How does a cow, a snapping turtle and a goat fit into Ohio State football history? Why would Woody Hayes have been concerned about his neighborhood trash collector? What did freshman Archie Griffin do on his very first play for Ohio State? How was Ohio State connected to Notre Dame’s legendary coach, Knute Rockne?
These are just some of the fascinating anecdotes you’ll enjoy in this collection from the archives of Ohio State history. Sometimes uncanny but always delightful, these tales are certain to entertain all readers.
Co-authors Jack Park and Maureen Zappala create a unique, if not uncanny partnership of an Ohio State grad and a Notre Dame grad. They met in 2015 through the National Speakers Association, and developed a friendship based on mutual love of both professional speaking and college football. This collaborative book was Jack’s idea.
With his vast Ohio State knowledge and Maureen’s writing and internet skills, they embarked on a delightful two year journey of researching, interviewing, writing and rewriting to produce this fine compilation of some very cool Buckeye stories.
The Ohio State Football narrative overflows with impressive statistics, scores and superstars. But peel back the curtain of game day events, and you find a treasury of inspiring, funny and even peculiar stories not found in the headlines. This book tells those stories, showcasing the human side of the Scarlet and Gray. Games are won and lost at the line of scrimmage, but it’s the people and their stories that are the golden threads that give the tapestry of Ohio State heritage its rich luster.
Each chapter highlights a coaching era led by one of the preeminent architects, including John Wilce, Paul Brown, Woody Hayes, Jim Tressel and Urban Meyer. Read about players, coaches, fans, students, administrators, politicians, sportscasters and a myriad of others whose poignant perspectives, joyful celebrations and heartwarming experiences all spring from their connection to the Ohio State gridiron. Laugh over hilarious pranks and oddball coincidences. Feast your eyes on the photos that bring these stories to life. But most of all, be proud to be a Buckeye because you are part of a remarkable and robust football tradition.
