Spring Break
Annual talent show remembers lives of Henson, Zaher
Event which began in 2003 serves as reminder of late Oregon State soccer players Stephen Henson, Joe Zaher
Patrick Chabreck
Issue date: 4/14/09 Section: Sports
It has been seven years since Oregon State University lost student athletes Stephen Henson and Joe Zaher, but not during any of those years have they been forgotten.
"The Other Side" talent show is put on by the Department of Athletics and the Student Advisory Committee to show remembrance for the university's lost athletes and raise money for the OSU IMPACT program. The actual talent on stage comes from representatives of all 17 intercollegiate teams at OSU.
"This show produces a magnificent turnout every year and recent crowd sizes have been so impressive that the event is actually outgrowing the current host facility," OSU's Assistant Athletic Director for Communications Steve Fenk said.
"The Other Side" supports a charity with the event's proceeds every year. The talent show has raised and donated money to local and national programs since the first event in 2003. This year 50 percent of all proceeds will go towards Oregon State's IMPACT program.
IMPACT is a community based program that serves children and teenagers with disabilities. OSU provides student volunteers who work with the children during their visits to campus each week. About 80 children with physical and mental disabilities learn movement and social skills as well as address concerns for healthful lifestyles.
"I feel like the Oregon State students get just as much out of the experience as the children sometimes," IMPACT Director Jeff McCovin said.
The talent show is held in the Austin Auditorium in the LaSells Stewart Center. Performed talents range from playing instruments to highlight reels to synchronized dances involving entire squads. Athletes from many different sports compete for scores given by the judges, who are coaches chosen from OSU sports programs.
"I think it reconfirms what we think of our outstanding student athletes," Fenk said. "People don't realize what great character they have."
The two individuals who the talent show is held in honor of were respected athletes as well as people.
"The Other Side" talent show is put on by the Department of Athletics and the Student Advisory Committee to show remembrance for the university's lost athletes and raise money for the OSU IMPACT program. The actual talent on stage comes from representatives of all 17 intercollegiate teams at OSU.
"This show produces a magnificent turnout every year and recent crowd sizes have been so impressive that the event is actually outgrowing the current host facility," OSU's Assistant Athletic Director for Communications Steve Fenk said.
"The Other Side" supports a charity with the event's proceeds every year. The talent show has raised and donated money to local and national programs since the first event in 2003. This year 50 percent of all proceeds will go towards Oregon State's IMPACT program.
IMPACT is a community based program that serves children and teenagers with disabilities. OSU provides student volunteers who work with the children during their visits to campus each week. About 80 children with physical and mental disabilities learn movement and social skills as well as address concerns for healthful lifestyles.
"I feel like the Oregon State students get just as much out of the experience as the children sometimes," IMPACT Director Jeff McCovin said.
The talent show is held in the Austin Auditorium in the LaSells Stewart Center. Performed talents range from playing instruments to highlight reels to synchronized dances involving entire squads. Athletes from many different sports compete for scores given by the judges, who are coaches chosen from OSU sports programs.
"I think it reconfirms what we think of our outstanding student athletes," Fenk said. "People don't realize what great character they have."
The two individuals who the talent show is held in honor of were respected athletes as well as people.
Note: writers will not reply to comments.
Be the first to comment on this story
Comments by registered users are approved by default.