Hayes statue given low priority by USG
Photo courtesy of Athletic Department
Woody Hayes coached football from 1951 to 1978.
It has been more than a year since the original ballot to build a Woody Hayes statue, estimated at more than $30,000, was initiated.
The ballot was introduced by Undergraduate Student Government Sen. Patrick Sprinkle and voted on during last year's USG election.
Although the initiative was passed by students, no work has been done to bring the statue to campus.
In an e-mail statement, Sprinkle said the completion of the Woody Hayes statue seems unlikely.
"It would be unwise to spend a great deal of funding solely from USG on the statue," Sprinkle said.
In his statement Sprinkle also said the current climate on campus would not make this project feasible.
A specific location was never named for the controversial statue.
Wayne Woodrow "Woody" Hayes was a famed football coach at Ohio State from 1951-1978.
Hayes is probably best known for winning three National Championship titles and 13 Big Ten titles while at OSU.
Though the original ballot was passed last year along with the election of presidential team Kate Christobek and Pete Steele, it was never a part of their original plans for USG.
"The statue was not part of our platform," said Steele, former USG vice president.
Steele, who voted in favor of the statue, also said that the statue was not made a priority.
"Just because a proposal is passed does not mean it is going to be a top priority for the administration in charge," he said.
In his e-mail, Sprinkle said the project was also hindered by a lack of support from other campus organizations.
"We have not been able to get additional support from various campus groups," Sprinkle said. "In future years, I would like to see USG, the Alumni Association, the Department of Athletics and the Class Gift Committee collaborate to see this statue idea get off the ground."
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Hayes statue given low priority by USG - Campus