Loveland Magazine

LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

Without fear or favor

Since 2004

Category: Our Regular Columns

  • April Showers Bring Vernal Pools

    April Showers Bring Vernal Pools

    Breeding salamanders  lack vocal chords, although some species can make clicking or popping sounds with their jaws. There are approximately two dozen species of salamanders that call the Buckeye state home.

    by Julie Watson

    Spring is here! The school year is winding up, the days are getting warmer, and rain is falling. Spring rain is essential.  It waters all the new plant growth, pulls pollen out of the air, and boosts water table and wetland levels.

    All wetlands are important. They help control flooding and provide habitat for a wide variety of plants, animals, and invertebrates. In fact, wetlands often have more biodiversity than most other types of habitats.

    A vernal pool at the Ohio Sawmill Wetlands Education Area in Dublin, Ohio

    One very special type of wetland that occurs commonly in Ohio is the vernal pool. The word ‘vernal’ refers to anything relating to spring. These shallow pools are filled by melting snow and spring rains. Having no permanent inlet or outlet, they tend to dry out during the summer months. But vernal pools are more than just large puddles. They are crucial habitats hosting a wide variety of species.

    However brief their stay, vernal pools are vital for the survival of many amphibian species. Many frogs, toads, and salamanders use vernal pools as breeding grounds. Some return to lay their eggs in the same vernal pools that they hatched from. Since vernal pools are temporary wetlands, they are free of fish which would prey on their eggs and young.

    The mating calls of many of these frogs and toads often betray the location of vernal pools. Spring peepers and wood frogs are the earliest to start. They can usually be heard before the snow stops flying.

    Wood Frog photo by DDauri Daniel D’Auria – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10998356

    The tiny wood frog is the toughest amphibian, ranging as far as northern Canada. Unlike other cold-blooded species, they don’t bury themselves during winter months. Instead, they hibernate under leaf litter found on the forest floor. This leaves them vulnerable to freezing. Wood frogs are the only species able to manufacture natural ‘antifreeze’ which keeps their cells from freezing while allowing the area between their cells to turn to solid ice. As much as 45% of a wood frog’s body freezes during the winter. But when winter loses its grip, these cool frogs thaw out and make their way to vernal pools to find a mate.

    In addition to noisy frogs and toads, Ohio’s vernal pools also play host to breeding salamanders. These amphibians lack vocal chords, although some species can make clicking or popping sounds with their jaws. There are approximately two dozen species of salamanders that call the Buckeye state home. However, several species are endangered due to habitat loss. Like their noisier cousins, salamanders are carnivorous predators consuming mostly worms, insects, and other invertebrates.

    Due to the timing of vernal pool appearances, they are often important rest stops for migrating birds and mammals emerging from winter sleeps. They provide fresh, still water and protein rich snacks.

    Listen to Spring peepers…

     

    Vernal pools are also helpful to us humans. Like all wetlands, they help control flooding by holding onto excess water. In turn, they filter the water making it safer when it is slowly released into the water table. They also absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide from the air, helping to slow climate change.

    In other words, vernal pools are wonderous places that deserve our respect and protection. Although they are still common throughout the Buckeye state, they are only around for a limited time, spring. If you’d like to check out a vernal pool near you, ask your local park system where to find one. If you are lucky enough to find one, please observe from a distance so you don’t disturb the delicate ecosystem.

  • Courtney Explains it All: Employment Opportunities For All!

    Courtney Explains it All: Employment Opportunities For All!

    Disability Employment Awareness Month is Celebrating the Value and Talents of People with Disabilities and What They Bring to the Workplace and Economy.

    by Courtney Hineman

    Loveland, Ohio – Disability Employment Awareness is not only important to me but to people all over the world with developmental disabilities. This is why I wanted to interview someone with a disability for my second vlog episode that is not only employed but is thriving at their job! For this episode, I interviewed my friend and fellow self-advocate Nick Sopiwnik! We talked about why Disability Employment Awareness Month is important to him, and about his employment experience. I hope you enjoy listening to our conversation and this episode makes you think about how you can help others with disabilities find employment.

    ________________

    Courtney Hineman is a disability rights advocate. She is the Community Outreach Advocate at the Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities and was appointed by Governor DeWine to the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council for the second term. She is a member of Butler County’s self-advocacy group, and enjoys participating in Best Buddies.

