COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Ohio State and Johns Hopkins men's lacrosse teams will face off Friday in the 2009 "Thumbs Up" event. The fall-ball scrimmage will be held at 7:00 p.m. under the lights at Upper Arlington High School in Columbus. All proceeds from ticket and concession sales will benefit the Michael Robert Breschi Memorial Scholarship Fund, the largest memorial scholarship endowment in the Ohio State athletics department.

The scholarship was created in memory of Michael Breschi, the son of former Ohio State lacrosse coach Joe Breschi, who passed away tragically in March 2004 when he was just 3 years old. The Michael Robert Breschi Scholarship is given to a senior lacrosse player every year who best exemplifies the spirit of Michael. It is regarded as one of the highest honors a player can receive in the program.

"It should be a great event," Nick Myers, Ohio State head coach, said. "Two teams that are in their fall season get a chance to play. Most importantly it's an opportunity to remember Michael Breschi and raise some money for the scholarship fund. We're excited about keeping the memory of Michael alive and the Thumbs Up mentality that we have in our program."

Tickets are $5 each, with children 6 and under free, and all seating is general admission. Tickets will be available at the gate. They also can be purchased in advance online at OhioStateBuckeyes.com, by calling Ticketmaster (1-800-745-3000) or in person at any Ticketmaster outlet or the Ohio State Ticket Office. Note there is an additional service charge per ticket on any purchases made online or through Ticketmaster. There is a group rate of $3 a ticket for groups of 10 or more. Group tickets must be purchased prior to game day, either by calling Ticketmaster or in person.

The Buckeyes are in their second full week of fall practice. The squad held an intrasquad game last Friday, with the Gray team winning 7-6 in overtime on a Mike Pires goal. The team, which was 8-8 a season ago and reached the NCAA quarterfinals in 2008, will continue fall practice through Oct. 17 when it will hold its annual alumni game.

The Blue Jays are led by head coach Dave Pietramala, who has been at the helm since 2001. Under his direction the squad has posted a 106-30 mark, won national titles in 2005 and 2007, twice finished as the national runner up and have advanced to six NCAA semifinals. The Blue Jays will remain in town to attend the Ohio State vs. Wisconsin football game Saturday.

The Buckeyes and Blue Jays also met in a fall-ball game in Columbus in 2006 when they faced off in the MRB Buckeye Classic at North Turf Field.

To make contributions to the Michael Breschi Scholarship Fund go online to www.giveto.osu.edu and search for "The Michael R. Breschi Memorial Lacrosse Scholarship Fund" (Fund Number: 640760) or send to: Rm. 235, St. John Arena, 410 Woody Hayes Dr., Columbus, OH 43210.

2009-10-07