Fundraising update: Ohio State at Marion gym closer to being named for Greg Swepston

MARION — The friends of the late Greg Swepston are nearing the end.

"We want to make one last push to see if we can get us over the finish line by the end of August," said Dave Gorenflo, the man leading the charge to name the gymnasium in the Alber Student Center in The Ohio State University at Marion campus after his teacher, coach, mentor and friend.

Talking with Sweppy: Conversation: Catching up with former MLB scout Greg Swepston

Another good Sweppy tale: McCurdy: Greg Swepston recalls when George Steinbrenner was coach, not 'Boss'

Remembering Sweppy: Greg Swepston, as good a man as Marion's seen, will be missed after his passing this week

How close are they to reaching their goal?

The group is raising $250,000 so that the gym can be named after Swepston, and they want to finish the fundraising by Aug. 24. They still need roughly $15,000 pledged to the project.

"It was a daunting task when we began, and to think we’re this close is absolutely amazing and very heartwarming. We’re hoping to be able to take it over the top in the next few weeks," Gorenflo said, himself a retired longtime Marion County educator like Swepston.

Helping them reach completion was an anonymous matching funds program that began in April. Since then and through June, they raised $13,776 which turned into $27,552. A push in July and early August has them within $15,000 of the goal.

"The matching grant has been amazing," Gorenflo said. "I can’t tell you the number of people who had already donated and chose to give again, knowing it would be matched and doubled. It’s been very, very encouraging.

"I’ve had four different inquiries alone, saying where do I go to make a donation? We’re hoping one last publicity push might prompt those who have thought about it or forgot about it or put it on the back burner. They might jump on board and send a donation."

No donation is too small, he said. A $25 donation is really a $50 gift with the match program.

"If we get a dozen people to give a small amount, when it’s doubled, we’re that much closer to reaching our goal," he said.

How has the money been raised?

Gorenflo leads a committee that includes longtime friends of Swepston: Dick Brown, Dave Webster, Dave White, Jesse Hines, Roger George, Cheryl Huffman and Gary Iams along with OSU-M personnel Jodi Somerlot, Cathy Gerber and Tracy Schilling.

The fundraising started in September of 2022. They held a celebration of life for Swepston in the gym they hope to name after him and that included a silent auction that went to the cause. They've also organized two baseball/softball youth camps and a pickleball tournament in his honor to raise more money.

While the Marion County Youth Foundation and the Marion County Ohio State Alumni Club gave gifts, nearly all the donations have come from 240 people. Since the donation match program started, more than 60 donors have contributed.

"I think that’s impressive," Gorenflo said.

How to donate to the Swepston fund?

For those who want to donate, they can make a one-time gift of any amount or they can make a pledge that is payable over a five-year period. There is the ability to pay online with a credit card at GiveTo.osu.edu with the Swepston fund being No. 317597. Those interested in participating should reach out to the OSU-M development office at gerber.10@osu.edu or somerlot.30@osu.edu or by calling 740-725-6069 or 740-725-6156.

What's next?

Among the renovations to the OSU-M gym were refinishing the floor, replacing the lights and acoustic panels, adding a window to the north side and replacing the door on the southwest side, plus repainting the walls and ceiling.

"The renovation is done," Gorenflo said. "They’ve moved in, and it’s being used. It’s just a matter of adding his name and the donor recognition plaque and that sort of thing to finish us up."

So once they raise the final $15,000, they will buy the signage and donor board, and "I’m sure there will be a grand opening ceremony once that is all in place," Gorenflo said.

Who was Greg Swepston?

Swepston was born in Columbus in 1938 and graduated from Columbus Aquinas College High School in 1956 where his gym teacher was George Steinbrenner. He was a member of the Ohio State freshman baseball team, and after graduating from OSU, he moved to Marion where his first job was as a teacher and coach in the Marion City Schools.

He rose through the ranks, becoming a varsity baseball and basketball coach in the late 1960s and early 1970s before becoming Marion Harding's athletic director for a decade before retirement. He was an advocate of the schools, but also Marion and Marion County where he served on many committees and boards that helped the community and its youth.

Swepston spent roughly six decades as a Major League Baseball scout with the Boston Red Sox and Montreal Expos and was a regular at the hall of fame induction ceremonies in Cooperstown. He was also longtime season ticket holder to Ohio State football and basketball games where road trips and bowl games were routine. He was also a husband to his late wife Janis and a father to Julie as he died just shy of his 82nd birthday in March of 2020 after a battle with cancer.

rmccurdy@gannett.com

419-610-0998

X @McMotorsport

Instagram @rob_mccurdy_star

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Fundraising update: Ohio State at Marion gym closer to being named for Greg Swepston