    ______________

    My desire is that you will find the following organizations helpful as we continue our journey together!

     

    Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities

     

     

    The Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities supports over 4,100 Butler County Residents. Supports and services are available life-long through contracts with partner agencies or directly provided by our Board.

    Founded in 1967, the Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities supports over 4,100 people. Supports and services are available life-long through partner agencies or directly provided by our Board.

    Much of our services go beyond the walls of our facilities and take place in the community. The Board’s supports are geared toward the philosophy of person-centered thinking, which places the individual at the center of decisions made about the services they receive. We are committed to helping people determine their dreams and helping to make those dreams come true.

     

     

    Hamilton County Board of Developmental Disabilities

    Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services (HCDDS) is a government social services agency established by state law. For more than 50 years, HCDDS has provided educational, vocational, and residential support and services to thousands of individuals with developmental disabilities (DD). Each year, we support approximately 7,300 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout their lives, from babies through seniors, by providing case management, monitoring service quality, and funding services provided by our community partners.

     

     

    We treat each person we serve as a unique individual and connect them to services to reflect the life they want. By collaborating with more than 1,000 certified providers, we’re able to support people to live a life that is important and meaningful to them, on their own terms.

    Clermont County Board of Developmental Disabilities

    The mission of the Clermont County Board of Developmental Disabilities is to help those we serve expand capabilities and navigate the possibilities. We envision a culture comprised of inclusive communities where people with disabilities thrive and live a life on their own terms. Individuals and families served by the Clermont County Board of DD have the right of choice and flexibility regarding what, how and where services are provided.  Individuals and families will be empowered to make decisions, become partners and work cooperatively with professionals, and exert control over the services provided to them.

     

     

    Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities

    The Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities provides services and supports to over 2,400 people in Warren County who have developmental disabilities. The mission of the board is supporting people with disabilities and their families to achieve what is important to them. The Board employs 127 people in full and part time positions. We operate out of four locations in Warren County, and have an annual budget of $30,500,000.00. More than 65% of our revenue is derived from local levy funds.

    Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council

     

     

    The mission of the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council (Ohio DD Council) is to create change that improves independence, productivity and inclusion for people with developmental disabilities and their families in community life. The Ohio DD Council operates under the authority of the federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (DD Act) and is a part of the Ohio DD Network. The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities assists and supports the Ohio DD Council as the federally mandated designated state agency.

     

  • Elly De La Cruz Makes History For The Reds

    Elly De La Cruz Makes History For The Reds

    Elly De La Cruz with a young fan at this year’s Reds Fest

    by Chris Ball

    Loveland, Ohio – Baseball is America’s pastime, and its records stretch back more than a century. And so when such records are broken, it means just a little bit more as compared to any of the other major American sports. This is why when fans read what Elly De La Cruz has accomplished these past few weeks, it makes it all the more impressive.

    With his monster April, Elly is now the only player since at least 1901 with at least 8 home runs and 17 steals in a calendar month. Oh by the way he also uncorked a throw to first at a jaw dropping 106.9 miles per hour. When he struggled at the beginning of the season Reds fans questioned whether De La Cruz had the focus and discipline necessary to make it at the major league level. Those criticisms are much quieter now given all that he has accomplished and how it seems that he has carried this team given the struggles or absence of other very important Reds players.

    The other important point to consider for De La Cruz is how his game has improved just over the course of the early part of the season. He’s cut his strikeout rate from 50 percent to 30 percent and increased his walk rate up to around 15 percent when it had been as low as 5 percent. Though Elly’s other hitting numbers may pop off the page a bit more, the evolution of his plate discipline is what makes those numbers possible.

    His offense isn’t the only thing getting better. It was difficult to watch Elly muff routine ground balls or sail easy throws during the first few games of the season. But that all seems like a distant memory, far in the rear view, as we watch him play now. His defense has greatly improved and, while still raw at times, is something he’s clearly refining at one of the most physically demanding positions in defensive baseball.

    Though it is only his first full season at this level, Elly has clearly shown that he has all the tools necessary to be a star in Major League Baseball not just years firm the road, but right this very moment. The future is now for Elly and the Reds and we are all privileged to watch.

