Former Ohio State football players and coaches team up to raise money to fight cancer

Cancer hit close to home for Eric Miscuda, and he wanted to do something about it.

His brother was diagnosed with brain cancer, and he visited children with cancer this past winter. Since then, the visualizations for how he could help came to fruition.

With the help of some past Ohio State football players, the former Buckeyes assistant coach held his first football camp on April 14 at T3 in Avon. Proceeds went to the Prayers From Maria Foundation.

“First, I want to give all glory to God,” Miscuda said. “I think he put it on my heart to get this together. I went to see kids that have cancer and (I wanted) to find a way to help them out.”

Open to grades 4-12, the football minicamp was held in two sessions across four hours. Miscuda coached at Ohio State under Urban Meyer and Ryan Day as the offensive linemen assistant and running backs assistant coach.

He teamed up with Elyria Catholic coach Chase Farris, along with former EC assistant turned St. Vincent-St. Mary head coach Doran Grant and Curtis Grant. All three were members of Ohio State’s national championship team in 2014.

“When Coach Eric Miscuda said that he wanted to do a camp, I told him that anything he needs, I’m all for it,” Farris said. “At the end of the day, it’s a brotherhood. He coached at Ohio State, we played at Ohio State. Having these guys here at the drop of a dime means everything. It’s just a testament to how strong the brotherhood is.”

Just like Miscuda, the cause of fighting cancer also means a lot to Farris. He also experienced it first-hand with both his mother and grandmother. It was important for him to coach at this camp to raise money for the Prayers From Maria Foundation.

“The cause is very close to me,” Farris said. “At the end of the day, we’re just here to pay it forward. To be able to raise the funds from this camp and donate it to the cause, it’s amazing. I’m just glad we had the opportunity to be a part of it.”

Miscuda and Farris along with the Grants and other helpers used what they know best in football to make it happen. The first group of fourth-through-eighth graders had nearly 20 kids and the high school group after had more. The campers participated in combine drills such as the 40-yard dash, pro shuttle and vertical jump.

A few of Farris’ Elyria Catholic players helped coach the younger kids before putting the cleats on themselves to participate in the second session. As a whole, a large group of Panthers showed up.

Most of the campers were local, but a kid from Pennsylvania and even two from Florida came to Avon to get better. These up-and-coming football players got training from former players and coaches who did it at a high level. Combining that with the cause proved to be a win-win for everyone involved.

“It’s a win-win for everybody,” Miscuda said. “It’s helping kids learn more about football and at the same time, you’re helping kids with their fight and battle with cancer. I’m pleased with the turnout and it’s coming together.”