Researchers found that higher-drafted players did not perform significantly better than lower-drafted ones, especially those chosen during the same round. 

These findings were revealed by analyzing NFL draft data over a 10-year period and comparing information such as player draft position, value chart rating and rookie salaries with real-life performance statistics from their first four years in the league. 

Results showed that predictors of player performance based on order of draft selection in early rounds had no relationship to actual performance and career length for players chosen in the 4th and 5th rounds. Researchers also saw a distinct advantage in player performance for teams trading down for draft picks compared to those trading up for draft picks, contrary to the way the NFL currently values draft positions. 

The NFL draft consists of seven rounds, with the team with the worst regular season record picking first and the Super Bowl winner picking last. While this method initially appears favorable, with prevailing wisdom suggesting that higher picks should be valued more than lower picks, these findings weaken that argument, said Dennis Shaffer, lead author of the study and a professor of psychology at The Ohio State University. 

“In a draft, it’s not like everybody agrees that player X is always number one, so you’re going to have teams coming at it from different perspectives and based on their own positional needs,” said Shaffer. “That kind of thing will always play a role in their choices.”

Shaffer’s research often investigates how intuitive beliefs govern our behavior. In this case, the work shows how subjective, and imperfect, NFL draft value predictions can be in the long term. 

The study was recently published in The Sport Journal.

Although previous studies have ventured down several avenues to determine what other characteristics may affect NFL draft value, none has been definitive – though some have emphasized that draft value matters little to the probability of a team making the playoffs. 

In this work, researchers used the Pro Football Reference site to gather data for every player drafted from 2011 to 2020. They then used the Pro Football Focus (PFF) site to gather overall season grades for each player across their first four years in the NFL, resulting in a sample of 2,544 drafted players across 10 years.  

Importantly, the study’s results don’t imply that draft position is completely irrelevant when it comes to picking good players. Instead, it indicates that the connection between these factors  is just weaker than people think, said Shaffer. 

“For what the NFL is currently doing, performance doesn’t bear out according to draft values or rookie contracts,” said Shaffer. “It doesn’t matter how you look at it in terms of valuation, in trade values or rookie salaries, which are greater for higher picks.”

Yet there is one silver lining, at least for individual players. Despite initial wage differences attached to a player’s draft position, someone drafted at the bottom of the second round will likely last as long as someone chosen in the top of the second round – meaning wages over the lifetime of a player’s career could rise to be the same as or better than their peers’ earnings. 

“At least right off the bat, while higher draft position equals a greater salary, draft position has little bearing on how much you earn over the course of your contract,” said Shaffer. “You could equal or exceed that of a higher-drafted peer because your performance is better over more time in the league.” 

Still, to improve the process as a whole, the study concludes that subtly altering the NFL’s grading system may provide a better framework to achieve greater long-term success for teams as well as inform better strategies on which prospective football players to draft. 

“Executives may want to start basing trade value charts on something other than previous trades made,” said Shaffer. “It’ll ensure their sports intuition better aligns with eventual outcomes.” 

Ryanne E. Shaffer, an incoming undergraduate student at Ohio State, co-authored the study. 

The revenue is part of a new report filed with the NCAA and places the Buckeyes among the most successful and financially sound athletic departments in the country.

“As the collegiate athletics model continues to evolve, successfully navigating the financial landscape is a must and I am proud of everyone within our program who made last year a success,” Senior Vice President and Wolfe Foundation-Eugene Smith Endowed Athletics Director Ross Bjork said. “While there will be continued challenges to our economic model, we will strive to be best in class by continuing to innovate and stay aggressive in generating new revenue streams while also managing our expenses as soundly as possible. We are grateful for every Buckeye fan, donor, season ticket holder, and all students who support our program in numerous ways.”

Success on the field contributed to strong box-office attendance. Ticket sales, the largest single source of athletics revenue, totaled $81,650,892, an improvement over $58,788,651 in FY 2024, when there were only six home football games.

The Buckeyes played eight home games in FY 2025 and hosted a College Football Playoff game against Tennessee in the new playoff format, along with playing in CFP bowl games against Oregon, Texas and the national championship final. Ohio State defeated Notre Dame to win its 9th national title.

Ohio State athletics also received a record $68,284,273 in donor-funded contributions. The fundraising total from individuals, foundations and other supporters shows the depth and breadth of support for the Buckeyes and eclipsed the $52,525,557 raised the previous fiscal year.

Media rights fees, including television and radio, grew to $64,917,009, up from $52,794,280 in the same period last year.

Department expenses totaled $320,394,965 for the fiscal year.  The department distributed more than $24.9 million in athletic student aid. That includes tuition, aid for student-athletes who are medically inactive, and other attendance-related expenses. The support is one part of the university’s holistic “Circle of Care” approach to student-athlete well-being.