    On another important note for the Reds, perhaps Jeimer Candelario is beginning to slowly turn things around. Against the Padres on Tuesday night he had two more hits including a solo homer, albeit in a losing effort. After posting some of the worst metrics of his career, Candelario has two multi hit games in a row and broke an 0-19 slump. If he starts to produce at even average levels it will be a big boost to a ball club fighting and scraping for every win it can get in the ultra competitive National League Central.

     

    Christopher Ball is a longtime Loveland resident and an attorney. He graduated from Loveland High School in 2003 and was a member of the football team before going on to become a coach’s assistant at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. He has been following and rooting for the Reds and Bengals since the early 1990s and has been through the many ups and downs that fandom has wrought over the years.

  • Reds Fight Through Injuries and Setbacks to Take the First Two Series of the Year 

    Reds Fight Through Injuries and Setbacks to Take the First Two Series of the Year 

    Frankie Montas (Major League Photo Day)

    by Chris Ball

    The Reds Are on a Roll To Start The Season

    The Reds had deck stacked against them to begin this year. Injuries to several key players and the suspension of Noelvi Marte threatened to derail the 2024 campaign before it even got going. But so far, the Reds have put those distractions and excuses aside and shown the league that it will take more than a few setbacks to keep this team down.

    After series wins over the Nationals and Phillies the Reds sit at 4-2 on the year. And while it’s far too early to draw any sweeping conclusions about what that means, there are still several very promising elements to their start that could be key predictors to how successful they could be as the season continues.

    The Reds Starting Rotation Has Shown Out

    Injuries ravaged the Reds rotation last year, and the high number of innings Andrew Abbott was asked to throw at all levels of competition took their toll as well as he struggled mightily in the latter parts of the season. Even now the team is without Nick Lodolo as he works to get healthy again, but the rotation has its is currently constructed has more than answered the call.

    Through 5 games the Reds’ starters had a combined ERA of just 3.0:

    And that number doesn’t even account for Frankie Montas’ start in the finale against the Phillies where he only allowed just one earned run in just under six innings. Montas is on fire to start the season. In his two starts, he has allowed just one run in 11 2/3 innings and has a 0.77 ERA.

    There are still concerns about just how far guys line Abbott and Greene can pitch into games given their youth and workload. But the first time through the Reds rotation has been a very pleasant experience that has to give fans hope that these kinds of performances will become the norm going forward.

    Lodolo also looked very strong in his recent minor league start striking out eight batters in just five innings. He’s apparently targeting a return on April 10th, and when he returns David Bell is going to have quite the difficult decision of just who to ask to step aside to room.

    Elly Keeps Hitting

    The hype surrounding Elly De La Cruz is some of the most intense that Reds fans have seen since Ken Griffey Jr. came to Cincinnati all those years ago. It’s a tough burden to bear and the weight of it is ever present as the entire city analyzes and criticizes every swing, hit, throw, error and strikeout that the 22 year old Dominican shortstop offers up. And it can’t be denied that some of his errors in the field make you scratch your head and his approach at the plate has lead to plenty of strikeouts this year.

    But the fact of the matter is that he is riding an 11-game hitting streak and isn’t going to give up any time soon. He is a polarizing figure without a doubt but it can’t be denied that this team is at its best when he is in the lineup, as unpolished as he still may be. Patience is key when evaluating Elly this year regardless of the ecxpectations and he’s shown exactly why he deserves to be on this roster in 2024.

    Spencer Steer Is Knocking The Cover Off The Ball

    Spencer Steer (Major League Photo Day)

    Spencer Steer seems to so often be overlooked in the discussions about the Reds’ young stud players. While CES, Elly, McLain, and Marte may get more press, Steer just flat out produces. From his grand slam against the Phillies to his ridiculous statistics (.435 average, 10 hits, 8 RBIs in just 6 games) the man has shown that he deserves just as much praise as any of the Reds best players.

    Signing Jonathan India Was Key

    Just a few months ago Jonathan India seemed like a beloved Red without a path to playing time. He was an unquestioned leader and a true Red, but many wondered if he truly had the ability or to play significant games and contribute given the plethora of young talent in the Cincinnati infield. Nothing has demonstrated just how clutch of a player India has been than his performance stepping up to play every day in a depleted Reds infield. With McLain out, India has played solid with several extra base hits and solid defense. His leadership and presence will be sorely needed in the coming months.

