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Sports

Pack the SHAC

Fan Night For Express Basketball

Paul Warrick and Rob Thomas

February 1, 2024

Pack the SHAC 2024 T-shirt design

OutCommPlus

“Pack the SHAC” Owens OutComm Student media reports on the January “Pack the SHAC” event. Owens OutComm Student Media Production Crew: Writer: Paul Warrick Production Assistant: Kevin Teran Reporter: Anna Syverson Videographer: H. Creps and R. Gronbach Video Editor: H. Creps Audio Engineer: H. Creps

“I want to put on a good show for everybody”, said Owens Express Men’s Basketball student athlete Breon Hicks.

Hicks was referring to the recently held “Pack the SHAC” event held in the Student Health and Activities Center gym on the Toledo-area campus.

“Pack the SHAC” recognized current student athletes from the Owens Express women’s and men’s basketball teams.

Wednesday, January 24, 2024 saw the Owens Express teams face off against Lakeland Community College. The women tipped off at 5:30 pm. The men followed at 7:30 pm.

Shelley Whitaker, Owens Community College Athletic Director explained the origin of the event, “It started two years ago with t-shirts and cupcakes, but has grown, with the goal to put as many people in the stands to support our student athletes, while giving an opportunity to the general student to come in and experience the games and home events.”

“Pack the SHAC” entailed everything from athletics, to marketing, to student life, with attendees receiving free t-shirts and pizza at half-time.

Owens Express Basketball fan Romeo Gonzales summed it up, “I think they have a great half-time event!”

For more on “Pack the SHAC” visit the OutCommPlus YouTube channel.

About the Contributor

Rob Thomas, Faculty Advisor

Rob Thomas is an Owens Community College Fine and Performing Arts faculty member. He is the Broadcast Media and Technology assistant professor and advisor for the Owens OutComm Student Media Center. Before coming to instruct full time at Owens Community College, Rob served several years with the YMCA of Greater Toledo within their marketing and communications department, promoting the organization to staff, members, volunteers, community collaborators, media, and the community at large. Prior to his career with the Y, Rob spent 18 years in the broadcast industry as air talent and production director for Clear Channel (now known as iHeart Media) that included Toledo radio stations 92.5 Kiss FM, (WVKS), 101.5 The River (WRVF), FM 104 WIOT, 1230 AM-WCWA and 1370 AM-WSPD. Rob is a multimedia producer and content creator, utilizing his skills to help not-for-profit and for-profit businesses increase their awareness to the audience they serve. Clients Rob has worked with include Car Stereo One, The Erie Shores Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Jeffrey Mann Fine Jewelers, Stone Oak Business Condominiums, The Toledo Diocese Office of Black Catholic Ministry, the Sylvania Northview Wildcat Marching Band, and most recently OhioMeansJobs Lucas County. Rob earned a Bachelors degree in Radio-Television Production with emphasis on Broadcast Script Writing from Ohio University (Athens, Ohio). His hobbies and interests include improv, science fiction, radio plays, collecting sound effects, making short films, and hosting the Classic Rock Lunch, heard Thursdays from 11 am until 1 pm, and Saturdays from 10 am until 2 pm, on OutCast, OCCR – Owens Community College Radio. Rob also volunteers his time and talent to the community in various ways, including mentoring local elementary school students for their televised closed-circuit morning announcements, tutoring students and serving on committees for his church. Rob is the former voice of the Sylvania Northview High School Wildcats Marching Band and announced the music selections during pre-game and half-time performances. He also served on the Harbor, Inc. board of trustees.