The Andia Shisler Memorial Fund

URBANA, Ohio (August 18, 2010) - In September 2009, Andia Shisler (pictured), a freshman soccer player at Urbana University tragically lost her life in a car accident while driving to Columbus from Urbana.

Andia, a native of Lima, Ohio and a graduate of Shawnee High School, will not be forgotten and her memory will continue to live on in the order of a scholarship program and grass soccer complex for Urbana University that will help expand practice and playing area for the University's growing athletic programs.

This weekend, a group led by Andia's mother, Judy Shisler, and close friend Scott Gephart, will make a symbolic journey on motorcycles from Lima to Urbana University. The group will be greeted on campus by school officials and both the women's and men's soccer teams. The hope is that the bike ride becomes an annual event and fundraiser for the scholarship program.

"Our school is expanding so quickly that there is great need for more practice and playing areas," explains Head Men's Soccer Coach Nick Roberts.  "We also have a need for a top quality grass field for summer camps, clinics for local players and exhibition games."

"Andia was a very popular student-athlete after her arrival here at the University," Roberts continued.  "She was an Education major and had a keen interest in becoming a coach.  This project relates specifically to her dreams and aspirations as she began her life at Urbana University."

The idea for dedicating a grass practice field for this purpose was first proposed by the current soccer players at Urbana University and the friends of Andia.

The ceremony to kick off fundraising for the scholarship program and the soccer training complex will begin at approximately 2:00 pm on Saturday at the grass soccer field at the southeast corner of the University.  After the ceremony, the group of motorcycles will return to Lima where the activities will continue at F.A.S.T. (3477 S. Dixie Hwy, Lima).  There will be chicken dinners for sale as well as silent auctions, raffles, entertainment and a cash bar.  The money raised will go to a restricted Urbana University fund specifically for the Andia Shisler Memorial Fund that will support the Andia Shisler scholarship fund and construction of the grass field.

For further information or to make a donation please contact Urbana University Head Men's Soccer Coach, Nick Roberts at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or (937) 484-1291.