    Christopher Ball is a longtime Loveland resident and an attorney. He graduated from Loveland High School in 2003 and was a member of the football team before going on to become a coach’s assistant at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. He has been following and rooting for the Reds and Bengals since the early 1990s and has been through the many ups and downs that fandom has wrought over the years.

  • Cincinnati Bengals Apply the Franchise Tag to Tee Higgins

    Cincinnati Bengals Apply the Franchise Tag to Tee Higgins

    Photo by Wikimedia Commons

    Though a Long-Term Deal May Still Be a Possibility, Absent a Holdout, The Bengals Should Have Their Clutch Second Wide Receiver Back In 2024

    by Chris Ball

    Loveland, Ohio – As most expected, this weekend the Cincinnati Bengals applied the franchise tag to wide receiver Tee Higgins. I previously discussed what the franchise tag could potentially mean for the team and for Tee going forward, but the fact that the Bengals chose to use the tag so soon in the offseason leads to some interesting speculation about what the future could bring.

    The franchise tag makes it extremely likely that Tee Higgins will be on this team for at least one more year. However, as early as a few days ago there were reports that both sides were working towards a deal that would keep Higgins in the orange and black for multiple years. But the fact that the team opted immediately resort to the franchise tag so soon after those negotiations even began leads to legitimate concerns that both sides are still miles apart.

     

     

    The absolute worst-case scenario is that the two sides of can’t get a deal done and Tee refuses to report and play under the guaranteed one-year contract he has been given. On the other end the optimistic outlook is that the exercise of the franchise tag allows both sides to continue to negotiate and come to some sort of agreement on a contract that benefits all parties.

    The fact that the franchise tag came so early in the offseason is a legitimate cause to be concerned about how badly the negotiations may be going. And yet, it is hard to see a player as committed as Tee Higgins choosing to abandon the entire 2024 season by sitting out simply because he didn’t get the contract he wanted.

    At the same time, Bengals fans shouldn’t trick themselves into believing that Higgins will fetch some sort of massive haul on the trade market. The tag and trade scenarios simply don’t make sense given the Bengals’ history of avoiding that very situation, and that most teams likely wouldn’t be willing to part with significant picks or players that would make such a trade worthwhile for the Bengals.

     

     

    The Bengals have a surplus of cap space, and they need a proven second option behind Ja’Marr Chase. This gives them more flexibility to keep Tee on the squad for one more year to run it back and give the Bengals the best chance to make it back to the Super Bowl.

    The primary focus now should be ensuring that if the Bengals can’t give Tee Higgins the multi year contract that he wants, that they get him ready for at least one more year with the Bengals to make a run at a championship.

    Christopher Ball is a longtime Loveland resident and an attorney. He graduated from Loveland High School in 2003 and was a member of the football team before going on to become a coach’s assistant at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. He has been following and rooting for the Reds and Bengals since the early 1990s and has been through the many ups and downs that fandom has wrought over the years.

     

  • Reds’ Matt McLain To Miss 5-7 Days Due to Oblique Injury

    Reds’ Matt McLain To Miss 5-7 Days Due to Oblique Injury

    Matt McLain taking a selfie with two fans before going into the Duke Energy Center for Redsfest in December. (Loveland Magazine File Photo © 2024)

    An Early Injury Is Another Reminder of Why The Reds’ Depth Is Critical

    by Chris Ball,

    On Tuesday we learned that their second baseman Matt McLain would miss 5-7 days with an oblique injury, the same ailment that saw him miss time last season. The good news is that McLain’s MRI did not show any significant damage and he isn’t expected to miss opening day.

    Still, another preseason injury is a reminder that this Reds team has done plenty to address its depth moving forward. That includes in the infield where Jonathan India’s return means that if someone like McLain goes down, there will be a quality player ready to shift into that spot and ensure the team doesn’t miss a beat in the interim. 

    There are legitimate questions in 2024 about which Reds players get the majority of the playing time and which ones are asked to accept a smaller or a platoon role, or even spend time back in the minor leagues, at least to start the season. Having so many talented guys is not a bad problem to have at the end of the day. However, that is for the most part best expressed if the team is fully healthy. 

    If there are any number of injuries, whether serious or just of the nagging variety, that depth may end up saving the season. That is the ultimate luxury of having players who may be playing out of position at times, but who can slip back into their more comfortable roles, should injuries call for it. 

