Arena News

In celebration of the Grand Opening of Nationwide Arena, the Columbus Blue Jackets presented a check to Stefanie Spielman for her breast cancer research fund during the inaugural NHL game in Columbus. During the first 30-days of arena events, a portion of the ticket proceeds were donated along with contributions from area companies to reach a total of $150,000 for the Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research at The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute.

John P. McConnell, representing the team's ownership group, made the presentation. "We have committed to give back to the community with our team and as we hit the ice, it was fitting to make this donation to Stefanie as she represents the best of Columbus in her ongoing fight against breast cancer," McConnell said. In addition to the proceeds from ticket sales, SMG, the arena's management group, Sportservice, the arena's food service, Wolfe Associates and Worthington Industries also donated to the effort.

The Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research at The James was established by Stefanie and her husband, former All-Pro NFL linebacker OSU standout, Chris Spielman in 1998 after publicly acknowledging Stefanie’s diagnosis with breast cancer and her successful treatment. To date, over $1 million has been raised through the fund that is dedicated to breast cancer research at the Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute at The Ohio State University.