Ohio State supports 16 men’s teams, 17 women’s teams, three mixed teams and approximately 1,000 student-athletes. The department is self-funded and receives no tuition or tax dollars.

Ohio State and its 36 varsity teams are experiencing the best-ever combination of academic and athletic success, Ross Bjork, the Wolfe Foundation-Eugene Smith Endowed Athletics Director, told trustees on Thursday in the Athletics committee meeting.

The NCAA recently released a new report on graduation success rates, which tracks the graduation rate of students receiving sport-based financial aid over a six-year period. Twenty-three teams had a rate of 90% or better, while 15 Buckeye teams had a perfect score.

“We’re just really proud of the academic profile,” Bjork said.

President Walter “Ted” Carter Jr. told the full board meeting later in the day that this kind of success speaks to the culture that Bjork, coaches and staff are setting where the “student” part of “student-athlete” continues to be emphasized.

“We’re very proud of our tradition of excellence on and off the field,” Carter said.

Ohio State’s excellence isn’t confined to fields, courts and classrooms. It is spread across Ohio’s 88 counties.

A new university impact report shares accounts of the incredible work being done by the Buckeye community, telling a comprehensive story that helps to “bring greater visibility to our work and ensure that Ohioans have awareness of the ways Ohio State touches their lives,” the president said.

University officials also highlighted key projects in an annual review of major campus building projects, including the new University Hospital, in the Master Planning and Facilities committee meeting this week. The hospital is scheduled to open in early 2026 and its construction included more than 7 million hours worked by tradespeople, with a peak of 1,200 workers on site.

Construction began on the hospital in September 2020 and finished on time and on budget.

Carter extolled the largest single-facilities project in Ohio State history.

“While I’m excited to cut the ribbon, I’m far more excited about the transformational work that will take place inside this incredible new space,” Carter told trustees. “The advances in cancer care, women’s and infant health, stroke care, organ transplantation and other areas will change and save untold lives across Ohio and beyond.”

The following actions were taken during the full board meeting:

Executive Master of Health Administration degree established
Trustees approved the creation of an Executive Master of Health Administration degree program in the College of Public Health. The program is an extension of the accredited full-time, residential, early career Master of Health Administration program and would extend the reach of the program to more experienced mid-career professionals.

Professional services and construction contracts approved
The board authorized the university to enter or increase professional service and construction contracts for the following projects:

East Hospital elevator renovations
Professional services totaling $1.7 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.

East Hospital fire suppression system
Professional services and construction totaling $7.4 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.

Newton Hall air handling unit replacements
Professional services and construction totaling $12 million, to be paid for with university funds.

Veterinary medical academic building library redesign
Professional services and construction totaling $4.5 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.

Dental simulation space modernization
Construction totaling $16 million, to be paid for with university debt, university funds and state funds.

Ohio Stadium, Woody Hayes Athletic Center audio and video upgrades
Construction totaling $6.5 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds and university debt.

Wexner Medical Center Outpatient Care Powell
Construction totaling $4.7 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.

Degrees and certificates approved
The board approved degrees and certificates to be conferred on Dec. 21, 2025, to people who have completed the requirements. 

The board also revoked a doctor of philosophy degree and a bachelor of arts degree after the appropriate bodies and administrative officers of the university complied with applicable procedures.

Resolutions in Memoriam

• Ann D. Christy, who died on Oct. 3, 2025, at age 63. She was associate dean and professor in the Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.

• Clyde C. Goad, who died on July 21, 2025. He was professor emeritus in the former Department of Geodetic Science and Surveying.

• William “Bill” E. Henderson, who died on Aug. 13, 2024. He was associate professor emeritus in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.

• Paul R. Hothem, who died on July 7, 2025. He was assistant professor emeritus in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.

• James “Jim” Gottling, who died on Oct. 29, 2025, at age 92. He was professor emeritus in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the College of Engineering.

• Jacqueline E. LaMuth, who died on July 28, 2025. She was associate professor emerita in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.

• Brian G. McHale, who died on July 27, 2025, at age 73. He was professor emeritus in the Department of English in the College of Arts and Sciences.

• Helen Deacon Swank, who died on Aug. 6, 2025, at age 93. She was professor emerita of voice in the School of Music in the College of Arts and Sciences.

• Desh Pal Singh Verma, who died on Oct. 10, 2025. He was professor emeritus in the Department of Molecular Genetics in the College of Arts and Sciences.

• Thomas A. Willke, who died on Aug. 21, 2025, at age 93. He was a founding member of the Department of Statistics in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Report on low enrollment courses and duplicate programs approved
Trustees approved submission of the report to the Ohio Department of Higher Education. Ohio Revised Code requires each state institution of higher education to evaluate courses and programs based on enrollments and duplication with other state institutions of higher education within a geographic region.

Chatham Lane property purchase approved
Trustees approved the purchase of 2.646 acres at 941 Chatham Lane in Columbus at a price of $3.55 million.