    That sort of security should make Reds fans feel much better about the upcoming season, even when key guys like McLain get a little banged up.

    Christopher Ball is a longtime Loveland resident and an attorney. He graduated from Loveland High School in 2003 and was a member of the football team before going on to become a coach’s assistant at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. He has been following and rooting for the Reds and Bengals since the early 1990s and has been through the many ups and downs that fandom has wrought over the years.

  • What Does it Really Mean to Forgive Someone?

    What Does it Really Mean to Forgive Someone?

    Forgiveness isn’t “It’s okay,” rather it’s “I will be okay.”

    Olivia Rohling
    Olivia Rohling

    by Olivia Rohling

    What is forgiveness? Is forgiveness what I’m hoping my high school English teacher will grant me after she discovers I started a piece of writing with a question– despite repeatedly teaching me that starting a piece of writing with a question is lazy. Telling me, “You are a better writer than this!” Is that what I’m hoping she gives me—forgiveness? I believe that in a perfect world– where the sun never stops shining and sparkles fall from the sky and puppies never die, forgiveness is when you somehow become okay with something someone has said or done to you. But by definition, to forgive is “[to] stop feeling angry or resentful toward (someone) for an offense, flaw, or mistake.”

    For most of my life, I’ve held on to the picture-perfect idea that forgiveness means you are okay with the pain someone has caused you. It wasn’t until my senior year of high school when I felt destroyed beyond repair where I found myself searching for what it meant to forgive someone. I thought that’s what you’re supposed to do when someone wrongs you: Eventually, you forgive them and become magically okay with what they said or did. But the last thing I wanted to do was “forgive” someone who led me to have to dunk my face in ice water every night to stop my anxiety attacks. The last thing I wanted to do was “forgive” someone who led me to have to leave in the middle of class with tears staining my red cheeks. I had the wrong idea of what forgiveness is. Forgiveness does not mean you are okay with what someone has done to you. Forgiveness does not mean that what someone has said or done to you is somehow justifiable. The definition says forgiveness is when you stop feeling angry or resentful. It doesn’t say the pain stops. It doesn’t say a certain action is okay. It says you stop feeling angry or resentful. Therefore, forgiveness is a choice. A hard one nonetheless, but it’s a choice for you to make.

    When someone says or does something that hurts you or even destroys you, it means they weren’t thinking of you. When they said the thing or did the act that caused you pain—they were never thinking about you and your heart– your feelings. The great thing about forgiveness is that it comes to be about you, not them. When you forgive, you are showing yourself the care and love that was never thought of in the first place. You are letting go of the hatred and resentment that built up in your chest because you know you deserve more than that. You are worthy of better. By choosing forgiveness, you are choosing yourself—putting yourself first. Hatred and resentment take up too much space in the body and soul, and how silly would it be to let another person control you to such an extent? After they’ve already hurt you as they have?

    You can choose forgiveness and still cry an ugly cry. You can choose forgiveness and still be disapproving of what was said or done. You can choose forgiveness and still hurt. You can choose forgiveness and still never speak to the person again. Forgiveness isn’t approval – instead, it’s the love that was never shown to you finally being shown to you, by you—for you. Forgiveness isn’t “It’s okay,” rather it’s “I will be okay.”

  • Plitt Named to Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List

    Plitt Named to Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List

    by Cassie Mattia

    Loveland, Ohio – A former LHS student-athlete has found himself on another prestigious list for excelling in the game of football! Ball State redshirt Senior, Drew Plitt, was placed on the watch list for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award just two weeks after being placed on the watch list for the Manning Award, which recognizes the top-performing quarterback in America.

    The Golden Arm Award was named after Johnny Unitas, an 18-year NFL veteran, who began his stellar football career with the Baltimore Colts in 1958. Unitas was not only responsible for creating football’s 2-minute drill he also racked up some very impressive stats throughout his career. 

    The recipient for the Golden Arm Award each year is selected by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Selection Committee. The top Senior quarterback is chosen based on their performance on and off the field. This year Plitt joins Kent State’s Dustin Crum on the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award watch list. Plitt and Crum are the only MAC quarterbacks on the list. 

