College Football 150: Celebrating the good in the game

Celebrating THE GOOD IN THE GAME

College Football celebrates its 150 th anniversary with a special presentation of OHIO vs. Miami

A SP E C IA L PR ODU C T I ON OF

10. 29. 2019

THIS SPECIAL SECTION IS A PRODUCTION OF THE POST

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ELLEN WAGNER SPORTS EDITORS MATT PARKER ANTHONY POISAL CONTRIBUTORS ELI FEAZELL ZACH ZIMMERMAN DESIGN & LAYOUT RILEE LOCKHART ADVERTISING MICHAEL HILLIARD

1 PARK PLACE, ROOM 325 EDITOR@THEPOSTATHENS.COM PHONE | 740.593.4010

COLLEGE FOOTBALL 150: THE GOOD IN THE GAME IS A PRODUCTION OF

THE

POST

ONLINE thepostathens.com FACEBOOK thepostathens TWITTER @ThePost INSTAGRAM @thepostathens IN PERSON Baker Center, Room 325 ONLINE thepostathens.com/letters

BY EMAIL letters@thepostathens.com

The Post is an independent media outlet run by Ohio University students.

We distribute the paper free of charge in Athens, Ohio, when classes are in session. Editorial page material represents the opinions of the editors, columnists and letter writers. Opinions expressed are independent of Ohio University and our printer.

FRONT DESK HOURS 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Monday through Friday.

Closed Saturday and Sunday.

1 Park Place Baker University Center, Room 325 Athens, OH 45701 (740) 593-4010

Advertisement Policies

Get on the list!

The Post will not print advertising that violates local, state or federal laws.

The Post will not run advertisements that violate the Fair Housing Act, or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission policies. The Post reserves the right to reject advertising deemed to adversely affect the integrity and

credibility of the publication or be in conflict with the educational mission of the university or community it serves. The Post retains the right, at its discretion, to approve or reject an advertisement that negatively affects the relationship with our readers or that promotes content, services, or activities

that violate our advertising policy.

If an error occurs, and an advertisement is published not as ordered, please notify The Post by the end of the business day following publication, a corrected advertisement will run without charge in the next print edition. Cancellation requests

for advertising must be received and acknowledged by staff no later than 2:00 pm on Wednesday for the Thursday print edition. Refunds will not be given for ads that have been printed. These advertising policy rules can be changed at any time without prior notification.

THE INDEPENDENT VOICE ON CAMPUS Keeping you informed online daily

thepostathens.com

Don’t miss our weekly print edition each Thursday 2 / COLLEGE FOOTBALL 150 TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

2 / COLLEGE FOOTBALL 150TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

The birth of college football: the first game that led to a legacy 150 years ago Princeton and Rutgers played the first game in what would be come to known as college football ELI FEAZELL

T

he College Avenue Gymnasium in New Brunswick, New Jersey seems like a typical collegiate recreation site. Located on the College Avenue campus for Rutgers University, its appearance may not suggest anything of massive historical relevance.

While students participate in recreational sports and some NCAA programs in the gymnasium, or “The Barn,” as Rutgers students call it, they are ac-

tually standing directly above the field that changed American sports 150 years ago.

On Nov. 6, 1869, Rutgers, going with the Queensmen mascot instead of the Scarlet Knights, hosted the Tigers of New Jersey for the first collegiate game of American Football.

If one were to travel back in time and watch the game for themselves, they may never guess that the game being played on College Avenue was American Football.

There was no carrying and throwing of the ball (which was a soccer ball). There were two teams of 25, and teams scored only by kicking the ball into their opponent’s goal. The game bared more of a resemblance to soccer or rugby.

Rutgers College, dressed in scarlet turbans and handkerchiefs, hosted the College of New Jersey — now Princeton University — for what was the first of what was planned to be a three-game season between the two teams. There was no game clock being used that day; instead, ten “games” were played, and each game ended after a goal was scored. The team with the most games won after 10 was declared the overall victor.

Each team set up one of their players near the goal to act as a goalkeeper, similar to how one is used in soccer, although they still couldn’t carry the ball. The teams also used “fielders” who acted as defenders, as well as “bulldogs” on offense. Rutgers was led by captain William J. Leggett; New Jersey’s captain was William Gummere.

