ARTS&LIFE

Arts&LIFE 6 | Tuesday, March 3, 2020

The Warehouse replaces Bullwinkles: More changes to come for campus bars NIGHTLIFE

Ohio-based artist brings international and domestic landscapes to a new exhibition.

ON PAGE 7

Anew owner has changed up the look and name of freshmen-favorite bar Bullwinkles, but his plans stretch beyond a fresh coat of paint.

Campus-area club Bullwinkles reopened Friday as The Warehouse after seven weeks of downtime, boasting new lights, sound, ownership and management, according to a Facebook event page. New owner Gregory Knoob said he is making improvements, but the building’s days are numbered. He is also in the process of acquiring the nearby Big Bar & Grill, and more changes are yet to come for both establishments.

Knoob said most of the changes are things students won’t notice: fixing broken toilets and keeping the space clean.

“I just want it to be a nice, clean, safe place that people can have a good time and that’s it,” Knoob said.

Upon reopening, the most notable change was the lack of the iconic red bull’s head hanging from the ceiling. Knoob’s wife and The Warehouse manager, Liz, said it was taken by a group of fraternity boys within 10 minutes of setting the tattered styrofoam sculpture on the curb. Knoob said this and other design changes were meant to give the club a more professional look. “This place looked like it was meant for people in junior high. I mean it really did,” Knoob said. Despite the changes, Knoob said the Bullwinkles sign on the front of the establishment will stay put for the foreseeable future. Strict rules for High Street businesses mean changing the name could take months, he said. Inside, “The Warehouse” is printed in large letters over the bar.

Knoob said changing the name to The Warehouse was apt due to the building’s boxy, industrial look, but the title holds more significance to him. The Warehouse NICHOLAS YOUNGBLOOD Arts&Life Editor youngblood.27@osu.edu

The Warehouse opened Feb. 27. The sign will remain the same.

was the name of the Chicago club where house music first got its start, and as a DJ who began managing clubs in Illinois more than three decades ago, Knoob said he wanted to honor his history. K noob said he has DJ’ed most nights at The Warehouse since he started managing it in May. Many of his changes are focused on improving the entertainment aspect of the club. “I don’t want to have six guys sitting at the bar drinking a beer. I want everybody to dance and have a good time,” he said. “I honestly care less about the alcohol part of this business. I wish it wasn’t necessary. I honestly just want a place where people go out, dance, have a good time. That’s it.”

Bullwinkles moved to Big Bar during the hiatus — according to a Jan. 10 Facebook post — taking its staff, pricing and rules to the smaller club a block south. Knoob said this was possible because he currently manages Big Bar as well.

“I had employees here [at Bullwinkles] that I had hired, and I didn’t want to fire people, lay peo

AMAL SAEED | PHOTO EDITOR

ple off, while we were closed, so I had to do another acquisition just so people had jobs,” he said.

Knoob said he was also motivated to purchase Big Bar because he does not see The Warehouse lasting long. He said he is only making minor changes because Campus Partners, the university’s real estate arm, has plans to acquire the property within three to five years.

“I’m kind of worried about what the entertainment options are going to be once they tear all these things down,” he said. “It’s WAREHOUSE CONTINUES ON 7

Tuesday, March 3, 2020 | The Lantern | 7 thelantern.com @TheLantern JULIANNE KERVER Lantern reporter kerver.3@osu.edu A new exhibition in the Short North is walking its viewers through nature from the comfort of the indoors.

“And all the land was swathed with color,” an exhibition showcasing more than 20 oil paintings from Ohio-based artist Mark Gingerich, went on display Sunday at Brandt-Roberts Galleries in the Short North Arts District. The collection depicts domestic and international landscapes.

“The inspiration was my travels in Europe and in Ohio, here, so you’re gonna see some things from France, a little bit from Switzerland, and then I think there’s one from New York state,” Gingerich said.

Gingerich said he is a founding member of the Ohio Plein Air Society, a group of artists interested in painting outdoors. He called himself a contemporary American impressionist. Gingerich said impressionist work typically depicts nature and draws the viewer’s eye through strategic use of focus.

“The texture of the work itself is put on more spontaneously, either with a loaded brush or palette knife,” Gingerich said. “And so the work isn’t necessarily realist, but it’s impressionist, focusing on color and composition and the effect of light.”

Though he was born in Germany, Gingerich moved to Ohio at the age of 10, according to his website.