    2020 Golden Arm Award Watch List

    Jack Abraham, Southern Miss
    Jake Bentley, Utah
    James Blackman, Florida State
    Ian Book, Notre Dame
    Alan Bowman, Texas Tech
    Myles Brennan, LSU
    Charlie Brewer, Baylor
    Chase Brice, Duke
    Anthony Brown, Oregon
    Shane Buechele, SMU
    Sean Clifford, Penn State
    Jack Coan, Wisconsin
    K.J. Costello, Mississippi State
    Dustin Crum, Kent State
    Micale Cunningham, Louisville
    Sam Ehlinger, Texas
    Justin Fields, Ohio State
    Feleipe Franks, Arkansas
    Chase Garbers, California
    Jarrett Guarantano, Tennessee
    Donald Hammond III, Air Force
    Sam Hartman, Wake Forest
    Hendon Hooker, Virginia Tech
    Josh Jackson, Maryland
    Mac Jones, Alabama
    D’Eriq King, Miami

    Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
    Levi Lewis, Louisiana
    Adrian Martinez, Nebraska
    Dylan McCaffery, Michigan
    Davis Mills, Stanford
    Kellen Mond, Texas A & M
    Tanner Morgan, Minnesota
    Jamie Newman, Georgia
    Patrick O’Brien, Colorado State
    Asher O’Hara, Middle Tennessee
    Brandon Peters, Illinois
    Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh
    Drew Plitt, Ball State
    Brock Purdy, Iowa State
    Peyton Ramsey, Northwestern
    Shawn Robinson, Missouri
    Anthony Russo, Temple
    Nick Starkel, San Jose State
    Zach Smith, Tulsa
    Zac Thomas, Appalachian State
    Skylar Thompson, Kansas State
    Dorian Thompson-Robinson, UCLA
    Kyle Trask, Florida
    Brady White, Memphis
    Zach Wilson, BYU
    Terry Wilson, Kentucky

    To read more about Plitt’s phenomenal career thus far at Ball State click the following link: Former LHS Student-Athlete Listed on Pre-Season Manning Award Watch List!

    After the MAC made the decision to postpone all scheduled fall contests in 2020, as well as MAC championships, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Plitt expressed his feelings on the cancellation and the honor of being placed on the Golden Arm watchlist.

    “This has been an unexpected and frustrating year for us and the cancellation of the season was extremely disappointing. The team was playing really well having a lot of fun and enjoying the little bit of normal we were experiencing when on the field for practice,” Plitt explained, “For all us, football is an escape from reality, a time to forget everything else in the world, put on the helmet and pads and be a kid again and it’s very disappointing and very frustrating that we won’t be playing and really didn’t have much say in the entire decision making. The award watchlist is a tremendous honor and really a testament to my teammates because, without them, I wouldn’t be able to do what I do. It’s awesome to be apart of the watchlist but I’ve got other things on my mind like winning a MAC championship first and foremost! That’s what our team wants, the awards come when a team performs great and wins.”

    If you would like to read the MAC’s full announcement about postponing Fall sports click the following link: MAC Announces Postponement of Fall Sports

    Plitt’s parents Steve and Julie said they couldn’t be prouder of their son’s accomplishments and hope they will get to see him play his final college season.

    “As Drew moves through each phase of his sports career and life he continues to amaze me and make me proud. This is just another example,” Julie Plitt said, “He is privileged to have great coaches and players to help him in this journey.”

    Bryce, Julie, Marie, Steve, and Drew Plitt at Marie’s volleyball Senior night in 2019

    “For me personally, being raised and growing up in Baltimore, this resonates deeply inside. Johnny Unitas went to our church and I saw him there often,” Steve Plitt explained, “His youngest son graduated from the same high school as I did.  Johnny Unitas was the pinnacle of success in Baltimore, not for just being maybe the best QB of all time, but his time off the field spent in the community helping others. My roots are from Baltimore, and I know that there is a little of that ‘blue-collar’ Baltimore grit in Drew’s spirit as well. Johnny U was my father’s favorite QB, Drew never had the chance to meet his grandfather, so in some way this connection is both humbling and very, very special for me.”  

    Here at Loveland Magazine, we want to congratulate Drew Plitt for representing Loveland in such a positive way! We admire Plitt’s hard work and dedication and commend his parents for raising such a top-notch student-athlete! We will be rooting for you Drew when you get back out on the field!

    For more of Ohio and Loveland’s sports updates stay tuned to the Sports 411 With ME, Cassie Mattia!