Golf course dues and fees approved
Trustees approved golf course membership dues and fees for calendar year 2026. The Ohio State University Golf Club Green Committee and Athletics administration propose raising membership dues and initiation fees to cover rising costs, maintain financial stability, and fund club improvements in 2026.

Revisions to the interim policy on faculty appointments, faculty workload, tenure and retrenchment
The board approved revisions to the interim policy to align with the Ohio legislature’s faculty workload policy requirements.

Amendment to the rules of the university faculty approved
The board approved an amendment to the rules of the university faculty as approved by the University Senate. The amendment would change the process for reviewing complaints pertaining to research compliance to ensure that faculty with relevant research experience perform these research compliance investigations.

Personnel actions approved
Trustees approved the following faculty appointments and reappointments:

Appointments

• Elliott Bendoly as professor (The Richard M. Ross Chair in Management) in the Fisher College of Business for a term running from Aug. 15, 2025, through Aug. 14, 2030.
• Laura Flannigan as assistant professor (The Warner Woodring Chair in History) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term running from Aug. 15, 2025, through Aug. 15, 2030.
• Larry Garvin as professor (The Leon M. McCorkle Jr. Professorship in Commercial Law) in the Moritz College of Law for a term running from Aug. 15, 2025, through Aug. 15, 2030.
• Anna Gawboy as associate professor (Colleen McMahon Professorship in Music) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term running from Aug. 15, 2025, through June 30, 2030.
• Kurt Gray as professor (Weary Foundation Endowed Chair in Social Psychology) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term running from Dec. 4, 2025, through June 30, 2030.
• Roger Goddard as professor (Novice G. Fawcett Chair in Educational Administration) in the College of Education and Human Ecology for a term running from Sept. 15, 2025, through Sept. 14, 2030.
• Jennifer Gold as professor and chair (The Harry C. and Mary Elizabeth Powelson Professorship of Medicine) in the College of Medicine for a term running from Dec. 1, 2025, through June 30, 2030.
• Maryanna Klatt as professor-clinical (Endowed Chair in Integrative Health) in the College of Medicine for a term running from Nov. 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
• Joseph Kwon as professor (Richard M. Morrow Chair in Polymer Engineering) in the College of Engineering for a term running from Aug. 15, 2025, through June 30, 2030.
• Robert Lount as professor (Irving Abramowitz Memorial Professorship) in the Fisher College of Business for a term running from Aug. 15, 2025, through Aug. 14, 2030.
• Olan Munson as assistant professor (Dr. Chris Lee Endowed Professorship in Korean) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term running from Aug. 15, 2025, through Aug. 15, 2030.
• Michael Murphy as assistant professor-clinical (Smathers Designated Professor at the Moritz Entrepreneurial Business Law Clinic) in the Moritz College of Law for a term running from Aug. 15, 2025, through Aug. 14, 2030.
• Efthimi Parasidis as professor (The Kara J. Trott Endowed Professorship in Law in honor of Prof. Morgan E. Shipman) in the Moritz College of Law for a term running from Nov. 15, 2025, through Nov. 14, 2030.
• Erik Porfeli as interim dean of the College of Education and Human Ecology for a term running from Jan. 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028, or until a permanent dean is appointed.
• Paul Reitter as professor (The Ohio Eminent Scholar in German) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term running from Aug. 15, 2025, through June 30, 2030.
• Blaine Saito as associate professor (The Lawrence D. Stanley Professorship in Law) in the Moritz College of Law for a term running from Aug. 15, 2025, through Aug. 15, 2030.
• Colleen Settineri as professor-clinical (The Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer Professorship for the Administration of Justice and Rule of Law) in the Moritz College of Law for a term running from Nov. 15, 2025, through Nov. 14, 2030.
• Abraham Schneider as professor (The George C. Paffenbarger Alumni Chair in Dental Research) in the College of Dentistry for a term running from Nov. 3, 2025, through Nov. 2, 2030.
• Bennett Tepper as professor (John A. Russell Chair for Communication Excellence) in the Fisher College of Business for a term running from Aug. 15, 2025, through Aug. 14, 2030.
• Andrew Van Buskirk as professor (The Harry T. Mangurian, Jr. Foundation Professorship in Business) in the Fisher College of Business for a term running from Aug. 15, 2025, through Aug. 14, 2030.
• Xiaoguang Wang as assistant professor (The H.C. ‘Slip’ Slider Professorship in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering) in the College of Engineering for a term running from Aug. 15, 2025, through June 30, 2030.
• Lin Zhu Newsad as assistant professor (Elizabeth McKeever Ross Professorship Fund) in the College of Medicine for a term running from Nov. 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.