“The majority of my life, I’ve lived here in Ohio, so I think that’s the reason that Ohio has become something that I enjoy painting, because it’s familiar, and I like the variety of landscapes that you get here,” Gingerich said.

Michelle Brandt, owner of Brandt-Roberts Galleries, has worked with Gingerich for a decade and said he has continuously found romantic and beautiful interpretations of nature.

“He has such reverence for the landscape and whether rural Ohio or in his travels, and he’s so wonderfully able to capture that with paint,” Brandt said. “I think sometimes we can get comfortable with our own surroundings, and he has a way of taking those works or those views and elevating them.”

“And all the land was swathed with color” will be on display until March 29 at Brandt-Roberts Galleries at 642 N. High St. The gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. JULIANNE KERVER | LANTERN REPORTER Artist Mark Gingerich’s “Harmony in Green and Red” is featured at Brandt-Roberts Galleries’ “And all the land was swathed with color.” Short North exhibition leaves an impression going to be tough. It’s part of student life; entertainment is part of student life.”

Knoob said he plans to renovate Big Bar, starting with the rooftop during spring break. He said he is waiting until the summer for any major renovations that will require the bar to close.

Knoob is also taking over The Little Donut Shop, situated a floor below Big Bar. He said plans are still up in the air, but his current idea is to turn it into a classy pub with craft beer and cocktails for students searching for a more relaxed drinking experience. There is no specific timeline for these changes.

Knoob began the lengthy process of transferring ownership of Bullwinkles from 1774, a corporation managed by Ted Lawson, in April 2019, according to previous Lantern reporting. Knoob took over operation in May, but the deal quickly went south, leading to a lawsuit filed by Knoob and a claim of theft. Lawson did not respond to request for comment by the time of publication. K noob said he decided to apply for his own liquor license after the relationship soured instead of waiting for the transfer process, which can take months. He said the establishment was closed for seven weeks as he waited for this new license, which was approved Thursday. In addition, Knoob said he had to work out a new lease with the landlord.

“It was a nightmare scenario with the previous guy. It just got confusing. And it was just better just to start over,” he said.

Currently, the Ohio Division of Liquor Control lists liquor licenses for both Knoob and Melissa Kampman, owner of 1774, at the address of the bar.

The Warehouse is located at 1770 N. High St. and is open Thursday through Saturday from 9 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. ’ ‘ I honestly just want a place where people go out, dance, have a good time. That’s it. Gregory Knoob WAREHOUSE FROM 6

Traveling comedians raise money for veterans COMEDY

Laughter is supporting the troops this week through the Big and Tall Comedy tour. The show will be held at the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Post 8794 in Whitehall, Ohio, Thursday, and will feature headliners Mike Bova and Ernesto “Big Ern” Galano. Local comedian Jesse Pimpinella will emcee the event. Bova said proceeds will benefit the VFW.

Bova and Galano began the Big and Tall tour in January 2018.

“I just started booking some gigs, and we’re off to the races,” Bova said. “So we’ve been doing this for over two years now. This is going on our third year of doing the tour, traveling all over the country, and now we’re on a mission raising money for veterans.” Bova and Galano perform eight to 10 shows a month, many of them at VFW posts and American Legion locations. Bova said he contacts venues, books gigs, writes contracts, helps promote the shows and performs.

“We bring in a professional show, including a nice sound system, my guitar and amplifier. We bring in a spotlight. I mean, RISHI RAJAGOPALAN Lantern reporter rajagopalan.40@osu.edu

COURTESY OF MIKE BOVA Comedian Mike Bova performs at the FunnyBone Comedy Club in Syracuse, New York, Sept. 22, 2019.

we actually bring in a professional show to the place, so it’s like going to a comedy club wherever we’re at,” Bova said.

Even at non-VFW shows, Bova said he and Galano keep veterans in mind.

“We try to contact a local VFW or American Legion, have them help us promote the show, and then in return, we will give them 10 to 20 percent of our earnings, so we’re always thinking about the vets, and always thinking about how we can raise money for them,” he said.

For this performance, ticket revenue will go to the comedians, and food and bar sales will go to the VFW, Bova said.

Along with observational humor and impressions, Bova ends every show with a half hour of musical parodies, putting new lyrics to songs by artists such as Eric Clapton and Willie Nelson. Bova even has a witty rewrite for the Kay Jewelers jingle.