  • [VIDEO] Local Soccer Program Donates Checks to Mile42 Coffee and the Loveland Legacy Foundation

    [VIDEO] Local Soccer Program Donates Checks to Mile42 Coffee and the Loveland Legacy Foundation

    by Cassie Mattia

    Loveland, Ohio – The COVID-19 pandemic has effected many across Ohio including those involved in Loveland’s elite kids’ sports programs. A local soccer group by the name of “Loveland Storm FC” has become very familiar with the obstacles COVID-19 has created many of the obstacles coming right before their Spring soccer season.

    Due to the pandemic Loveland Storm FC had no choice but to cancel their Spring soccer season. Because of the season cancellation, the local soccer program quickly recognized that their financial outlook was troubling because they had already made investments before COVID-19 made itself known. On top of the prior investments, Loveland Storm FC  also felt a strong obligation to return the downpayment parents had already made for the spring season registration. At the same time, the Storm did not want to totally bankrupt the youth soccer program.

    In order to help out the Loveland Storm FC soccer program and get the community involved the decision was made to hold a Virtual 5k Walk/Run Fundraiser with donations going towards the soccer program. Although the Loveland Storm absolutely wanted the community involved in the Virtual 5k Walk/Run the soccer program also wanted to be sure that the way they asked the community for help was done in the right way especially with so much economic hardship present due to the pandemic.

    Local mother and Loveland community advocate, Libby Westerman, took the time to explain to us and our many readers in the video interview below how the Virtual 5k Walk/Run decisions were made, and how the Loveland Storm FC program’s plan would emphasize the values that they make a top priority. According to the soccer program’s mission statement, the Loveland Storm FC is meant to be a “player-centered, family-friendly, community connected, competitive soccer program that grows players, has fun, and gives back.” The Loveland Storm FC program stands by their mission by asking each team to take on a community service project each season as part of its investment in the community.

    After the Virtual 5k Walk/Run was all said and done the Loveland Storm FC program was able to not only refund the money they received for registrations but also give away a doughnut or pizza party to the top teams in the Virtual 5k Walk/Run.

    On Friday, August 7th the local soccer program was able to take more of the donations they received from the Virtual 5k Walk/Run and give back to both the Loveland Legacy Foundation and Mile42 Coffee located in Loveland’s Historic Downtown District. The President of the Loveland Youth Soccer Program, Bruce Jones, along with Loveland Storm FC representatives personally presented checks to the Loveland Legacy Foundation and Mile42 Coffee in a special ceremony on Friday, August 7.

    The Loveland Legacy Foundation will use their check to support the foundation’s mission which is “the betterment of Loveland, now and in the future.” Mile 42 Coffee plans on using their donation on providing Loveland teachers with free coffee. Loveland teachers will need to present their school I.D to retrieve a 4 dollar credit towards a coffee or specialty drink of their choice.

    Katie Butler, the owner of Mile42 Coffee, expressed her gratitude for the donation as well as explained what the coffee shop would be doing with the donated check in the on-camera interview below. You will also witness the check being presented to both Katie and her mother, Jackie Butler!

    In the interview below Libby Westerman shares with us how the Virtual 5k Walk/Run came to fruition, why the money was raised by the Loveland Storm FC, and why she wanted herself and her children involved in such a great local sports program!

    In the 3rd on-camera interview, we captured on Friday we talked to Steve Max, CeeCee Collins, and Brian Garry, who were representing the Loveland Legacy Foundation, about the donation check and what they would be using the donation for!

    For more of Loveland’s latest sports stories stay tuned to the Sports 411 with me, Cassie Mattia!

  • OHSAA Announces Shortened HS Football Season Proposal

    OHSAA Announces Shortened HS Football Season Proposal

    OHSAA adjusts high school season if football is approved by Governor

     

    by Cassie Mattia

    COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Governor’s recommendation to shorten Ohio’s High School Football seasons has been approved! The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) announced Friday that due to concerns COVID-19 may spike in the early winter, all Ohio HS football teams will enter into the playoffs on October 9th. The HS State Championship games would be played no later than November 21st. This is only in the event that the Governor’s Office approves Ohio HS Football being played this year.

    The proposal for a shorter football regular season was approved by the OHSAA Board of Directors with a 9-0 vote. OHSAA released a press release after the vote saying that they considered the proposal a win-win situation for all schools because it would then not matter how many games each team played leading up to the playoffs.

