DAYTON, Ohio – On Tuesday evening, the 52nd annual Christmas on Campus celebration at the University of Dayton was held for the local Dayton community. The event includes nearly 1,000 children from the Dayton City Schools and a host of UD students.

This year's Christmas on Campus featured over 100 Dayton student athletes who volunteered to be a "buddy" for children celebrating the night. The holiday activities across campus included various sporting games, making Christmas decorations, meeting Santa's reindeer, and a visit from Santa himself. The children made stops all over the University of Dayton campus, challenging their buddies at games and joining others in the holiday activities.

Heather Hogan, the COC event coordinator for athletics, said, "Christmas on Campus is such a special opportunity for the children of the Dayton community and the Flyer student-athletes to come together and celebrate the holiday.  The event wouldn't be possible without the support of the student-athletes, the athletics department and the outstanding Christmas on Campus committee who make this night happen. This event gets better and better every year!"

UD baseball senior Sam Brunner said that, "Christmas on Campus is a time that gives the university a chance to show the community what makes it special. It really is a great night for everyone.

Flyer softball senior Katelyn Gibson added, "It is really something special to have the entire University of Dayton community get together to put on an event like this for the city of Dayton. I know it is one of the things I look forward to every year."