Ohio Football Topic
Topic: Who was coach when you became an Ohio Football Fan? (NT)
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L.C.
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Posted: 9/16/2014 3:37 PM
Brufus
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Posted: 9/16/2014 7:04 PM
Out of curiosity, who here became an Ohio fan at the same time they started school at Ohio? I know there are people who've been fans long before they went to Athens...
Mike Johnson
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Posted: 9/16/2014 8:20 PM
I'm not sure that I knew Ohio existed before 1960. As the '60 Bobcats began their march to an unbeaten season, my local paper, which regularly covered OSU but not Ohio, began running wire service stories on Ohio.

Then in 1962 I was a delegate from my HS to Buckeye Boys State. That stay at Ohio profoundly changed my thinking on where I would go to college.

Then in 1963-64, my fresman year, Ohio won MAC titles in football, basketball and baseball and I was hooked for life.
Pataskala
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Posted: 9/16/2014 8:42 PM
Like most in Ohio, I followed O$U growing up.

Then I discovered The Ohio University early in my senior year in high school when I decided I wanted to be a broadcaster.

I became forever hooked on Ohio the day I first set foot on campus in March 1970 (didn't have the money to start the previous fall).
Mark Lembright '85
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Posted: 9/16/2014 8:56 PM
Brufus wrote:expand_more
Out of curiosity, who here became an Ohio fan at the same time they started school at Ohio? I know there are people who've been fans long before they went to Athens...
Great question-Me for one; Burke was the coach when I enrolled in '81. Slinging Sammy Shon! Leather bota bags filled with Mad Dog! Those were the days.......
Last Edited: 9/16/2014 9:02:03 PM by Mark Lembright '85
RSBobcat
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Posted: 9/16/2014 9:07 PM
Freshman 1977

Hess was the coach at all the games I left at halftime - if I went........

I have been to A LOT more games in the last 4 years than I was at my (first) four years at OHIO!

Can't say that about basketball - hooked from the first game in the Convo.
Bobcat Grad 86
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Posted: 9/16/2014 9:47 PM
I was a freshman in 1981 when Brian Burke was the coach. I remember Ohio had a goal-line stand at the end of the game to beat BG. A friend from Worthington High School Dave Flexer was a freshman linebacker who later moved to TE.

Other than the finish of the BG game, the most exciting action at Peden was when there were large rolls of paper on the hill across the highway rolled out to read "Ribs at Ritz". Then some students went up the hill to change the sign to "Tits at Ritz". Then we laughed as the out of shape cops were trying to climb up the hill to remove the sign.

I grew up in Columbus rooting for my parents school in that town but I do remember seeing the Brian Burke show Sunday mornings. I also remember the Old Shriner's All-Star game for Ohio Colleges that was played in Ohio Stadium that was televised. I remember the Old Ohio helmets with the State of Ohio outline which made more of an impression than many of the other school helmets.
Last Edited: 9/16/2014 9:50:51 PM by Bobcat Grad 86
RSBobcat
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Posted: 9/16/2014 9:57 PM
Bobcat Grad 86 wrote:expand_more
I was a freshman in 1981 when Brian Burke was the coach. I remember Ohio had a goal-line stand at the end of the game to beat BG. A friend from Worthington High School Dave Flexer was a freshman linebacker who later moved to TE.

Other than the finish of the BG game, the most exciting action at Peden was when there were large rolls of paper on the hill across the highway rolled out to read "Ribs at Ritz". Then some students went up the hill to change the sign to "Tits at Ritz". Then we laughed as the out of shape cops were trying to climb up the hill to remove the sign.

I grew up in Columbus rooting for my parents school in that town but I do remember seeing the Brian Burke show Sunday mornings. I also remember the Old Shriner's All-Star game for Ohio Colleges that was played in Ohio Stadium that was televised. I remember the Old Ohio helmets with the State of Ohio outline which made more of an impression than many of the other school helmets.
Remember that well - My girlfriend at the time tended bar at the Ritz. They did have great ribs there - Those Solecki's did know how to cook!
cc-cat
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Posted: 9/16/2014 10:38 PM
Bobcat Grad 86 wrote:expand_more
I was a freshman in 1981
Busted - five year plan -- lol
Sony7
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Posted: 9/16/2014 10:59 PM
Growing up in the Zanesville, Ohio area, most people knew very little about Ohio University, and cared even less about OHIO sports. This, despite the fact that Zanesville has an OHIO University Branch Campus. My sister attended OHIO in 1974 and played Lacrosse and Field Hockey so I was aware, but I wouldn't say I was a fan until my junior year of High School when my coach took me to an OHIO basketball game at the Convo. I was so impressed. I've been a fan for life. Didn't watch Ohio football until I enrolled in 1982. Friends in the 110 explained why we hate Miami and taught me about our traditions. I sometimes wonder how others are indoctrinated upon their arrival on campus. Why don't we do more on our branch campuses to increase our fan base? I never understood that.
OhioCatFan
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Posted: 9/16/2014 11:34 PM
Though I went to an occasional OHIO football, baseball or basketball game in my early years of growing up in Athens, it wasn't until 1960, my junior year at AHS, that I began following them very closely. I attended every home game for the football team that fall and was rewarded with an undefeated season. I was a regular attendee at the basketball games that year, too. I must admit that the success of the football team that year set my expectations very high, and even though we've had many more down years than up since then, I still have high expectations. I've often been disappointed, but never discouraged, in the intervening years. GO OHIO!
mf279801
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Posted: 9/16/2014 11:46 PM
My dad went to OHIO too, so I'd root for the 'Cats when they were on TV (virtually never...I can remember watching play the Buckeyes in Columbus sometime in the late 90s), but I certainly didn't know the coach's name (Grobe). Gotta say my fandom started with enrollment.
Bobcat Grad 86
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Posted: 9/17/2014 6:43 AM
cc cat wrote:expand_more
I was a freshman in 1981
Busted - five year plan -- lol
Nice catch, missed a quarter due to being hospitalized.
Y-CityCatFan
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Posted: 9/17/2014 8:17 AM
Unbelievably, it was Knorr. Of course, I'm also a Browns fan, so I guess I'm a glutton for punishment ;)
Y-CityCatFan
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Posted: 9/17/2014 8:28 AM
Sony7 wrote:expand_more
Growing up in the Zanesville, Ohio area, most people knew very little about Ohio University, and cared even less about OHIO sports. This, despite the fact that Zanesville has an OHIO University Branch Campus. My sister attended OHIO in 1974 and played Lacrosse and Field Hockey so I was aware, but I wouldn't say I was a fan until my junior year of High School when my coach took me to an OHIO basketball game at the Convo. I was so impressed. I've been a fan for life. Didn't watch Ohio football until I enrolled in 1982. Friends in the 110 explained why we hate Miami and taught me about our traditions. I sometimes wonder how others are indoctrinated upon their arrival on campus. Why don't we do more on our branch campuses to increase our fan base? I never understood that.
+1!