Rutgers got off to a quick start, scoring in the first two games to take a 2-0 lead. New Jersey, however, countered the Queensmen’s “f lying wedge” strategy, which involved players forming a “wall” and charging at the defenders. The teams were tied after the next two games, with a score of 2-2.

Going in the ninth game, the score was once again tied at 4-4. Starting in the ninth game, Leggett came up with a strategy to take advantage of his team’s size disadvantage versus New Jersey.

He told his players to keep the ball low on the

ground to make it more difficult for the taller New Jersey players to kick the ball.

The plan was successful, and Rutgers scored in the final two games and defeated New Jersey 6-4.

Following the game, the poor New Jersey players were run out of town by Rutgers students, quickly beg inning their trip back to their own campus.

According to NJ.com, one Rutgers professor yelled, “you will come to no Christian end!”

The end of the first game kickstarted what many consider to be the first “rivalry” in college football. For Rutgers, the game ended up being a glorifying moment 150 years later. New Jersey was left with a bitter taste in its mouth for the next few days.

The pain didn’t last too long for the Tigers. One week later, New Jersey had its revenge when it hosted Rutgers for the second and final game of the 1869 college football season. The rules to this game were a bit different: a “free kick” was granted to each team that managed to catch an airborne ball.

New Jersey could now take advantage of their size more than in the first game, and it won 8-0. The third and final game of the season was cancelled before it could be played, leaving both teams with a final record of 1-1. Rutgers and New Jersey were both named co-champions of the 1869 season.

Ever since that first game was played, football has been played by millions of people, enjoyed by even more fans and has expanded into popularity seemingly impossible.

Not only do tens of thousands of student athletes currently work hard to play at the college level, but the game is also represented with recreation, junior high and high school teams. Of course, most sports fans know of the professional leagues such as the National Football League, the Canadian Football League and other organizations all around the globe.

All of this started with a game between two schools unaware of the history that they’re now a part of.

ILLUSTRATIONS BY RILEE LOCKHART THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 3

THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 3

Presidential support: Nellis supports Ohio University football as a source of leadership

Julie Cromer, Frank Solich, and Duane Nellis take pride in the impact football has on community, campus, and alumni ZACH ZIMMERMAN

Every top notch university in America has quality leadership. The same is true with the best athletic departments across the country.

Whether the teams at a university are most impacted by the coaches or the athletic director can vary. Luckily, football coach Frank Solich and first year athletic director Julie Cromer provide great leadership. It’s always important for all teams, however, to have a university president that not only cares, but understands the importance of athletics at ones school and community.

The Bobcats are particularly lucky to have a president that understands the importance of football on campus, around the community and with the university alumni as much as Duane Nellis.

“Sports events, just like activities including concerts, theater and other performances, bring people from different walks of life together,” Nellis said. “Our community is united in a crowd, cheering for the Bobcats and being moved by an athletic performance just as they are by a musical performance or by becoming emotionally invested in a musical or play. These shared experiences can have a very positive impact on the campus, the entire community and our international alumni base.”

Nellis takes great pride in having a football program that has such a positive impact not only on the field, but also throughout the community.

“Our student-athletes have an extremely positive impact by representing the university with pride, taking part in community service programs and serving as leaders,” Nellis said. “We want to win on the field, but wins and losses do not define the impact made by our football program or our other sports programs. I emphasize the positive impact of all of the outstanding students we have in our football program, along with the outstanding students we have in all of our sports programs. I am always impressed at how well our students do not just in their respective sports but in their academic pursuits, as well, and then how they excel in their careers after they graduate.”

Nellis, who assumed office as President of Ohio University in June 2017, has previously served as President of Texas Tech University and University of Idaho, as well as having served administrative roles at Kansas State University and West Virginia University. All four of these schools have Division I football programs that have had success in the past. Over the course of Nellis’ tenure at Ohio , the football team has a total record of 20-12, including wins at the Bahamas Bowl and the Frisco Bowl. He understands that leadership is key to having a solid program.

“I’m very happy with our football program, and we always want to keep improving,” Nellis said. “Obviously, we would like to win a MAC Championship and that is our goal on the field every year. In addition, we want to keep improving our program in order to continue to help our student-athletes grow as students, people and leaders.

