The Rebounders Club was started in 1986 by seven motivated Ohio State fans that saw the need to support and advertise women's collegiate athletics, specifically the women's basketball team. The organization boasted more than 800 members in the 90's an now has roughly 300 active members.
Pat Luzader, an original member of The Rebounders Club, said that former coach Nancy Darsch (1985-1997) expressed an interest in creating a booster club for the team in the mid-80s. "Seven interested people met at a pizza place in January 1986 to discuss how to start a booster club," Luzader said. "The goals of the organization were to let the public know that there was a women's basketball program and to get more fan support.
"Promoting the team, fostering national and international competition, striving to increase of the team in the state and the nation and raising money were all the goals of The Rebounders Club," Sue Wein, current (now past member, editor) board member of The Rebounders Club, said. "Members also strive to attend as many away games as possible, staying dedicated to the team both at home and on the road," Wein said. Ohio State center LaToya Turner (2000-2004) said the team is extremely appreciative of the support The Rebounders bring to the program. "We treat them as a part of our family," Turner said. "We have their support all the time, both at away games and at home, and we can't say how much we appreciate that." Head women's basketball coach Jim Foster said the team was very fortunate to have such a active booster organization. "We are very happy to have them support the team," Foster said. "Raising funds is very important, along with volunteers and supportive fans."
The Rebounders Club is now a member of the President's Club, Ohio State's largest donor recognition group, donating roughly $8,000 last year to the program, bringing its total doantions to more than $90,000 since 1986. "We fundraise throughout the year and give the money directly to the university," Wein said. "The money is then directed toward the women's basketball program. "Before the football season, we raffle off two football season tickets, along with two individual tickets to each football game. More raffles are held in December, such as being named a 'guest coach' at a Big Ten game and winning an all-inclusive trip to an away game," Wein said. As a 'guest coach', a person gets access to the locker room and is introduced to the student-athletes at some point during the game, Luzader said. Ron Guth, a founding member, said "We wanted to increase the attendance at home games and offer different ways to support the team. We now hold monthly dinner meetings at the Ohio State University Golf Course restaurant, during which we bring in various speakers, such as coaches and former players, to give us an insight into the program."
"The women's basketball program is on the upswing," Wein said. "We are here to pay back the sport and the team and keep it alive. The Rebounders Club is just a means to insure the continuation of the game." Luzader said a genuine love of the game makes The Rebounders Club the Buckeye's No. 1 fans. "It's a fun atmosphere and fun to watch," Luzader said. Women's basketball is a passion and The Rebounders Club is an organization that anyone who enjoys basketball should join."
Tal Bendor, Ohio State Athletics Communications, Nov. 2003
The Rebounders Club Past Presidents
George Gans 1985-1988
Bruce Beal 1988-1989
Anita Casdorph 1989-1990
Shirley Nault (resigned March 1990)
Ron Guth 1990-1991
Lew Witherspoon 1991-1992 (deceased)
Carol Sweet (now Green) 1992-1993 (deceased - 2010)
Janet Gething 1993-1994
June Allen 1994-1995
Libby Weigel 1995-1996
Donna Ball 1996-1997
Bob Jones (deceased 7/19/97)
Jim Noel 1997-1998
Mark Emerson 1998-1999
Jim Noel 1999-2000
Sue Hanhilammi 2000-2001
Sue Wein 2001-2002
Debbie Matthews 2002-2003
Sue Wein 2003-2004
Jeff Grimm 2004-2005
Caprice Dittmar 2005-2006
Deloris Bills 2006-2007
Donna Ball 2007-2008
Paul Willer 2008-2009 (deceased 10/22/10)
Jim McCarthy 2009-2010
Mimi Murdok 2010-2011
Jeff Grimm 2011-2012