DAYTON – The Flyers celebrated the 54^th annual Christmas on Campus at the University of Dayton tonight. More than 150 Dayton student-athletes partnered with children from Horace Mann Elementary and the Boys and Girls Club of Dayton.

"Christmas on Campus is such a special event where the children of the Dayton community and the Flyer student-athletes unite to celebrate the holiday spirit," said Krystal Warren, UD assistant director of athletics and COC event coordinator for athletics. "This event shows how the UD athletic department comes together as a team. Our student-athletes, the athletics department, and the outstanding Christmas on Campus committee do an amazing job to make this a special night the children and the student-athletes will always hold dearly in their hearts."

This year's Christmas on Campus featured 150 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.

"The parents at Horace Mann were so appreciative of the time and effort the UD student-athletes gave their children tonight," said Mary Kessler, a teacher at Horace Mann. "They were so happy and the children were too. One little boy said he wanted to stay at UD forever!"

When Christmas on Campus began, it was a celebration for UD students and faculty. Then UD decided to involve the greater Dayton Community; thus local families were invited to come to the event and share in the Christmas celebration. It came to the attention of UD students that many children may not have the opportunity to fully celebrate the Christmas holiday. Rather than simply inviting children, they created a way to buddy with a child.  Nearly 1,000 children from Dayton City Schools were paired with UD students the night of Christmas on Campus. In addition to the schools we work with, the event is free and open to the general public.

Over the years, the activities of the night have grown and expanded to make Christmas on Campus one of the most signature at the University of Dayton. Each year, the entire campus sparkles with holiday cheer.