The Columbus Senators played baseball in Neil Park, the first concrete and steel stadium in the United States, from 1900 to 1932. So did Paul Brown, whose title came in 1942. Archie Griffin, college football's only two-time winner of the Heisman Trophy, played here. So did 17 members of the College Football Hall of Fame - including the great Chic Harley, Wes Fesler, Bill Willis and Jim Stillwagon. So did so many former and current NFL stars that for 30 years it has been difficult to tune in a game and not spot a John Brockington, Joey Galloway or Chris Spielman at work.
People like to associate themselves with events and happenings that are successful.
We find them motivating and inspirational. Other OSU sports have provided similar stimulation, if not with the sustained enthusiasm reserved for football. The basketball Buckeyes have had six other Final Four appearances, including an improbable run in March, and have produced 14 All-Americans, including Jimmy Hull, Gary Bradds and Jim Jackson. The OSU baseball team also has a fruitful history, winning a national championship in 1966 after a runner-up finish the year before. Even the two individual athletes whom the world associates with Columbus have roots at Ohio State.