An Evening with Jim Tressel
a fundraiser benefiting the ministries of Genacross Lutheran Services
Event Details
1772 Indian Wood Circle Maumee, OH 43537
$150 per ticket (includes dinner and program)
Cash bar available.
The Genacross Lutheran Services Foundation is excited to announce “An Evening With Jim Tressel,” a fundraiser to benefit the ministries of Genacross Lutheran Services. And what an inspirational evening it will be! While many people know about Coach Tressel and his many accomplishments on and off the field, attendees will have the opportunity to hear behind-the-scenes stories about coaching a top-ranked football team, proven ways to motivate to get the best out of others, and the importance of giving back.
James Starks, anchor of 13ABC Action News Good Morning, will ask the important questions and lead the evening’s Q&A of Coach Tressel.
Attendees will also hear the inspiring success story of Steven Brinkman, an alumnus of the Genacross Family & Youth Services group home program. Not only will he talk about his background and anecdotes from his time living in one of our youth group homes, but he will also share how Genacross has changed lives and continues to help youth from disadvantaged backgrounds to break cycles of abuse and change their futures in drastic, positive ways.
In addition, the evening’s attendees will meet one of Coach Tressel’s former players, Tyson Gentry, who will be introducing him. Those attending will also hear from Rick Marshall, President/CEO of Genacross Lutheran Services, as well as Mike George, Executive Director of the Genacross Lutheran Services Foundation.
It promises to be an informative and fun evening. The food will be delicious, the stories heartwarming, and the event will make everyone look at life a little differently.
Event Speakers
Jim Tressel is probably best known as the Head Football Coach at The Ohio
State University from 2001-2010. During his 10 seasons there, he guided the
Buckeyes to the 2002 National Championship and seven Big Ten Championships.
Prior to becoming Ohio State’s head coach, he had served as an Assistant
Football Coach at the University of Akron (UA), Miami University in Ohio,
Syracuse University, and Ohio State, and was named Head Football Coach at
Youngstown State University (YSU) in 1986. In his 15-year tenure at YSU,
including six as Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, the
football team appeared in the playoffs 10 times and won four National
Championships. After leaving Ohio State, Tressel went on to serve as
Executive Vice President for Student Success at UA, and then returned to YSU
in 2014 as President.
Over the years, Tressel has received many prestigious coaching honors, and he
was inducted into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2015. At YSU, he
received the Heritage Award in 2008 and was inducted into the YSU Athletics
Hall of Fame in 2013. He was enshrined into the College Football Hall of
Fame in 2015. Jim and his father, Lee Tressel, are the only father and son
to have both been named to the College Football Hall of Fame. Tressel has
published two books, has given hundreds of presentations and lectures across
the country, and has had extensive involvement in fundraising and
philanthropy. Currently, Jim and his wife Ellen serve on the Board of the
newly created James P. Tressel Institute for Leadership and Teamwork. They
are the proud parents of four accomplished adults and three
grandchildren.
James Starks joined the 13abc Action News team in January 2021. He was born
and raised in Toledo and is a 2004 graduate of St. Francis de Sales. He then
went on to graduate from Capital University in Columbus and holds a master’s
degree in broadcast journalism from Kent State University. While in college,
Starks was a two-time All-American football player, who later played
professional football for the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL and overseas in
Italy. Starks started his career as a sports anchor before moving to the
early hours of morning news. He’s passionate about being actively involved
in the community through volunteer work. In his spare time, he likes to hit
the gym, cheer on Manchester United and spend time with his family.
Steven Brinkman started life out as an orphan, entering the foster care system at 14 months old. His life was filled with adversity and hurdles, but thankfully he landed at the Anthony Wayne Group home through Genacross Family & Youth Services in 2002. After having lived the first 14 years of his life being moved through foster home after foster home and suffering various forms of abuse, Brinkman had finally found a family and a place that truly felt like home at Genacross. He went on to help start the Anthony Wayne Rugby Football Club and graduated high school as an Anthony Wayne General in 2006. His caregiving team at Genacross was consistently there for Brinkman during his teenage and young adult years, even helping him graduate with a dual degree in science education from Bowling Green State University (BGSU). While at BGSU, he also played rugby and served as the President of Pi Kappa Phi. Currently, he lives near Madison, Wisconsin, where he works as a Human Resources Executive for one of the largest rubber/tire manufacturers in the world. He is engaged to be married and is the father of three children.
