JAMES LAURINAITIS HUMBLED BY ENSHRINEMENT INTO OHIO STATE ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME
Anyone familiar with James Laurinaitis’ Ohio State career knows he had established himself among the Buckeyes’ all-time greats long before his induction into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame on Friday night.
One of only eight three-time All-Americans in Ohio State history, Laurinaitis’ name already stood alongside the likes of Chris Spielman, Randy Gradishar and Tom Cousineau as one of Ohio State’s greatest linebackers ever.
At one time, though, Laurinaitis was just a three-star recruit from Wayzata, Minnesota, who wasn’t sure whether he would ever see the field for the Buckeyes.
With that in mind, Friday night’s recognition was special for the man who held the nickname “Little Animal.”
“It’s extremely humbling, when you think about all the athletes that have been through here,” Laurinaitis said before Friday night’s ceremony. “Gosh, you can go through the football guys and just be impressed, but when you think about all of athletics, and to be included in that Hall is what just humbles me the most.”
Laurinaitis, who played for the Buckeyes from 2005-08, was one of 10 Ohio State sports legends inducted into the university’s Athletics Hall of Fame on Friday night. Laurinaitis was joined by Richard Bruggeman (men’s track and field, 1967-70); Cassie Dickerson (women’s soccer, 2008-10); Greg Drown (rifle, 1981-84); Linda Haussener (field hockey, 2005-08); Ray Hupp (men’s track and field, 1969-71); Bryan Koniecko (men’s tennis, 2006-09); Mike Pucillo (wrestling, 2007-10); Jerry Welsh (men’s hockey player, 1970-73; coach, 1976-95); and Brandon Wynn (men’s gymnastics, 2008-11).
New Ohio State Athletic Hall of Famers (from L-R) Brandon Wynn, Ray Hupp, Cassie Dickerson, James Laurinaitis and Bryan Koniecko during the singing of Carmen Ohio.
During his induction speech inside the Archie Griffin Grand Ballroom at the Ohio Union on Friday night, Laurinaitis expressed his gratitude to the people who helped him become a Hall of Famer – including his family, coaches and teammates – and said he is still grateful that he chose to become a Buckeye.
“The best decision I ever made was choosing Ohio State,” Laurinaitis said.
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