Being from Zanesville myself, I can attest to this! I have always said that Ohio needs to do more at the branch level to make the students feel like Bobcats! There are about 2,000 Ohio students in Zanesville during any given year, and many more alumni! The problem is that unless they spend any time in Athens, they (majority) don't really feel like part of Ohio itself, just OUZ. I don't know the answer, but something should be done! It also doesn't help that the Zanesville media (NBC affiliate) doesn't pay much attention to the Cats either.
C Money
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Posted: 9/17/2014 9:40 AM
The first time I remember cheering for Ohio was under Grobe. I didn't actively follow Ohio until enrolling in Fall 2001, so that would be Knorr.
Kinggeorge4
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Posted: 9/17/2014 9:47 AM
1986 Freshman year, I have only missed 5 home games since then. There wasn't much to cheer for but I yelled every game. Grobe was such an awesome experience, really thinking we could win. Before him, not so much.
MedinaCat
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Posted: 9/17/2014 9:53 AM
I have to be one of the few who would list Kappes. Tough year for the team and coaching staff.
OU_Country
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Posted: 9/17/2014 10:14 AM
Mark Lembright '85 wrote:expand_more
Out of curiosity, who here became an Ohio fan at the same time they started school at Ohio? I know there are people who've been fans long before they went to Athens...
Great question-Me for one; Burke was the coach when I enrolled in '81. Slinging Sammy Shon! Leather bota bags filled with Mad Dog! Those were the days.......
That is a great question. I in fact did become a fan at the time I enrolled.
Catdude
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Posted: 9/17/2014 10:34 AM
I became a fan when I signed my National Letter of Intent with coach Hess in 1973. I had the pleasure of playing for Coach Hess when Coach Kappes was an assistant. I'd have to say that both these guys were very influential to me. I now have 2 sons attending Ohio, they have been fans since the day they were born!! They are both active in the Bobcat athletics department.
Last Edited: 9/17/2014 10:37:38 AM by Catdude
Bobcatbob
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Posted: 9/17/2014 10:40 AM
Y-CityCatFan wrote:expand_more
Growing up in the Zanesville, Ohio area, most people knew very little about Ohio University, and cared even less about OHIO sports. This, despite the fact that Zanesville has an OHIO University Branch Campus. Why don't we do more on our branch campuses to increase our fan base? I never understood that.
+1!

Being from Zanesville myself, I can attest to this! I have always said that Ohio needs to do more at the branch level to make the students feel like Bobcats! There are about 2,000 Ohio students in Zanesville during any given year, and many more alumni! The problem is that unless they spend any time in Athens, they (majority) don't really feel like part of Ohio itself, just OUZ. I don't know the answer, but something should be done! It also doesn't help that the Zanesville media (NBC affiliate) doesn't pay much attention to the Cats either.
Another Y City native here. I started paying attention to OU only after going to HS tournament games in the Convo. Became a fan only after enrolling. We had Bill Hess, Jim Snyder and Kermit Blosser all still active then. That's still something I'm glad I got to experience first hand. Meanwhile, in Zanesville, I learned more about Marietta College sports than the Bobcats.

As for WHIZ-TV and radio, what can you expect from an operation based on the professional acumen of 20 years olds?
sargentfan
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Posted: 9/17/2014 12:40 PM
Growing up in Cbus was always a Buckeyes fan, became a fan with my first game at OU in 2002. Unfortunately it was a loss to a FCS team, but I was committed before the season even started when I signed up for Ozone during orientation.
Bobcats1991
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Posted: 9/17/2014 1:17 PM
I really started following the Cats my freshman year of high school, which was also Solich's first year. I have been hooked since then, and I've been converting OSU fans ever since.
Tyler
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Posted: 9/17/2014 2:00 PM
I became a fan the day I received my acceptance letter to the j-school, a couple days before Christmas 2007.

I grew up in Youngstown, but my family is from Western PA, so I've always hated the Buckeyes. Growing up I rooted for Penn State and USC because I had a few family members attend each. I was also a big Youngstown State football fan, mainly because of how dominate they were in the 90s with Tressel at the helm.
Casper71
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Posted: 9/17/2014 2:20 PM
First game was Ohio U vs Xavier in Cincy...must have been 1966 or so. As I recall the backfield had Ron DeLuca at QB and Bob Houmard at FB. A prelude to the glory years that came once I enterd Ohio U in Fall 1967! Loved them then...love them now
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