Beyond the Bowl

January 8, 2026

The dean and other OSU staff posing with the Brutus Buckeye mascot — From Left to Right: University of Miami staff member, Dean Carroll Ann Trotman, Brutus, and Wayland Hinds, Director of Development. (Photobombing with a "Mona Lisa Smile" is Dean Karla Zadnik of the College of Optometry.)

For Ohio State, the tradition of hosting a service project in conjunction with its bowl game started with the 1998 Sugar Bowl. It’s a tradition rooted in gratitude—giving back to the cities that welcome Buckeyes during the biggest games of the season.

The day before the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, Students, alumni and leaders from The Ohio State University and the University of Miami joined forces at the North Texas Food Bank to pack thousands of meals for families in need. In just one day, volunteers—including members of the College of Dentistry community—prepared more than 21,800 meals, supporting a network of nearly 500 food pantries and partner organizations across 12 counties.

The North Texas Food Bank, founded in 1982, serves more than 744,000 people facing food insecurity, including children, families and seniors. Every box packed represents hope for a neighbor in need.