This is something we work on in programs across our university. As for the football program’s relationship with the TH 4 150 EDITION TH ANNIVERSARY 4 // COLLEGE COLLEGEFOOTBALL FOOTBALL 150ANNIVERSARY EDITION

Photo courtesy of OHIO Athletics.

community, our athletics department is not something that is separate from the rest of the university. All of our units are in various ways integrated within Ohio University, and we want the football program to be very involved in the university community, just as we do with all of our programs.”

Nellis has had experience being involved in college football in the past. While at Idaho, he served as a member of the BCS Presidential Oversight Committee, the group that was tasked with coming up with a new system to replace the Bowl Championship Series. With the help of Nellis, they created the current four team playoff setup.

“I was honored to be a part of the BCS Presidential Committee, and I learned a great deal from the experience. It is amazing to see the impact that football has on college campuses and communities around the country,” Nellis said. “It’s a wonderful way for alumni and students to gather, along with community members and fans, for a fun afternoon or evening event. And here at Ohio University, where we have an outstanding atmosphere for college football and the Most Exciting Band in the Land, it makes the football games even more important to so many people. Football also creates positive visibility for the university nationally through the national broadcast of games. The fact that we are celebrating the 150th anniversary of college football at home on Nov. 6 is tremendous visibility for our football team and Ohio University.

We really hope everyone comes out to celebrate this momentous occasion.”

He has also worked to make improvements for the athletic department. He hired Cromer, a former senior deputy athletics director at the University of Arkansas, this past summer to replace Jim Schaus, who left to become commissioner of the Southern Conference. The hiring of Cromer has shown to be so far so good as she has introduced her “100 day plan” to “immerse herself into the cul-

ture within the Ohio athletic department,” including the football program.

Nellis understands that it is important to have quality leadership, which he has in Cromer and Solich, as well as to work with them closely.

“I work closely with Julie Cromer, who is working to grow and improve all of our athletic programs,” Nellis said.

“She just got started at Ohio University this summer, and I am confident that she will have a very positive impact.

Athletics Director Cromer, Coach Solich and I also occasionally interact with the community and with athletic donors to discuss the impact of athletics on our community and university.

“I am so thankful for the leadership of Julie Cromer, Frank Solich and our other coaches and administrators.

We want all of our student-athletes to be leaders with strong character, and they are able to see positive examples of this every day with our coaches and administrators, along with the faculty and staff members they work with all across Ohio University.”

President Nellis will continue to strive to improve the football program, the culture of the program and its relationship with the Ohio community. He sees a bright future for the athletic program and believes it is headed in the right direction in all of these aspects. “We took the important step earlier this year of hiring Julie Cromer, who is doing an excellent job leading all of our athletic programs.

This is an important time for higher education, and we have put together our Fearlessly First strategic framework and initiatives that will guide us as we move forward toward a bright future as an institution, and that includes our athletics department,” Nellis said. “Our football program is headed in the right direction, and I am lookingforward to seeing more victories on the field and continued success from our student-athletes in the classroom, in their careers and in their lives after college.”

Pigskin pioneers 125 years of football at Ohio University

Photo reprinted from The Athena Yearbook, 1922.

ELI FEAZELL There was once a time in Ohio University history in which there was no Peden Stadium, no Bobcat mascot, no Marching 110 and no part of the rich tradition that students in Athens practice every fall when they cheer on their green and white dressed football team.

As the 19th century came to a close, Ohio football began.

In 1892, the Athletic League of Ohio Colleges was formed and consisted of four teams: Ohio University, Otterbein College, Wittenberg University and Marietta College. The schools formed their own football teams, with Ohio choosing H.R. Higley as its captain and coach. Soon after, the league dissolved, and no football games were ever played within it.

Ohio’s football program, however, remained intact.

It wasn’t until two years later that Ohio played its first official game against another college team. In 1894, Marietta College came into Athens for what was Ohio’s only game played that year.

Aside from obvious rule differences, the scenario was quite different for Ohio that year compared to an average game day in 2019.

The magnitude of the game was on a much smaller scale than what is seen today, and the team was considered to be independent, rather than part of the Mid-American Conference (which wasn’t even established yet). Ohio fell to Marietta 8-0, and it was left with an 0-1 record on the 1894 season.

It wasn’t until the 1895 season when

Ohio won its first game. Under head coach Harvey Derne, the team played five games on the season, with its first wins coming against Parkersburg High School and Lancaster High School. The three losses came to Ohio Wesleyan and twice to Marietta College.