    So how will it be determined which HS football teams qualify for the playoffs you may be asking yourself? Well, instead of using the traditional computer ratings system, coaches in each region will conduct a tournament seed meeting the week of September 28th in order to form the regional brackets. This is very similar to how several other team sports within the OHSAA determine which teams qualify for playoffs.

    Loveland High School is apart of the Eastern Cincinnati Conference.

    The shortened football season guidelines state that schools may keep their first six previously scheduled games, but all regular-season football contracts will be now voidable by either school. This is especially important in the event that conferences redo their league schedules so that games will fit into the first six weeks. The OHSAA will also determine new playoff regions in September. Teams that are eliminated from the playoffs may continue to schedule regular-season games up until November 14.

    MAC Announces Postponement of Fall Sports

    The Mid-American Conference (MAC) has announced the postponement of all scheduled fall contests, as well as MAC championships, due to continuing concerns related to the COVID-19 global pandemic. Read on…

    The Big 10 is expected to announce the cancelation of the Fall football season on Tuesday.

    Those schools that have paused sports due to COVID-19 are still able to begin their season in September or early October as well as compete in the playoffs. If a school finds that they would rather play regular-season games up until November 14th and not compete in playoffs they are able to do so.

    “To both ensure we can offer students the opportunity to participate in education-based athletics but do so with their best interests in mind, we believe this modified plan offers a positive solution by addressing many of the concerns of our member schools,” President of the OHSAA Board of Directors and Athletic Administrator at Mentor High School, Jeff Cassella said, “Those that are able to start their seasons on time will be able to do so. Those that are starting later can still have a season. Add in the option of all schools entering the playoffs and the possibility of schools still being able to play 10 regular-season contests, and this plan is helpful to virtually all of our schools.”

    Here are the most important details in regards to the OHSAA’s modified Ohio HS Football season and changes to the Playoffs process:

    • Regular-season games will begin the week of August 24 (same regular-season starting date).
    • All teams are eligible to enter the OHSAA playoffs. New regions will be determined in September.
    • The number of playoff rounds is dependent upon the number of schools entering the playoffs in each division. Coaches in each region will seed all playoff teams in the region to form a bracket, similar to other OHSAA sports.
    • Schools eliminated from the OHSAA playoffs or those schools that choose not to enter the OHSAA playoffs have the option to schedule additional regular-season contests through Saturday, November 14 (maximum of 10 regular season contests permitted).
    • Playoff seeding will be determined via a vote of the coaches the week of September 28 (Harbin Ratings is suspended for the 2020 season).
    • All playoff contests through the regional semifinals (and possibly the regional finals) will be hosted by the higher-seeded team.
    • Schools must commit to participating in the playoffs by 11:59 PM on Thursday, September 17.
    • Playoff regions will be drawn on Friday, September 18.
    • Schools may withdraw from the playoffs without a penalty until Thursday, September 24.

    Below is what the new modified Ohio HS Football season will look like:

    • Regular season Week 1:  Week of August 24
    • Regular season Week 2:  Week of August 31
    • Regular season Week 3:  Week of September 7
    • Regular season Week 4:  Week of September 14
    • Regular season Week 5:  Week of September 21
    • Regular season Week 6:  Week of September 28
    • Playoffs begin Friday, October 9
    • State Finals end no later than Saturday, Nov. 21

    Still, have questions on OHSAA’s modified football season and the new Playoffs process? Click HERE for all of the Q&A’s!

    Thus far the decision on whether or not spectators will be allowed to be present at contact sports this year has not been made yet. The OHSAA stated that “At a minimum, parents should be permitted to attend.”

    Luckily four of the OHSAA’s Fall sports, golf, tennis, volleyball, and cross country, have been determined to be low-contact by the Governor’s Office which means these particular sports will be permitted to have contests with other schools. The remaining Fall sports, field hockey, soccer, and football, have been determined to be high-contact, so the OHSAA, the Governor’s Office and the Ohio Department of Health are working together to create a safe game plan so that these three sports may participate in contests with other schools as well.

    To get the latest 411 on which of Ohio’s High School sports will be competing this year and the most up to date COVID-19 sports safety protocols stay tuned to the Sports 411 With me, Cassie Mattia!