“I say that my wife wants jewelry for her upcoming birthday, and I’m frugal. So every kiss begins with Kmart,” Bova said.

Bova said showgoers can expect adult humor and a lack of political correctness.

“We have this disclaimer that you’re going to hear some things that may offend you. But at the end of the day, we love everybody, no matter what race, religion or gender preference. We love everybody, we’re just trying to make you laugh,” Bova said. The show was originally going to be held at VFW Post 4044 but had to be moved after the post closed. Post 8794 has been operating since 1953 and currently has 321 members.

“This is the first time we’re actually going to get a chance to see them, and if we like what we see and it works out well, we’ll have them back,” Richard Curry, quartermaster of VFW Post 8794, said. “What we’re hoping for is really just some exposure — maybe have some opportunity to recruit some new members.”

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Thursday for the Big and Tall Comedy Tour Ohio Veterans Fundraiser at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8794, located at 4100 E. Main St. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $10 and are available both on Eventbrite and at the door. “We’ve been doing this for over two years now. This is going on our third year of doing the tour, traveling all over the country, and now we’re on a mission raising money for veterans.” —Mike Bova, comedian @thelantern

COURTESY OF JUSTIN RAIFF Junior Ben “Vortex” Friedberg scored the second goal against Utah Valley during Game 1 Jan. 26.

sionally at the time.

The trio took the league by storm, winning five series in a row in the Northern Conference playoffs to qualify for the national tournament.

“No one knew how good we were, and we took everyone by surprise and just slayed everyone up until finals,” Nikolai said.

If you’re interested in video games, don’t get discouraged because you think you’re not good enough or you won’t fit in. Don’t stop because you don’t think you’re good enough. BEN FRIEDBERG Junior Rocket League player “

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In four months, Ohio State went from being nearly unable to play in the regular season to competing for a $50,000 prize pool in the league’s grand finals.

On Dec. 10, 2017, Northeastern emerged from the loser’s bracket for a second chance against Ohio State. Both best-of-seven matches in the grand final went 4-3. This time, Northeastern won.

“Being able to get that far in my first tournament felt really good, and that kind of solidified me playing for the rest of school,” Nikolai said. “I knew I was good enough, so that tournament meant a lot.” Nikolai continued to play competitive Rocket League until this semester, when he was unsuccessful in qualifying for Collegiate Rocket League Spring 2020. Meanwhile, Friedberg took a break from competitive play after 2017.

“After that first season is really when I stopped playing, probably for nine to 12 months,” Friedberg said. “When I was playing Rocket League, I was getting kind of burnt out.”

The team expanded shortly after its first run, adding a team manager and drafting a “B team,” consisting of three alternate players to form distinct OSU Scarlet and OSU Gray units in 2018.

But neither team made it out of playoffs several seasons in a row, and Bauer moved from player to president of the Buckeye Gaming Collective after the spring 2019 season ended.

“If we had performed up to our expectations, I think I might have stayed with it. But if we’re not going to be a top team, I don’t think there’s a reason to play,” Bauer

said. “If I’m not getting them there, then they might as well try and get there on their own, and I can try to help them out.”

Now, Bauer said he helps with reviewing practice and match replays to help players improve. He said criticism is much easier to give and take when it comes from a nonteammate.

Friedberg was drawn back to the fold this past fall though, joining OSU Scarlet with new teammates under BGC. “What made me come back was I missed competing so much. I love competing, and this was the game that I put so much time into and was so good at,” Friedberg said.

Freidberg and OSU Scarlet missed the playoffs Feb. 23, while Nikolai and OSU Gray failed to qualify for the league altogether. Nikolai said he is spending the rest of the semester without the pressure of competing as he helps underclassmen improve their games.

“I think it’s about giving younger guys more experience now, so trying to build up the next squad that’s gonna be here for a few years,” Nikolai said. “The focus isn’t really on me. It’s more on making OSU Rocket League better next year and the next years after that, too.”

Friedberg said it’s enjoyable to think about a time when there were only three players who hoped that when it was time to graduate, there would be others to continue playing on the team after them. The focus isn’t really on me. It’s more on making OSU Rocket League better next year and the next years after that, too. AARON NIKOLAI Senior Rocket League player “

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10 | The Lantern | Tuesday, March 3, 2020

How Rocket League blasted off at Ohio State

AARON LIEN Lantern reporter lien.47@osu.edu

Less than three years ago, Ben Friedberg, Aaron Nikolai and Jimmy Bauer were strangers at Ohio State, but they had one thing in common: Rocket League.

