Ohio State hosts "CPS Day" on Wednesday

The Ohio State University is joining with Columbus Public Schools (CPS) for "CPS Day" on Wednesday (5/16). Nearly 3,000 sixth-graders from 30 Columbus Public Schools will travel to campus for an educational pep rally at 10 a.m. in Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium followed by a sold-out Buckeye baseball game vs. North Florida at 12:05 p.m. at Bill Davis Stadium.

CPS Day is designed to show young students the opportunities for and advantages of higher education and the importance of staying in school.

The sixth-graders, who met criteria set by their schools, will be welcomed to campus at the pep rally by the Ohio State cheerleaders, Brutus Buckeye and members of the Ohio State band. They'll see a demonstration by members of the ROTC on the importance of fitness and education, and hear from CPS alums and current OSU students, as well as Gene Harris, Superintendent of Columbus Public Schools.

After lunch at the stadium, the first pitch will be thrown out by a student and Marvenia E. Bosley, deputy superintendent of CPS. Other students will act as public address announcers and guest reporters.

CPS developed a curriculum oriented around baseball, which includes the history of baseball, knowledge of the game, baseball statistics and biographies of players. The curriculum also encompasses music classes and art classes, and a contest to design the baseball game program cover.

In the case of inclement weather, the pep rally will take place in the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.

WHAT:CPS Day at Ohio State

WHEN: Wednesday (5/16) Pep Rally is at 10 a.m. and baseball game is at noon

WHERE: Pep rally: Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium, 2450 Fred Taylor Drive
Baseball game: Bill Davis Stadium, 650 Borror Drive

Media needing credentials for the baseball game should contact Leann Parker at Ohio State Athletics Communications by Tuesday (5/15) at (614) 688-0294 or email lparker@buckeyes.ath.ohio-state.edu.