A lot has changed for Ohio since its inaugural games. It’s now a Division I Football Bowl Subdivison team and is one of the most storied teams in the Mid-American Conference. It has established two rivalries against the Miami Redhawks and Marshall Thundering Herd. The team has been to twelve total bowl games, with a 4-8 overall record.

In the 125 years since the original 1894 season, Ohio has won over 500 games and five total MAC Championships since joining the conference in

1946. With the Bobcats mascot (introduced in 1960), the team now currently calls Peden Stadium its home. Peden Stadium was named after the legendary head coach Don Peden, who led the team from 1924 – 1946.

As of the 2019 season, the Bobcats are led by head coach Frank Solich, who is currently on his 15th season with the team. On Nov. 6, Solich will lead his team against rival Miami on the night of the 150th anniversary of the first official college football game ever played.

The game that Ohio hosts against Miami will be the only matchup played that nigh and will be broadcasted on ESPN. It will be a one-of-a-kind game for both teams, and it could potentially be another highlight in histor y for the Bobcats.

THEPOSTATHENS.COM //77 THEPOSTATHENS.COM

OHIO UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL TIMELINE

START HERE Ohio University hires Don Peden to be the football coach. Over the next 21 season, Peden would compile a 121-46-11 record. His teams would see three undefeated seasons and win four Buckeye Athletic Association championships. The legendary Peden would eventually have the stadium named after him.

1894 1924

The first ever Ohio University football game was played in Athens. Marietta College defeated the Bobcats by a score of 8-0.

Peden Stadium is built, initially being named Ohio Stadium. Peden Stadium still serves 1929 as the iconic home of Bobcat football, the Marching 110, and the O-Zone.

1953

Under coach Carroll Widdoes, the Bobcats win their first every MAC championship, with a 6-2-1 record (5-0-1 MAC).

Ohio U hire Bill Hess as their new coach. Hess, who would go on to coach for 19 years, compiled a 108-91-4 record, as well as four MAC championships and one claimed national championship.

1958 The Bobcats go a perfect 10-0.

Running back Robert Brooks and two-way player Dick Grecni lead OU to a claimed national championship.

1943 Bobcat football is interrupted by World War II, with Ohio U not fielding a team either of those years.

1960

1946 Don Peden retires as an Ohio University legend.

1962 Hess leads Ohio U to the Sun Bowl, their first ever bowl game.

They would lose to West Texas State 15-14.

ELI FEAZELL ZACH ZIMMERMAN Photos courtesy of OHIO Athletics.

ILLUSTRATIONS BY RILEE LOCKHART

8 / COLLEGE FOOTBALL 150TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

8 / COLLEGE FOOTBALL 150 TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

1967 1963 The Bobcats win their second MAC championship.

After a rough stint that lasted three years, the Bobcats bounced back and won their third MAC championship.

Ohio U finishes with a perfect 10-0 record, wins it’s fourth MAC championship and second in a row, and receives an invitation to the Tangerine Bowl. The explosive offense scored 418 points in 11 games. The Bobcats also made an appearance in the top 20 rankings.

1968

Bill Hess passes away after battling cancer.

1978

Ohio hires Jim Grobe.

Grobe implemented a triple-option scheme that proved to be successful over his six years at OU. The Bobcats scored over 300 points in both 1996 and 1997, with quarterback Kareem Wilson winning the 1996 MAC offensive player of the year, and fullback Steveland Hoofkin became Ohio’s all time rushing leader.

Grobe would go on to coach at Wake Forest and lead them to the BCS in 2006.

1995

Frank Solich becomes the new coach of the Bobcats. Solich had spent over 20 years at Nebraska as a player and coach, having led them to the national championship at the 2002 Rose Bowl.

Solich’s first game was a 16-10 win at home against Pitt.

2005

2012 2011

Ohio wins the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.

The Bobcats beat Penn State in a prime time nationally televised broadcast. They start out the season 7-0, reaching 23rd in the polls. They would go on to win the Independence Bowl.

2017

Ohio wins the Bahamas Bowl.

2018

Ohio wins the Frisco Bowl.

2006 The Bobcats win their first MAC East Division title.

2009 The 9-3 Bobcats win their second MAC East Division title.

2019 The Bobcats have been bowl eligible for the past 10 years, dating back to 2009.

THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 9

THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 9

Photos courtesy of The Post.