The soccer-inspired video game not only brought them together, but garnered them a $9,000 reward –– the first time any of them had earned a monetary prize for gaming –– and set the standard for the growing Rocket League esports community at Ohio State.

“If you’re interested in video games, don’t get discouraged because you think you’re not good enough or you won’t fit in,” Friedberg, a junior at Ohio State, said. “Don’t stop because you don’t think you’re good enough.” Ohio State missed out on a chance to be represented in Atlanta for the Final Four Fan Fest –– and a $75,000 prize pool –– this year, but in December 2017, Ohio State players competed remotely from personal computers in their bedrooms during the grand finals of Collegiate Rocket League’s first season.

Ohio State won nearly $10,000 in a second-place finish to Northeastern, but hasn’t attained that level of success since. Once the fall 2020 semester begins, Friedberg, who plays by the name “Vortex,” will be the only person remaining from the team’s original roster.

Bauer, known as “Jbob,” initially failed to qualify for the Collegiate Rocket League in fall 2017 with his original team, but he still had one final date to meet the mark.

Bauer had to assemble a new squad though, and linked up with Nikolai –– known as “KiiNGz” –– through a signup page set up by Ohio State’s esports initiative. The pair searched other avenues for a third member to complete the team.

Bauer said he visited the Twitch stream of popular professional player “Jacob” to ask if there were any high-level players at Ohio State. He was referred to Friedberg, who as a freshman nearly qualified to play profesESPORTS CONTINUES ON 9

COURTESY OF JUSTIN RAIFF Junior Ben “Vortex” Friedberg (right) sits with OSU Scarlet teammates sophomore Kevin “Slepy” Higgins and sophomore Justin “Maseter” Raiff.

highlight, as he pulled down a similar ball with a defender draped over him on the opposite sideline minutes later.

Smith-Njigba is one of Ohio State’s four top 16 receivers –– headlined by Julian Fleming –– in this recruiting cycle, and Day said he was impressed by each of their FOOTBALL FROM 12

performances Monday.

“I think all four of them really have a chance to play and be successful,” Day said. “Now they have a long way to go, but for Day One, better than expected.”

But the newcomers didn’t steal all the shine from returning members of the receiving corps.

Sophomore Garrett Wilson was a scarlet blur, flashing to the end zone on several occasions, regardless of who was passing him the ball when matched up with defensive backs in one-on-one drills.

Junior cornerback Sevyn Banks intercepted two passes for a depleted Buckeye secondary while junior cornerbacks Wade and

GRIFFIN STROM | SPORTS EDITOR Ohio State freshman quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) participates in drills during spring practice March 2.

Cameron Brown were limited and junior safety Josh Proctor was unavailable.

“He’s got to step up. It’s only two months since we played our last game, and we’ll see once we get through the spring if he’s willing to take that next step,” Day said, referring to Banks.

Sophomore offensive lineman Harry Miller entered as a five-star prospect at center this past season, but with redshirt junior Josh Myers returning after a second team All-Big Ten campaign at the position, Harry Miller lined up at guard in practice.

Day said the move was about getting the best five players on the field, and said he expects “big things” from Harry Miller heading into this season.

“The ability for him to now go from guard to center is really good, so I think he’s going to be the next really good one in terms of the Elfleins and the Corey Linsleys and the Billy Prices,” Day said.

Day said 2019 standouts junior cornerback Jeff Okudah and junior running back J.K. Dobbins were “younger players” during the spring practice period a season ago, but springboarded into leadership roles as a result of stellar play.

There will be nearly six weeks of work for this season’s Buckeyes to do the same thing ahead of the Spring Game April 11.

watched me coach as a young kid, and I end up having the opportunity to coach him.”

The two were officially introduced to each other at the end of Harrison’s eighth-grade year. Harrison began working with Ruffin –– now a volunteer coach at University of Maryland –– and eventually became a staple for the St. John’s College High School track and field team in Washington, D.C.

The relationship did not flourish immediately, however.

“We kind of had a disagreement a little bit as far as the type of runner I was,” Harrison said. “He assumed I would be a 400 [meter dash] runner, not really knowing me that well. He put me in a sprint event at a track meet, and I blew him away.”

From that moment on, the two were on the same page on and off the track. Ruffin allowed Harrison to stay true to his roots and developed him as a sprinter.

