to participate and help any way they could. Through the changing of NFL teams, pregnancies and multiple moves, Bobby and Cortney only missed one cruise. It was due to the pending birth of their daughter, McClain.
Cancer affects nearly everyone in some way and Bobby and Cortney are no different. Cortney lost her aunt at an early age to breast cancer. In the spring of 2014 their three-year-old daughter McClain was diagnosed with a Ganglioneuroblastoma. She has a successful surgery, in which the tumor was completey resected. After a few days in the hospital and year of quarterly CT Scans, she was given a clean bill of health.
Bobby has continued to increase his involvement by helping Chris Quinn and Lisa Cisco with their marketing and fundraising efforts. In 2016 the Buckeye Cruise increased the size of their boat to nearly 3,400 passengers. With this increase Bobby and Anthony Schlegel have been instrumental in creating and identifying new events and potential marketing opportunities for cruisers and sponsors.
The Buckeye Cruise is a unique event that unites Buckeye fans of all ages and engages former athletes of from the 1960’s to the present. Alumni, fan, and former players all interact for a remarkable experience that you have to attend to understand. It has grown more than anyone could have imagined with a variety of events throughout the year ranging from the Buckeye 4 Miler to Bowling with the Buckeyes to Corn Hole with Scoonie Penn to name a few.
TESTIMONIALS
“Bobby's message is heartfelt, and he is committed to helping and understands the importance of giving back to the community!"
~ 2015 James Ambassador Society Gala
“Passionate, exciting, committed and an inspiration - what a speaker!”
~ Chris Quinn, Buckeye Cruise for Cancer
"Bobby Carpenter would be my 'First round Draft Pick' on 'Paying it Forward' Bobby has done anything we have asked for the Buckeye Cruise for Cancer. He has appeared in many of our radio, TV and print ads. A class act, on and off the field."
~ Lisa Cisco, Founder of the Buckeye Cruise for Cancer
2ND AND 7 FOOTBALL CAMP
The 2nd & 7 Foundation is a non-profit organization based in Columbus, Ohio. Three former Ohio State University football players, Luke Fickell, Ryan Miller and Mike Vrabel, started the foundation in 1999. Inspired by their involvement in various community outreach programs as student athletes, they decided to continue making a difference by promoting literacy and providing positive role models for children in central Ohio.
The foundation was born from funds generated by the first annual FUNdamental football camp. The camp generated enough money to buy books to hand out to seven different second grade classrooms. Bobby began his commitment to the foundation in 2003 while coaching at the camp. Since then, he has assisted at camp every year contributing in a variety of ways. Using a down & distance term used in football, the foundation became known as The 2nd & 7 Foundation.
After years of distributing donated books, the foundation began writing its own. Consisting of four reoccurring characters, The Hogmollies teach children a variety of important life lessons while always having a fabulous time together.
Since 1999, The 2nd & 7 Foundation has continued to extend its reach and now involves student-athletes from The Ohio State University. As a student athlete at Ohio State, Bobby became involved with the reading program while in school. Since both of his parents are teachers, he understands the importance of literacy development at an early age.
As the foundation has continued to grow and expand, the need for help has increased. Bobby became an event committee member in early 2015 and was instrumental in the planning and preparation of the foundation’s longest running event, the 2nd & 7 Pool Tournament as well as its newest event, The Derby Party. It commences every spring and provides it own unique challenges to ensure it is a first rate event.