Reappointments

• Yigit Akin as associate professor (Carter V. Findley Chair of Ottoman and Turkish History) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term running from Aug. 15, 2025, through June 30, 2030.
• Arnab Chakravarti as professor and chair (Klotz Family Chair in Cancer Research) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
• Jeffrey Chalmers as professor (Helen C. Kurtz Chair in Chemical Engineering) in the College of Engineering for a term running from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2030.
• Daniel Chow as professor (The Frank E. and Virginia H. Bazler Chair in Business Law) in the Moritz College of Law for a term running from Nov. 16, 2025, through Nov. 15, 2030.
• Louis DiMauro as professor (The Dr. Edward E. and Sylvia Hagenlocker Chair in Physics) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term running from July 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2027.
• Edward Foley as professor (Charles W. Ebersold and Florence Whitcomb Ebersold Chair) in the Moritz College of Law for a term running from Nov. 16, 2025, through Nov. 15, 2030.
• John Fulton as professor (The Food, Agricultural, and Biological Engineering Endowed Professorship) in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences for a term running from June 1, 2024, through May 31, 2029.
• Jingyin Huang as associate professor (The Alice Louise Ridenour Wood Chair in Mathematics) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term running from Aug. 15, 2025, through Aug. 15, 2030.
• Dorothee Imbert as professor and director (The Hubert Schmidt Chair in Landscape Architecture) in the College of Engineering for a term running from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.
• Alan Michaels as professor (The Edwin M. Cooperman Endowed Chair at The Michael E. Mortiz College of Law) in the Moritz College of Law for a term running from Feb. 1, 2026, through Jan. 31, 2031.
• Erin Moore as assistant professor (Dr. Carl F. Asseff Professorship in Anthropology and History of Medicine) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term running from Aug. 15, 2024, through June 30, 2030.
• David Nagib as professor (Dr. Harold “Hal” Miller and Betty J. Miller Endowed Chair in Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term running from Aug. 15, 2025, through Aug. 14, 2027.
• Rita Pickler as professor (FloAnn Sours Easton Endowed Professorship in Child and Adolescent Health) in the College of Nursing for a term running from Oct. 1, 2025, through May 15, 2028.
• James Rocco as professor and chair (The Mary E. and John W. Alford Research Chair in Head and Neck Cancer) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
• Bruce Weinberg as professor (Eric Byron Fix-Monda Endowed Chair) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term running from Dec. 4, 2025, through Aug. 14, 2026.

Trustees also approved the appointment of John Horack as vice president, Enterprise for Research, Innovation and Knowledge, for a term running from Oct. 1, 2025, through Sept. 30, 2027, and Rob Lowden as vice president and chief information officer starting Aug. 1, 2025.

East Hospital Level III Trauma Center verification approved
Trustees approved the triennial review of a Level III Trauma Center at East Hospital.

Amendments to bylaws and rules and regulations approved
The board approved amendments to the bylaws of the medical staff at The Ohio State University Hospitals, Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital, and amendments to the bylaws and rules and regulations of medical staff at Richard J. Solove Research Institute.

FY25 Progress Report on the Ohio Task Force on Affordability and Efficiency in Higher Education recommendations approved
The board approved the progress report as required each fiscal year by the Ohio legislature.

University Foundation Report approved
The board approved, as of Oct. 31, 2025, the establishment of: one endowed chair as part of the Provost’s Endowed Chair Matching Program: the Eric Byron Fix-Monda Endowed Chair; two endowed chairs: the Seth Andre Myers Chair in Global Military History and the Weary Foundation Endowed Chair in Social Psychology; one endowed chair fund as part of the Provost’s Endowed Chair Matching Program: the Horticulture and Crop Science Chair Fund for Future Molecular Plant Scientists - Bridging University Research and High School Classrooms; three endowed professorships: The William E. and Charlotte Curtis Hunt Professorship in the Department of Neurosurgery, The Daniel H. Reigle Endowed Professorship in Sarcoma Research and Care, and the Elizabeth McKeever Ross Professorship; five scholarships as part of the Scarlet and Gray Advantage Endowed Matching Gift Program; 34 additional named endowed funds; and the revision of 13 named endowed funds.

Naming of spaces
Trustees approved the following namings:

• The registration room in The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute as The Herbert J. Block Memorial Tournament Patient Registration.
• The turfgrass innovation lab in the Secrest Welcome and Education Center at the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences Wooster campus as the James L. Prusa Turfgrass Innovation Lab.
• The Capstone Room A (room W258) in Scott Laboratory as the Kimmet Family Capstone Room.
• The CARE Student Lounge in Hitchcock Hall as the Minnie M. McGee Academic Success Hub.