THEN & NOW

The Marching 110: A college football institution

ELI FEAZELL

I

n 1923, a student named Homer Baird at Ohio University thought that something was missing from the athletic life for the Bobcats.

Ohio had a football team established for over a decade at this point, but what it didn’t have was a marching band to go along with it. W hen Baird gathered over 40 musicians at Ewing Hall to form a band, it went on to change football game days in Athens forever.

Whenever OU students attend football games, it’s impossible not to take notice of the Ohio University Marching Band, or as it’s more commonly known, the Marching 110.

Not only does “The Most Exciting Band in the Land” consistently put on impressive pregame and halftime shows, but it can often be heard in bits during the game, whether it be in between plays, following a turnover or after the Bobcats score a touchdown.

What the viewers in the stands may not realize is the deep history and far reaching influence that the band has had throughout its long history.

The Marching 110 comes from humble beginnings.

Its first director, Raymond Connett, was a local instrument teacher who led the band with no pay. There was just enough money in the budget to buy about 30 blue coats and white caps, while the band members were in charge of buying their own white pants.

“Fortunately, we had at least 25 top-notch musicians and the others were coming along fine.” Baird said, according to Marching110.com, When the band raised enough money to travel with the football team to a game against rival Ohio Wesleyan during its Homecoming, the fans of the opposing team were quoted with saying that Ohio’s marching TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION 10 FOOTBALL150 150 TH 10 // COLLEGE COLLEGE FOOTBALL ANNIVERSARY EDITION

band was the best that they saw on their field all year.

W hile the band has gone through many changes that continue to define it today, 1967 is seen as arguably the most important turning point in the band’s history.

Gene Thrailkill took over as the team’s director, and while he made some controversial changes, he is also credited with establishing the culture seen in the present program.

Thrailkill is known for introducing the tough energy seen in the band today, and renamed the team to the “100 Marching Men of Ohio.” The following year, the band was called the “110 Marching Men of Ohio.”

Like a football team, the Marching 110 has a relent-

less attitude to always give top notch performances.

“The work ethic is something that I’ve never experienced anywhere else,” said Josh Green, a junior in the band. “We all put in 110% effort into everything that we do.”

Many traditions started in the late 1960s are still present in the band today. The song “Stand Up and Cheer” was first introduced, and the Alma Mater was changed and given a new introduction.

These iconic songs have since been heard every football season to this day.

Every year, especially during Ohio’s Homecoming weekend, the current band members are visited by hundreds of alumni. Along with the performances at

the parade and football game, the alumni visits make Homecoming a special time for the Marching 110, and the weekend shows off how the band is one big family to its members.

“A lot of the time it’s not just about the music, it’s about the people,” Green said.

Members of the band often refer to Homecoming as “Christmas.” For them, it’s the most wonderful time of the year.

While the Marching 110 is a crucial part of Ohio University’s culture, their influence also spreads to outside of Athens.

Its hard-working attitude and talent has helped the band land opportunities to perform in NFL games, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parades, Good Morning America, Bill Clinton’s 1993 inaugural parade and annual shows at Carnegie Hall in New York.

“It’s really cool seeing the crowd’s reaction to our type of band and style of music,” Green said.

One moment that stands out in particular was when the band performed in a halftime show for the first New York Giants game following the September 11 attacks.

The Marching 110 has also performed outside of

OHIO U STUDENTS!

L A I C E P S T H G I (ATHENS) LATE N a

740-594-7272 @PJAthens "LIKE" our page and Follow Us for more great specials

Not Valid with any other offer. Valid at Athens, Ohio location only. Customer pays all applicable sales tax. Additional toppings extra. Delivery Charge extra.

P g n i p p o -T 1 e g Lar

izz

the US. It’s performed in Dublin, Ireland, and in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City. In 2020, the band plans to travel to Japan.

The Ohio University Marching Band will always be a defining part of game day for the Bobcats. For most Ohio fans, it’s hard to imagine ever attending a football game without the accompaniment of the beloved Marching 110. To the average student, it may just seem like a group of very talented and hardworking musicians.

To the performers, the Marching 110 is a family and a program that will create memories to last a lifetime.

