"You can never pay it back, but you can always pay it forward."
These words, spoken by legendary Ohio State Buckeyes football coach Woody Hayes, have stayed with Ryan Miller for more than three decades. Miller, who played linebacker for The Ohio State University from 1993 to 1996, said that, besides touchdowns and tackles, one of the most important lessons he learned as a student athlete was the value of giving back to the community.
While attending Ohio State, Miller and his teammates routinely visited local elementary schools to read books with the children. "I loved it," Miller explained, reflecting on the excitement the kids felt when being visited by Ohio State athletes. "When I graduated, I thought, 'I'm really going to miss this. I want to keep doing this.'"
In 1999, inspired by his experiences in the classrooms, Miller teamed up with fellow Buckeye Football alumni Luke Fickell and Mike Vrabel to create the 2nd & 7 and inspire the next generation of readers and leaders.
PICTURED (L-R): Ryan Miller, Co-Founder of 2nd & 7; Stephanie Frey, Development and Marketing Director; Amy Hoying, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors; and Mike Jones, Columbus Kids' Book Bank Director
Through its Role Model Reading Program, 2nd & 7 encourages student athletes from high schools and colleges across the country to read with students in second-grade classrooms, promoting youth literacy and the joy of reading.
During these visits, young students also receive free books, ensuring they have access to their very own books at home. The books, written and illustrated by 2nd & 7, feature the Hog Mollies, a group of friends who, over the course of the series, learn valuable lessons of kindness, teamwork, healthy choices, and good sportsmanship.
PICTURED (L-R): Stephanie Frey, Development and Marketing Director at 2nd & 7, & Lexie Kupka, an Ohio State student athlete who recently completed an internship with the organization through Ohio State's Bucks Go Pro program.
"The number one fundamental of life is reading," said Miller. "If we get kids at a young age to fall in love with reading, it can change their trajectory in life. I get excited about the kids we serve because their futures are so bright."
In addition to helping young learners grow into enthusiastic readers, the Role Model Reading Program instills valuable lessons in student athletes, said Amy Hoying, former Executive Director of 2nd & 7.
"Student athletes realize that they have the ability to make a difference off the field or off the court and be role models in the community, just by spending time with these kids," said Hoying, who now serves as the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors. "We hear these stories all the time."
Lexie Kupka, a senior at Ohio State and midfielder for the Women's Lacrosse team, agreed. She started volunteering for the Role Model Reading Program during her freshman year of college and, inspired by the mission of 2nd & 7, recently completed an internship with the organization.
"I immediately fell in love. It was so amazing," said Kupka. "I just loved how the kids were so inspired by us as student athletes."
In addition to the Role Model Reading Program—which is active in hundreds of communities throughout the United States, including central Ohio—2nd & 7 also operates the Columbus Kids' Book Bank. Opened in 2023, the book bank distributes free new and gently used K-6 books to families, teachers, and community organizations through online requests and monthly book giveaways. At a recent book giveaway, the Columbus Kids' Book Bank distributed more than 2,500 books within the first hour of opening.
PICTURED: Mike Jones, Columbus Kids' Book Bank Director
Through the generosity of donors, The Columbus Foundation and several of its Supporting Foundations have awarded grants to help 2nd & 7 further its mission of promoting youth literacy in central Ohio. This includes grants to support the Role Model Reading Program and the Columbus Kids' Book Bank.
As 2nd & 7 looks ahead to its next chapter, Miller credited the organization's success to the many volunteers, student athletes, community partners, and donors who have embraced its mission.
"It's amazing how many people have been so supportive through the years and the impact our organization has had," said Miller. "It is truly refreshing. At some level, we feel like we're just getting started."