Trustees also approved the naming of the following internal spaces:

At University Hospital:

• Lampert Family Auditorium
• The Harry T. Mangurian, Jr. Foundation Visitor Lounge (Rooms 14000, X1403L, 14040)
• Gift in memory of William and Peg Armbrust by their grateful son, Douglas W. Armbrust, MD ’67 (Room 17582)
• Jane’s Room (Room 23420)

At the Multispecies Animal Learning Complex:

• Dr. Charles H. Ingraham Memorial Lobby
• VAL-CO Broiler Room (room D113)

At Engineering Research and Education Laboratories:

• Douglas “Ben” Herr and Jane Maliszewski Impact Engineering Lab (room 4260)
• Douglas “Ben” Herr and Jane Maliszewski Impact Engineering Collaboration Space (room 4319)
• The George and Gretchen Smith Lab (room 1230
• The James L. and Anita Y. Balthaser Lobby (X104L
• The Victor Yin EED Teaching Prep Room (room 1210)
• Smariga Collaboration Space (room 2235)
• The Joseph and Mary Jane Paquin Makerspace Office (room 1320)
• Tim and Susan Sand Conference Room (room 2243)
• The Allan V. Johnson Reception Area (room 6300)
• Bud and Shelley Baeslack Conference Room (room 6215)
• KG and Nivedita Ganapathi IBE Innovation Space (room 3243)
• The Mark Eisenman Family Collaboration Space (room 2227)
• The Ece & Doruk Borecki Family Huddle Room (room 2229)
• The Schavey Family Graduate Office (room 5229)
• The Byrne Family Foundation Collaboration Space (room 1227)
• Lincoln Electric Foundations Lab (room 1240)
• Lincoln Electric Collaboration Space (room 1235)
• Lincoln Electric Conference Room (room 1243)
• Lincoln Electric Huddle Room (room 1229)
• Lincoln Electric Collaboration Space (room 1241)

Trustees also approved the administrative naming of the Engineering Research and Education Laboratories building at the corner of West Woodruff Avenue and College Road.

As the Buckeyes faced the University of Texas in the season opener, the 148th edition of the band played a medley of gospel music at halftime. Songs included “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” “Oh, Happy Day” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”

Fans were wowed by the band’s formations, which featured two saxophones, a smiley face, two people singing in a choir and more.

Saturday’s i-dotter was Sean Bauman, a Strongsville, Ohio, native with a degree in saxophone performance.  

The ad – titled “We Are Here” – will air alongside the fan-favorite “Maps” ad. The new spot focuses on how Big Ten universities make America healthier, safer and more prosperous through everything from discovering new medical treatments to developing healthier foods to driving economic growth.

Collectively, the 18 members of the Big Ten Conference educate more than 817,000 students and conduct $19.6 billion in research each year. The vast majority of that research is conducted thanks to the American people and their support for federal investments in the nation’s global leadership in health and innovation.

“On behalf of its 18 member universities, I commend the Big Ten Conference’s commitment to showcasing research innovation and our conference’s collective impact on communities and the nation,” said University of Maryland President Darryll J. Pines, who chairs the Big Ten’s Council of Presidents and Chancellors. “We are proud to be a part of an alliance that shares our dedication to student-athlete success and research for the public good.”

“The Big Ten Conference is an association of 18 world-class universities sharing a common mission of research, teaching and public service, alongside shared practices and policies that reinforce the priority of academics in the lives of its student-athletes,” said Commissioner Tony Petitti. “We look forward to highlighting the impact our member institutions make every day in their communities and across the nation.”

The ad will air on linear and digital platforms during sporting events featuring Big Ten universities, utilizing airtime allocated to the conference as part of its media agreements, including the Big Ten Network (BTN). This new initiative builds on other conference efforts, including research vignettes highlighting the impact of university research that air during select BTN sporting event broadcasts.

“We Are Here” was developed by a creative team made up of staff from Big Ten member universities under the auspices of the Big Ten Academic Alliance. It is the first in a planned series of three ads, which over the course of the series will feature footage from all 18 universities.

Trustees heard from Liang-Shih Fan, Distinguished University Professor and C. John Easton Professor in Engineering in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, as he accepted the Pierre Agostini Prize. Fan’s research focuses on creating cleaner, more efficient ways to produce energy, fuels and chemicals while reducing pollution.

The prize is Ohio State’s most prestigious honor for scholarly and artistic achievement. It memorializes Pierre Agostini, professor emeritus of physics at Ohio State, who won the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physics with two of his colleagues, and highlights Ohio State’s commitment to the promotion of innovative and consequential research and creative expression. Agostini attended the ceremony.

The Agostini Prize is a celebration of Fan’s lifelong research. One of his most important innovations is a process called chemical looping, which allows fossil fuels, biomass or plastic wastes to be used for producing energy, fuels and chemicals without releasing harmful carbon dioxide into the air. Instead of burning fuel in the traditional way, his method uses special metal oxide particles to transfer oxygen, which helps generate energy while capturing the carbon dioxide before it escapes.

“We know that the work of our faculty changes and literally saves lives – we want to celebrate that accordingly,” Ohio State President Walter “Ted” Carter Jr. said Friday during the full board of trustees meeting.

