March 22, 2008

ADRIAN, Mich. - The Ohio baseball team was on the way to its Mid-American Conference opener at Central Michigan this weekend, when the team made a stop at Adrian College to get a workout in. The team got its workout in, and then through a connection with an Ohio alum, also got the opportunity meet with Detroit Lions Head Coach Rod Marinelli.

While the team was working out, Bill Keenist, Senior Vice President of Communications for the Detroit Lions was at the facility. Keenist is quite familiar with the Bobcats, as he earned both his master's degree in sports administration and his bachelor's degree in journalism from Ohio University. Keenist also is no stranger to Bobcat athletics, serving as the sports editor of The Post in 1980.

Keenist visited with Ohio Head Coach Joe Carbone for awhile, before mentioning the possibility of Marinelli coming to speak with the team. Carbone jumped at the opportunity and the Bobcats were given the chance to listen to a coach that has been on the sidelines in the NFL for over 13 seasons, including the last three as the head coach of the Lions.

"It was a real privilege for our team to have the opportunity to listen to what Coach Marinelli had to say," said Carbone. "He stressed the same kind of things that we like to stress - playing the game with enthusiasm, having a love for the game, competing, staying fundamental, and taking pride in the university and program."

The Bobcats and Chippewas begin their three-game series Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m.