Former Ohio State University running back and Cincinnati Bengals player Pete Johnson (right) and Cappy’s Pizza owner Bob Capuano (center) have teamed up to raffle off a football to benefit Brightway Institute, for which Bill Pizzino (left) serves as chief operating officer. The football is signed by six former OSU running backs.
(Posted Sept. 24, 2015)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
Founders of Brightway Institute are appealing to Ohio State University (OSU) football fans with their newest fundraiser.
Brightway Institute is a new vocational college that plans to open on the former London City Schools campus on Walnut Street. The organization is raising funds to renovate the facilities. The main priority is to update the boiler system to make it more efficient, said Bill Pizzino, Brightway chief operating officer. The estimated cost is $70,000.
The fundraiser includes the raffle of a football signed by six former OSU running backs: Keith Byars, Eddie George, Archie Griffin, Pete Johnson, Raymont Harris and Robert Smith.
“There’s a lot of yardage there,” said Pete Johnson about the stats of the athletes who signed the ball.
Johnson not only played for OSU but also played professional football for eight seasons, primarily with the Cincinnati Bengals. He has teamed up with Bob Capuano, owner of Cappy’s Pizza, to promote the football raffle. Tickets are $5 each or $10 for three and can be purchased at Cappy’s, 225 Lafayette St., London, where the football is on display.
The winning ticket will be drawn during halftime of the OSU vs. Rutgers game on Oct. 24 at a tailgate party Brightway is hosting at the London Country Club. Tickets to the tailgate are available for a $25 donation. The event, which starts at 6 p.m., will include food, drinks, cornhole, a silent auction, and the opportunity to hang out with former OSU football players.
Prior to the tailgate, at 3 p.m., several Brightway organizers and supporters, along with some former Buckeyes, will play nine holes of golf at the country club. Anyone is welcome to participate. There is no extra cost beyond the club’s usual greens fees.
For more information about Brightway, to purchase tickets for the football raffle or the tailgate party, or to RSVP for the nine holes of golf, contact Bill Pizzino at (614) 325-2462.