Just this week, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers announced the creation of a new Institute-level high honor, the L.-S. Fan Award for Advancing Fundamentals of Chemical Engineering, which recognizes “significant and new contributions to fundamental practice in chemical engineering.”

“The decision through my life to stay on at Ohio State is the best decision I have ever made,” said Fan, an Ohio State faculty member since 1978. “I feel the impact that can be produced at Ohio State.”

The following actions were taken during the full board meeting:

Personnel actions approved
Trustees approved the following appointments:

• Aravind Chandrasekaren as interim dean of the Fisher College of Business for a term running from June 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027.
• W. Kimryn Rathmell as CEO of the James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute for a term beginning May 27, 2025.
• Paula Song as dean of the College of Public Health for a term running from July 9, 2025, to June 30, 2030.
• Dukagjin Blakaj as professor (The Drs. Malati and Ganesh Potdar Professorship in Radiation Oncology-Proton Therapy) in the College of Medicine for a term running from June 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
• Colleen Cebulla as professor (Dr. Paul A Weber Chair in Ophthalmology) in the College of Medicine for a term running from March 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
• Jeremy Fantl as professor (The Steve R. and Sarah E. O’Donnell Professorship in Philosophy) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term running from Aug. 15, 2025, through June 30, 2030.
• Stephanie Gorka as associate professor (The Kaufmann Family Professorship for Breakthroughs in Psychiatry and Behavioral Health) in the College of Medicine for a term running from June 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
• Nina Vanessa Kraguljac as professor (Dr. Lee E. Shackelford Chair in Psychiatry and Behavioral Health) in the College of Medicine for a term running from June 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
• Somashekar Krishna as professor-clinical (Endowed Professorship in Internal Medicine Research) in the College of Medicine for a term running from June 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
• Amy Margolis as professor (S.T.A.R. Professorship) in the College of Medicine for a term running from June 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
• Molly McNett as professor-clinical (Helene Fuld Health Trust Endowed Professorship for Evidence-based Practice in Nursing and Healthcare) in the College of Nursing for a term running from May 20, 2025, through May 20, 2030.
• Leah Pyter as associate professor (Doctor John D. and E. Olive Brumbaugh Chair in Brain Research and Teaching) in the College of Medicine for a term running from Feb. 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
• Christian Rolfo as professor (Diane Nye and Michael Rayden Chair in Innovative Cancer Research) in the College of Medicine for a term running from June 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
• Christo Sevov as associate Professor (ASC Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term running from May 1, 2025, through April 30, 2030.
• Ambro Van Hoof as professor (Ohio Eminent Scholar in Molecular Genetics) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term running from Aug. 15, 2025, through June 30, 2030.

Trustees approved reappointments for the following:

• Vishnu Srinivasan as vice president and chief investment officer in the Office of Business and Finance for a term running from May 1, 2025, through June 30, 2030.
• Sujit Basu as professor (The Jack C. Geer M.D. Professorship in Pathology) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
• Nicole Bernal as professor (The American Electric Power Foundation Chair in Burn Care) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
• Trevor Brown as dean of the John Glenn College of Public Affairs for a term starting June 30, 2028.
• William Carson III as professor (The John B. and Jane T. McCoy Chair in Cancer Research) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
• Pierre Giglio as associate professor-clinical (The Esther Dardinger Endowed Chair in Neuro-Oncology) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
• Deliang Guo as professor (Urban and Shelley Meyer Professorship in Cancer) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
• Maria Ignatieva as professor (The Martha W. Farmer Endowed Professorship in Theatre) at the Ohio State Lima campus for a term running from June 1, 2025, through May 31, 2026.
• Wael Jarjour as professor (The Martha Morehouse Chair in Arthritis and Immunology Research) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
• Ani Katchova as professor (The Farm Income Enhancement Endowed Chair in Agricultural Policy, Trade and Marketing) in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences for a term running from Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2029.
• Sorabh Khandelwal as professor (Samuel J. Kiehl III MD Chair in Emergency Medicine) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
• Ryan King as divisional dean in the College of Arts and Sciences, Social and Behavioral Sciences, for a term running from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2030.
• Ching-Chang Ko as professor (Vig/Williams Endowed Chair in Orthodontics) in the College of Dentistry for a term running from Jan. 27, 2025, through Aug.14, 2028.
• Susan Koletar as professor (Frank E. and Mary W. Pomerene Professorship in the Prevention and Treatment of Infectious Diseases) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
• Ryan Nash as professor (The Hagop S. Mekhjian MD Chair in Medical Ethics and Professionalism) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
• Anil Parwani as chair and professor (The Donald A. Senhauser, MD, Chair in Pathology) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028.
• Kamal Pohar as associate professor (The Julius Skestos and Diana Skestos Chair in Urology) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
• Matthew Ringel as chair and professor (The Ralph W. Kurtz Chair in Hormonology) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027.
• Orlando Simonetti as professor (The John W. Wolfe Professorship in Cardiovascular Research) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
• Mytheli Sreenivas as chair and professor (Designated Professorship in Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term running from March 1, 2024, through Feb. 28, 2028.
• Andrew Thomas as professor (The Robert F. Wolfe and Edgar T. Wolfe Foundation Chief Clinical Officer Chair in the Wexner Medical Center) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
• Ingrid Werner as professor (The Martin and Andrew Murrer Professorship in Finance) in the Fisher College of Business for a term running from March 1, 2025, through Aug. 14, 2030.
• Hsin-Jung Joyce Wu as professor (Ronald L. Whisler MD Chair in Rheumatology and Immunology) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.

