From Fischer Club Kid to Wisconsin Badger

Former Chase & Cole Fischer Club member Eian Elmer helped give members a memorable start to the school year.

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A familiar face returned to Greater Cincinnati this week, this time with a special opportunity for 20 current Club members.

Former Chase & Cole Fischer Club member and current collegiate basketball star Eian Elmer hosted a back-to-school shopping event at Dick’s Sporting Goods in Newport, giving each member $200 to spend on whatever they wanted or needed for the year ahead. Members spread throughout the store, picking out everything from sparkly Crocs and new clothes to football gear.

For Eian, the event was a chance to return to a place that was a big part of his own childhood.

The fifth of eight siblings, Eian grew up attending the Fischer Club and developed a love of sports along the way. That passion eventually led him to Division I basketball. After playing at Miami University, Eian recently transferred to the University of Wisconsin for his final college season.

“It means a lot to be able to give back to the Covington community,” Eian said. “To do something special for the kids, especially from the Club I used to attend, is really cool. I hope I’m able to make this event even bigger next year.”

Eian’s father, Eric Elmer, joined him for the event and shared how meaningful it was to watch his son give back to a place that was such a big part of his childhood. The family's connection continues today, as Eric’s two granddaughters also attend the Fischer Club and share Eian’s love of sports.

Also there was Coach Tay, Fischer’s PE Lead and one of Eian’s mentors during his years at the Club. For Coach Tay, seeing a former member return in this way was a reminder that the relationships built at the Club can have an impact well beyond a young person’s time there.

“It shows me that what we’re doing here is actually working,” Coach Tay said. “If you are striving to do something great, you don’t have to be fortunate with money. You just have to be consistent with people, and people will be consistent with you.”

Fischer Club Director Colton Shrader, who also grew up as a Club member, saw the same thing.

“There’s nothing better than seeing a Club kid help Club kids,” he said. “It gives me faith in our work and shows that the mission to enable kids to reach their full potential is working.”

For Colton, it’s also easy to imagine the cycle continuing.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if in the next five or 10 years, one of these kids is back doing the same thing, showing the next generation what you can do and how far you can go.”

For now, 20 Fischer Club members are heading into the school year with some new things they picked out themselves, courtesy of a former Club member who wanted to make their start to the year a little more exciting.