The speedster was graced with raw talent that his coach said he saw in him early on.

“Eric had all the ability in the world when I first met him,” Ruffin said. “I knew he had something working with him.”

Ruffin did not let Harrison’s talent go to his head, though. During practices, there would be instances in which Harrison became sidetracked, and Ruffin was right there to zero him in.

“When it was time to focus he would always say, ‘Eric, focus. Eric is like a son. We developed something really close. ALONZO RUFFIN Former St. John’s High School track and field coach “

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COURTESY OF ALONZO RUFFIN Alonzo Ruffin, a high school track coach, served as a father figure to Ohio State junior sprinter Eric Harrison.

Eric, focus,’” Harrison said. “I had a lot of friends on the team, and he wanted me to be able to separate myself so that I could compete at a high stage.”

A typical week for St. John’s track consisted of practice every day but Wednesday. Despite the day off, though, Harrison and Ruffin would still talk with each other as they did every day at practice.

The topic of conversation was rarely about coaching.

“Believe it or not, we talked little about [track and field]. I gave him a lot of life stories of what I went through and tried to make sure he didn’t screw things up with his life,” Ruffin said. “I would tell him a lot of stories that were not true that my coach told me that scared the hell out of me, and I did the same with Eric.” Ruffin’s resume includes training retired NFL linebacker Ray Lewis, retired NFL wide receiver Brandon Stokley and NBA center DeMarcus Cousins.

Ruffin has also served as a speed consultant for the Baltimore Ravens, Army football and the USA Gymnastics team. He is the founder, owner and director of Accelerate Your Game, an agility and speed training company based in Columbia, Maryland. “When you get to this level –– high school and college –– I feel like it’s necessary to have somebody that’s experienced what it’s like and can be hands on,” Harrison said. “Coach Alonzo and coach Joel [Brown] are both similar in that area. They can show me what I’m doing wrong instead of just telling me.”

In high school, Harrison took full advantage of Ruffin’s handson coaching approach, compiling impressive results for himself. In 2016, Harrison was a member of the National Scholastic Athletics Foundation team that traveled to Cuba to compete in international competition. He followed that up with a 2017 campaign that featured a District of Columbia State Athletic Association Indoor Track and Field state championship in the 55-meter dash and 300-meter dash and was named a New Balance Indoor All-American.

This caught the attention of Ohio State assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Joel Brown. “When we look at athletes, we don’t only look at results and times, but we look at the ability to go out there and compete,” Brown said. “A lot of times, people talk about being state champions and local champions in their respective state, but when you can go compete against all the kids in the country, it’s a whole different story.”

Now in his third season at Ohio State, Harrison has done just that. He has been named a first team All-American and c o m p e t e d for Team USA in the U20 World Championships.

D e s p i t e his success, he’s never fo r g o t t e n where he came from. He said he maint ains c o n t a c t with Ruffin and his family to this day. H a r r i s o n said it’s not as frequent a n y m o r e , however, in part because of Ruffin’s focus on his daughter Amanda’s success as a high school track and field athlete at Glenelg Country High School.

“Me and coach Alonzo still talk at least once every other month,” Harrison said. “Me and [Ruffin’s son] A.J. talk all the time, so if I don’t hear from coach Alonzo, I’ll hear from A.J.”

Ruffin said he cherishes his time with Harrison.

“My son graduated, and I chose not to leave St. John’s. People were like, ‘Oh, your son finished there. You’re leaving.’ Well, I wasn’t going to leave Eric because he’s like my son,” Ruffin said.

At the end of Harrison’s senior season, Ruffin stepped down as head coach of the St. John’s track and field team, a memory that Ruffin said is one of his favorites during his time with Harrison. “The last day, when I told everyone I wasn’t returning, he and I just hugged each other really tight,” Ruffin said.

The two were attached at the hip from 2013 to ’17. Despite their i n i t i a l differences, Ruffin served as a father figure to Harrison, getting on his case when necessary and s h a p i n g him into the athlete and man he is today.

“There’s n o t h i n g really for him to coach me on at this point. He just makes sure I’m good mentally, kind of like a second dad,” Harrison said. ” Believe it or not, we talked little about [track and field]. I gave him a lot of life stories of what I went through and tried to make sure he didn’t screw things up with his life. I would tell him a lot of stories that were not true that my coach told me that scared the hell out of me, and I did the same with Eric. ALONZO RUFFIN Former St. John’s High School track and field coach “