Trustees also approved an extension for Karla Zadnik as dean of the College of Optometry for a term running from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.

Honorary degree awarded
Trustees approved an honorary doctor of public service degree to LeBron James, an Ohio native, professional basketball player and community leader. James visited the university virtually in February and spoke with a class in the John Glenn College of Public Affairs about his passion for bettering his community.

Professional services and construction contracts approved
The board authorized the university to enter or increase professional service and construction contracts for the following projects:

• Athletics technology modernization
  Professional services totaling $1.7 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.
• North Towers building upgrades
  Professional services totaling $10 million, to be paid for with university debt.
• Tunnel rehabilitation, phase one
  Professional services totaling $1 million, to be paid for with university debt and funds, state funds and partner funds.
• Doan Hall sprinkler installation
  Professional services totaling $1.2 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.
• Doan Hall SPECT CTs
  Professional services and construction totaling $4.6 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.
• Outpatient East existing lot renovation
  Professional services and construction totaling $5.5 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds. 
• Outpatient East new west parking lot
  Professional services and construction totaling $7.2 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.
• Schottenstein Center scoreboard replacement
  Professional services and construction totaling $5.2 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.
• Battery Cell Research and Demonstration Center
  Professional services and construction totaling $1.7 million, to be paid for with university and partner funds.

2025-2026 academic year undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees approved
Trustees approved tuition and mandatory fees, non-residential and international surcharges, and room and board rates for undergraduate students at all campuses of Ohio State for the academic year 2025-2026.

2025-26 academic year graduate tuition and mandatory fees approved
Trustees approved tuition and mandatory fees, and non-residential surcharges for graduate students at all campuses of Ohio State for the academic year 2025-2026. Graduate and professional fees and student health plan were also approved.

Zollinger Road property purchase approved
Trustees approved the purchase of 5.070 acres at 1800 Zollinger Road in Upper Arlington, Ohio. The property, Ohio State Wexner Medical Center Outpatient Care Upper Arlington, supports the university’s plan for strategic investment in outpatient services for neighboring communities.

Degrees and certificates approved
The board approved degrees and certificates to be conferred on May 4 and Aug. 3, 2025, to people who have completed the requirements.

Interim capital investment plan for fiscal year 2026 approved
Trustees approved the interim capital investment plan for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.

Ohio State Energy Partners utility system interim capital improvements plan for fiscal year 2026 approved
Trustees approved utility system life-cycle renovation, repair and replacement projects by Ohio State Energy Partners.

Digital textbook fees approved
The board approved digital textbook pass-through fees at all campuses for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Non-resident tuition waiver for Ohio State students who are veterans, military members, or their immediate families approved
Trustees approved waiving, for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, all but $5 of the non-resident tuition surcharge for Ohio State students who are veterans or military members, with 90 days or more of honorable service in the United States uniformed services, and their immediate families that do not otherwise qualify for in-state tuition.

Waiver of tuition for Ohio State students who enroll in university-approved third-party provider or direct enrollment study abroad programs approved
The board approved waiving, for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, tuition and fees for students enrolled in a third-party provider or direct enrollment study abroad program and to allow the students to remain enrolled at the university while participating in these programs. The university has received this waiver since fiscal year 2015.

Resolutions in Memoriam

• Frank E. Battocletti, who died on May 28, 2024, at age 90. He was professor emeritus in the Department of Electric and Computer Engineering at the College of Engineering.
• Morris “Murray” Beja, who died on Feb. 6, 2025, at age 89. He was professor emeritus in the Department of English.
• Harding Ganz, who died recently at age 86. He was professor emeritus in the Department of History.
• Dennis R. Heldman, who died on April 3, 2025, at age 86. He was professor emeritus in the Department of Food Science and Technology in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.
• Richard Kenneth Lindquist, who died on Sept. 16, 2024. He was a professor in the Department of Entomology in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.
• William J. Mitsch, who died on Feb. 12, 2025. He was Distinguished Professor of Environment and Natural Resources in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. 
• Forest V. Muir, who died on Jan. 2, 2025, at age 85. He was professor emeritus in the Department of Animal Sciences in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.
• Charles F. Parker, who died on July 19, 2024, at age 89. He was professor emeritus in the Department of Animal Sciences in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.
• Robert Hall Wagoner II, who died on Jan. 28, 2025. He was professor emeritus in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering in the College of Engineering.
• Gerald Winer, who died on Nov. 17, 2024, at age 83. He was professor emeritus of psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Interim operating budget for fiscal year 2026 approved
The board approved the interim operating budget that will allow the university to continue to advance its academic and financial goals during the period from July 1, 2025, through Aug. 31, 2025.

