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Woody sign to be unveiled at Texas game

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LightningRod

Legend
COMMENTARY
Finally, Woody will get a prominent place of honor in Ohio Stadium
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
BOB HUNTER

The thought nagged Gene Smith every time he visited Ohio Stadium. Something was missing.

Oh, he could see the ghosts and hear the whispers, same as a lot of us. He could look at the legendary names on the concrete facade behind the north end zone and transfer those letters into living images on the playing surface below.

But something was wrong with this dreamy picture. Archie Griffin? Check. Hop Cassady? Check. Chic Harley? Check. Eddie George . . .

Wait a minute. Where was Woody Hayes?

"I obviously saw all of the other names," the firstyear athletics director said. "Not knowing any history at all of how we had recognized people, that was my first thought: ‘Wow, Woody’s not in here anywhere in a prominent way.’ "

Thanks to Smith, that will change when Ohio State unveils a sign memorializing the legendary coach during halftime of the Texas game Sept. 10.

"I just think it’s the right thing to do," Smith said. "It doesn’t seem right that there’s no mention of him in there."

Hayes has always been there in spirit, of course. If you stare at the field long enough, you can almost see him stalking the sideline like a hungry wolf. The venerable old stadium probably is haunted by a million ghosts, but if only one lived there, it would definitely be Hayes’.

That was his laboratory for 28 years, longer than any other coach, and it was his influence more than any that turned it into the best combination of stadium, religious shrine and museum that exists anywhere in this country.

So why didn’t Woody have any official recognition in there? It’s just not what the school did. Through the years, OSU resisted honoring players and coaches, in part because there were so many to honor that administrators were afraid to start something they couldn’t control.

For years, Harley was the program’s most beloved figure, and there was serious talk of naming the stadium for him in the 1940s and ’50s, but only after his death. Unfortunately, by the time he died in 1974, most fans had forgotten him. Yes, he was mostly responsible for building the stadium — the three-time All-American raised Ohio State football to a level of excitement from 1916-19 that made the giant concrete horseshoe possible — but by the time he died, he was just a famous name.

It was a foregone conclusion by that point that the football shrine would never be named for anybody; in fact, the school’s football roll call was so impressive that even retiring numbers seemed like an impossible feat. Then athletics director Andy Geiger finally came up with a solution to that problem by retiring the numbers of the school’s five Heisman Trophy winners; no one could dispute that they held a place above the others.

But Geiger was also cautious. He added Harley to the list belatedly because there was no Heisman to win in his day and no one would dispute his unique place in the program’s history. But coaches? This was another one of those places you just didn’t go, or at least it seemed that way until Smith arrived.

Hayes’ memorial, which will be larger than the ones that honor the other six, has three sections: a left section with a block O similar to the one on the black caps Hayes wore when he coached, a center section with his name and the years he coached (1951-1978), and a right section recognizing his 13 Big Ten and five national championships.

"The number of championships he’s won distinguish him beyond any other coach," Smith said. "Think of all those kids who had a chance to wear those (championship) rings. No other coach has done that.

"Maybe it’s because I’m a football guy, but in the game, the championship experience is the ultimate, the pinnacle, it’s what we strive for. He was able to provide that experience for hundreds and hundreds of kids, and he deserves recognition for it."

This is an important step. To his credit, Smith seems less concerned with hurting somebody’s feelings than giving those who deserve it their due. He recognized a wrong and he wants to right it.

"I think there will be others down the road," Smith said. "I think there are other platforms around the stadium, not just in the stadium, we might consider to recognize our greats. I don’t have a particular plan to do that, but I think it’s a good idea."

Amen to that. Maybe he’ll take another look at that proposed statue of Harley outside the stadium. Or do something for greats like John Hicks, Jim Stillwagon and Jim Parker whose Heisman chances were hurt by their positions. Or honor coaches such as Dr. John W. Wilce and Paul Brown.

As long as Ohio State’s list of legends is, trying to honor those who deserve it is still better than simply ignoring them all.

Bob Hunter is a sports columnist for The Dispatch
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[email protected]
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About Time
 
Steve19 said:
Am I wrong, or is Smith starting to "get it"?
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Eh, my jury is still out. While I think this is an outstanding move on his part, I do not have any confidence that it was truly his idea, nor do I see it for anything more than a PR stunt to gain popularity. At the same time, however, I have absolutely no proof that this isn't exactly what he says it is...which is my hope. I have no animosity towards Smith, and hope that this is an indication of the future under his guidance. But I won't pass judgment because of this.
 
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Dryden said:
What I find amazing about this is that Smith has only been a Buckeye since March. He hasn't even been to a game yet! :biggrin:
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He must have read Jim Tressels book when he first got here, lol. But, really this is a classy move by the university to honor such a great legend such as ol' Woody. This is gonna make the Texas game that much bigger and that much more memorable.
 
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Long Overdue.

I'll say that Smith "gets it" when the enforcement policy on the new rules for the Shoe announced yeaterday works out...the rules make it a more family friendly place and ban traditions like profane t-shirts (no more Fuck Michigan???). I dunno if there has been a thread on BP about it yet, I saw it on the local news
 
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greyscarlet said:
I didn't think anything could make the Texas game any bigger or more exciting. Crowning Woody at the Horseshoe could trump the game all together. I don't envy the whorns.
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gotta agree here. i couldn't imagine anything that could make this game more exciting, but they just did it. if for some strange miracle we are down at the half, the crowd (and players) should be pumped in the second half. There's no way Tressel is going to let texas spoil this night.
 
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AJHawkfan said:
Great move; long overdue. I would also like to see them pay some sort of tribute to Geiger. That guy did an awful lot for OSU athletics. He should be remembered for more than the MoC/Obie debacles.
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I agree. Although his career ended badly, and he never got my student tickets in any respectable location :( he did do an aweful lot for our athletics, mainly hire some awesome coaches aka JT and TM and many before them who I will not take the time here to list. He also had a part in the stadium renovations as well
 
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