Columbus hosts its first All Pro Dad Experience

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Columbus hosts its first All Pro Dad Experience

Event featured Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel and Ryan Day

More than 1,400 fathers, mothers, grandparents, coaches and kids stormed the Woody Hayes Athletic Center (WHAC) at The Ohio State University this week to participate in the first Columbus-area All Pro Dad Experience. Entering through an inflatable tunnel, guests had the chance to meet Brutus, run obstacle courses, create their own touchdown dances and bond as families.

All Pro Dad is a program that strives to help fathers strengthen their family relationships. Participants have access to tips and ideas in daily emails, weekly podcasts, monthly meetings and a yearly All Pro Dad Experience. The annual event, held at multiple professional and NCAA football venues across the country, lets fathers, as well as other guardians, create memories with their children.

In March of this year, Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel announced the event, which was made possible through a partnership between All Pro Dad and the Ohio Department of Children & Youth.

Tressel spoke at the event, saying how happy he was to be back at Ohio State and how important the cause is to him.

"We always want to get all pro players, but what we really want to build is all pro dads," Tressel said, quoting Tony Dungy, All Pro Dad's founder.

"People ask all the time, 'What was your greatest victory?'" Tressel said. "Your greatest victory is watching what your guys do later - what kind of dads they become, what kind of co-workers they become, what kind of citizens they become and what kind of spouses they become."

Joining the lieutenant governor was Ohio State football head coach Ryan Day. When the Columbus date was announced, Day immediately agreed to host participating families at the WHAC and asked former and current Buckeyes to attend, Tressel said.

"… [W]hat he can do for the community is very important to him," Tressel said. "… [W]hen he can carve out a minute to help someone, he's always available."

Day lost his own father when he was 9 years old. An army of people stepped up to support him, he said.

"I looked at it like an opportunity because I was able to choose the attributes [from] a bunch of men in my community that I wanted to emulate down the road," he said. "Thank God for my grandfather and my uncles, my father-in-law and the coaches that I had - they stepped in. They were my father. And then from there I wanted to become a good dad for my son R.J., who's here tonight, [and] for my daughters."

Guy Bolon attended the event with his son, Devin, and his grandson, Archer. All three are Ohio State fans, even 3-year-old Archer.

"We watch every Saturday," he said of the Buckeyes. "This has been interesting so far. I've enjoyed hearing the speakers."

Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. said he didn't hesitate when Day asked him to attend.

"It's like, 'Where can I sign up?'" he said. "The kids will remember this for the rest of their lives. It's a great opportunity to give back."

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