Visit the

Hair, Nails, & Tanning

Specialists

Call or Book online TODAY

740.589.7212

8966 United Lane · Athens

NOW OFFERING Eyelash Extensions!

thehairstudio1.com

6.99

$

after 9pm

THEPOSTATHENS.COM 11 THEPOSTATHENS.COM // 11

T.J. Carrie gives back Former OU cornerback dedicates time to giving encouragement to student athletes ELI FEAZELL Photos courtesy of The Cleveland Browns.

T

.J. Carrie walks off the Cleveland Browns’ practice field every day and sits for a few minutes to think to himself.

He looks at the scar running down the middle of his chest, which reminds him of all the work and sacrifice he put in in order to become who he is now.

For a long time, that scar discouraged Carrie. It was big, and he was reminded of it every day.

Now, the cornerback holds a sense of hope from his scar. To Carrie, it’s a wound that allows him to understand what it took to get where he is standing, which is a place that seemed almost impossible for him to reach just over a decade ago.

Carrie grew up in a football family.

His fi rst experience with the game was when he worked as a water boy and ball boy for his older brothers’ teams. After those days, Carrie had a passion that never left him.

“Growing up in that type of environment, it just really kept my eye focused on playing football,” Carrie said. “It was all I wanted to do.”

An athletic career comes easy to no one, but Carrie had to face a few extra hurdles. When he was just 15 years old, Carrie was diagnosed with a rare birth defect that caused his coronary artery

TH 12// COLLEGE FOOTBALL150 150 ANNIVERSARY EDITION 12 COLLEGE FOOTBALL ANNIVERSARY EDITION

TH

to develop in between his lungs, and it was impossible for him to play football in the state he was in.

He had two options: live with the way he was and never play football, or go through open-heart surgery for a chance to return to the game.

Carrie took the risk.

He was forced to sit out games with limited practice time before fi nally getting an opportunity to play his senior year. That season, he won the California state championship with De LaSalle and was voted to the First Team All-Conference. Despite his success, college teams didn’t give him much interest.

“Who’s going to take a kid that’s had open-heart surgery at the age of 16?” was just one of many discouraging things that Carrie was told.

His physical condition was still a setback, and he had to deal with all those struggles while trying to maintain solid grades and get into college.

Carrie got his chance from one program: Ohio. He played four seasons in Athens before the biggest day of his life

arrived on the third day of the 2014 NFL Draft, when he was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the seventh round.

He made it to the pros, but the fi ght wasn’t over yet.

“Though I had made it, I felt like I hadn’t made it yet,” Carrie said. “I felt like there was still more work to do. For a slight moment, I felt like everything that I had worked for and tried to accomplish had happened. In that next moment, it was, ‘Now that it’s happened, what do you do from here?’”

Carrie is still living his professional dream in Cleveland. He hasn’t forgotten where he comes from, and he wants to give all the help he can to the program that gave him a chance. For him, it isn’t limited to donating money — he also gives back time.

“Time is something that none of us can get back, and if you can give it to the community, that is something that is priceless,” Carrie said. “Being a resource, calling up there and saying that ‘I’m in this profession. Here’s my number. If any kids or students want to pur-

NOW LEASING 2020 - 2021 PRIME CAMPUS LOCATIONS

Featured Proper t

sue the same career, they can call me anytime.’”

Carrie tries to meet with as many student athletes as possible, including those who have gone through similar procedures that he went through. He wants to give them an abundance of encouragement throughout their recoveries and build relationships with youth and teens. Carrie knows how priceless those things are.

When Carrie hosts football camps for kids, it creates more leadership capabilities for himself. He feels that it is his duty to inspire youth around him, and he wants kids to remember him as a motivational source.

It isn’t about glory to himself. It’s about letting people know there are others in the world who care about the progressions they make in life.

Support systems helped Carrie reach the pros. When it appeared that his football dreams could never come to fruition when he was in high school, Carrie looked to those around him.

“I’m thankful,” Carrie said. “None of

what I’ve accomplished nowadays could have been done without outside support systems that I’ve had throughout the years.”

Carrie knows, however, that even with a support system, it’s all on the shoulders of the individual to put in hard work and sacrifices to get themselves where they want to be. He’s confident that anyone with that perspective can achieve anything in the world.

To Carrie, one’s worth is up to oneself.

“Only you know your worth,” Carrie said. “As a person, only you know what you’re capable of doing, and the work that you’re willing to put in, and the sacrifices that you’re willing to make.”

Thirteen years after his surgery, Carrie views his scar with pride. When he sees kids with similar marks on their bodies, he wants them to be encouraged by their “war wounds.”

