Two members of Ohio State’s 2024 national championship football team will be part of the Greater Toledo Classic’s annual “An Evening with” series.
Defensive end Jack Sawyer and quarterback Will Howard will headline the June 23rd gala at the Stranahan Theater.
Sawyer — whose 83-yard strip sack in the Cotton Bowl instantly became one of the most famous plays in Ohio State history — and Howard will share behind-the-scenes stories from the national championship season, which included a devastating regular-season-ending loss to archrival Michigan followed by an improbable march through the College Football Playoff.
Sawyer is projected to be a first-round or second-round draft pick, while Howard is slotted in the later rounds.
Previous “An Evening with” headliners include Peyton Manning, Jim Nantz, David Feherty, and Gary Koch.
The event — presented by Presidio — will be hosted by former 13abc sports anchor Dave Holmes, who’s currently the sports director at WSYX, the ABC affiliate in Columbus. The 27-time Emmy winner will emcee and moderate the evening’s festivities.
A $250 premium ticket includes reserved seating in the theater and access to an exclusive pre-program reception (5:30-7 p.m.) featuring complimentary wine, beer, and appetizers. These tickets are available only through the Greater Toledo Classic tournament office. To purchase, contact (419) 531-3277 or email jsilverman@toledoclassic.com.
Program-only tickets cost $54, $79, and $104 based on seat location. Tickets are available through the Stranahan Theater box office and go on sale April 4.
Proceeds from the event will benefit Nationwide Children’s Hospital-Toledo, ProMedica Russell Ebeid Children’s Hospital, Ronald McDonald House of NW Ohio, Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity: Women Build, and the Jamie Farr Scholarship Fund of the Greater Toledo Community Foundation.
The Greater Toledo Classic is owned and operated by Toledo Classic, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation dedicated to putting on a professional golf tournament for the benefit of northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan children’s charities. Since its inception in 1984, Toledo Classic has raised $14.3 million for more than 200 children’s charities.
The former LPGA Tour staple has transitioned into a joint event featuring the Epson Tour and Legends of the LPGA, hosted by Toledo-born Stacey Lewis. The tournament will take place at Highland Meadows Golf Club July 25-27.
First Published April 2, 2025, 8:00 p.m.
