Matta, Meyer will speak at local fundraiser

Ticket prices and location have yet to  be determined.

Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer points to the field as he protests a call by referees during an NCAA college football game against South Florida, in Gainesville, Fla. Penn State is going to hire a football coach for the first time since 1966 and one of the most successful of the last decade is available. (AP Photo/Phil Sandlin, File)

Phil Sandlin/FRE Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer points to the field as he protests a call by referees during an NCAA college football game against South Florida, in Gainesville, Fla. Penn State is going to hire a football coach for the first time since 1966 and one of the most successful of the last decade is available. (AP Photo/Phil Sandlin, File)

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Ohio State basketball coach Thad Matta looks on during his 200th win, defeating South Carolina 74-66 in their NCAA college basketball game on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011 in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain)

Mary Ann Chastain/FRE Ohio State basketball coach Thad Matta looks on during his 200th win, defeating South Carolina 74-66 in their NCAA college basketball game on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011 in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain)

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By Rick Cassano, Staff Writer 10:01 PM Wednesday, January 11, 2012

MIDDLETOWN — May 2 will be Buckeye Day at the 23rd annual Pigskin-Roundball Spectacular.

Event founder Mark Kerns announced Wednesday that Ohio State University coaches Urban Meyer and Thad Matta will be the keynote speakers for this year’s Spectacular.

“I don’t know how we can possibly top these two people,” Kerns said. “I can honestly sit here and say that I think on May 2 of this year, we will be the highlight of the United States of America with what we’re doing.”

Matta, OSU’s head basketball coach, has been on Kerns’ radar for a while, while Meyer became an instant attraction when he was named the Buckeyes’ head football coach.

Luke Fickell, who coached the Ohio State football team on an interim basis this year and will be a member of Meyer’s staff, will also attend the Spectacular. He will be one of the Gold Medal Club inductees.

Kerns unsuccessfully tried to get Matta for last year’s event and didn’t initially get a great response from him for 2012. Meyer was more enthusiastic right from the start.

“As soon as Urban Meyer was announced as the coach, I immediately got a hold of him,” Kerns said. “Within 10 minutes, I got an email back from his right-hand man saying they would probably very much be interested in doing something like this.”

The Spectacular’s site and ticket prices have yet to be finalized. Kerns said the event likely will return to Manor House in Mason after moving there in ’11.

Tickets will go on sale around Feb. 1, according to Kerns. Anyone wanting to put their name in now can email him at mkerns@middletowncityschools.com.

Kerns said the Spectacular has hosted about 11,000 people in its first 22 years, raising around $350,000. Proceeds go to local charities and scholarships for area students.

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