He knows that it has the potential to bring its bearers down, but if they are willing to attack and face it, Carrie sees potential for it to inspire them based off

1 to 6

BEDROOM

units available

}

ies

Palmer • Hocking • Stewart Milliron • Coss E. Union • W. Washington W. State • Franklin

BobcatRentals.net 740-594-4441

info@BobcatRentals.net | 86 N Court Street THEPOSTATHENS.COM 13 THEPOSTATHENS.COM // 13

Building the home of the Bobcats Peden Stadium’s construction and expansion throughout the years ZACH ZIMMERMAN

14 / COLLEGE FOOTBALL 150TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

14 / COLLEGE FOOTBALL 150TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

Photos courtesy of OHIO Athletics.

T

where are few things more satisfying than walking into your home stadium on a Saturday afternoon during football season. The cool breeze in the air, the leaves have changed colors, the smell of the concession stands and the sound of the Marching 110 fi lls the air as you make your way toward your seat in a packed audience. You get fi red up along with the rest of the crowd as the Bobcats run out onto the field ahead of another game.

Yes, game day has arrived.

And there is no place that provides the tradition, excitement and home-field advantage for game day quite like Peden Stadium.

Peden Stadium has served as the Bobcats’ home since 1929. It is one of the oldest stadiums in college football and is the oldest in the Mid-American Conference. So old, in fact, it was designated as an official Ohio Historical site.

Sitting along the Hocking River, the 27,000-seat stadium is considered one of the more picturesque venues in college football. Originally named Ohio Stadium, not to be confused with Ohio State’s home field, the name was changed after the retiring of legendary coach Don Peden, who had a 121-46-11 record over 21

seasons, back in 1946.

Though the stadium still resembles the original, oldschool, classic design, it has undergone many changes over the years. When it was originally built, it only seated 12,000 spectators. The fi rst-ever game played in Peden was a 14-0 victory against archrival Miami.

Along with the overall seating capacity being increased in 1986 and 2000, Peden Tower was also built in 1990. Sitting on the stadium’s west side, it holds press boxes, suites, offices, the OU locker room and more.

And, the current scoreboard was added to the south endzone in 2017, the same year that the stadium began selling beer, catching up with other MAC schools.

There are hidden commodities in Peden as well. The Carrin Center, located on the ground level of Peden, is a great example, holding a strength and conditioning facility for the football team.

Ohio has had a history of success while Peden has been used as its home stadium. The Bobcats have won 11 conference titles and plenty of regular season games. After a 10-0 season in 1960, the Bobcats were named the small college national champions. In recent memory, Ohio has won four division titles. Ohio teams have managed to make bowl games 12 times while

NEW TEAM

OLD SCHOOL O H I O B O C AT S B A S K E T B A L L

playing at Peden.

Peden Stadium has also been utilized in ways other than for football. It has served as the home of the Marching 110, who provide electrifying performances for the fans.

The stadium has been utilized for academic use as well. The Perry and Sandy Sook Academic Center was completed last year, holding classrooms and offices for the usage of Ohio students.

Peden Stadium has been the location of significant non-sports related events as well. Presidents Dwight Eisenhower and Lyndon B. Johnson have visited the stadium.

Peden has had many memorable moments over the years. From the Don Peden era to the more recent MAC East titles, from Frank Solich’s fi rst win with Ohio in a 16-10 overtime thriller against Pitt to the rise of one of the greatest MAC quarterbacks ever in Nathan Rourke, fans have had plenty to cheer about.

Ohio plays arch-rival Miami at home on Wednesday, Nov. 6 this year. There is a big push to sell out Peden Stadium for The Battle of the Bricks as this game could potentially have major implications on the outcome of the Mid-American Conference standings.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

SEASON TICKETS

ON SALE NOW

SEASON TICKET PACKS STARTING AS LOW AS $40 PER SEAT

O H I O B O B C AT S . C O M THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 15

THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 15

PRIME LOCATIONS

Who wants

A PRIVATE YARD, LARGE DECK or PORCH with MANY EXTRAS? CLOSE TO CAMPUS & UPTOWN PLUS NO HIDDEN FEES & OFF-STREET PARKING? Amenities you will love at lease rates you deserve.

450

$ as low as

www.ourentals.com 740.594.9098

per person / per month