Amendment to the rules of the university faculty approved
The board approved an amendment to the rules of the university faculty as approved by the University Senate. The amendment would modify salary recovery percentages for research faculty and allow them to engage in these additional required activities consistent with funding requirements.

Authorization for designated officials to buy, sell, assign and transfer securities, to deposit or withdraw funds from bank and investment accounts, to designate depositories and to execute treasury- and insurance-related agreements 
The board approved designated officials to buy, sell, assign and transfer securities, to deposit or withdraw funds from bank and investment accounts held in the name of Ohio State, to designate depositories and to execute treasury- and insurance-related agreements.

Reappointments to the Self-Insurance Board approved
Trustees approved the reappointment of two members of the Self-Insurance Board that oversees the University Self-Insurance Program:

• Cynthia A. Powell, CPA, term ending June 30, 2027
• D. Brent Mulgrew, term ending June 30, 2027

Issuance of general receipts, obligations and Multiyear Debt Issuance Program III approved
Trustees approved the program that authorizes the issuance and sale of general receipts obligations of the university in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $400 million for the purposes of financing, on an interim or permanent basis, the costs of certain university capital improvement projects, refunding the outstanding principal amount of current obligations of the university and paying costs and expenses associated with the issuance of such debt, and authorization for amendments to the existing trust indenture and other documents as required.

Easements approved

• Trustees authorized to Columbia Gas of Ohio a perpetual natural gas transmission easement across university property located on 6.069 acres located along Ackerman Road and the northern border of the Waterman Agricultural and Natural Resources Laboratory.
• The board authorized the Board of County Commissioners of Wayne County a perpetual roadway easement across university property located along Messner Road in Wooster, Ohio.
• Trustees also authorized the city of Columbus a perpetual sanitary sewer easement across 1.438 acres of university property located along Woody Hayes Drive.

University Foundation report approved
The board approved the report as of March 31, 2025, which includes: the establishment of one endowed chair: the Dr. Lee E. Shackelford Chair in Psychiatry and Behavioral Health; four endowed professorships: The Dr. Frederick H. Davidorf Honorary Professorship, the Margaret Bowers Hardymon Professorship in Surgery, the Honda Endowed Professorship in Automotive Manufacturing and The Drs. Malati and Ganesh Potdar Professorship in Radiation Oncology-Proton Therapy; six scholarships as part of the Scarlet and Gray Advantage Endowed Matching Gift Program; 35 additional named endowed funds; and the revision of 13 named endowed funds.

Naming of spaces
Trustees approved the following namings:

• The Meta STEM Instruction Innovation Hub, room A, in Ramseyer Hall
• The Gary (Class of 1962) And Helen Cole Office, room 105A, in the Controlled Environment Agriculture Research Complex
• The Lasko Family Home Team Locker Room, room 183, in the Lacrosse Stadium
• The Dr. Jack L. Beal Room, room R200A, in the Riffe Building
•  Two buildings in the Waterman Complex at Lane Avenue and Kenny Road:
  • Waterman – Dairy
  • Waterman – Multispecies Animal Learning Center
• Internal spaces in Waterman – Dairy:
  • Galton Dairy Display Hall
  • Specht and Deam Family Viewing Walkway
  • Dale and Betty Hedge Family Automated Milking System Room
• Internal spaces in Waterman – Multispecies Animal Learning Center:
  • Clifford and Dale Baughman Outreach & Engagement Center
  • Dave and Dorothy Case Terrace
• The renaming of Medical Center Drive (east of Westpark Street to West 10th Avenue) and the naming of Medical Center Drive East and Medical Center Drive West in the Wexner Medical Center.
• The renaming of Wexner Medical Center buildings from:
  • Inpatient Tower to University Hospital
  • James A. Rhodes Hall - University Hospital to University Hospital – Rhodes Hall
  • Charles Austin Doan Hall to University Hospital – Doan Hall
  • Brain and Spine Hospital to University Hospital – Pavilion

Updates to charters for the Internal Audit Department and the Legal, Audit, Risk and Compliance committee
Trustees approved the amended charters for the Internal Audit Department and Legal, Audit, Risk and Compliance committee.

Amendments to retirement plans approved
The board approved the following amendments to various retirement plans:

• Fifth Amendment to The Ohio State University Retirement Continuation Plan
• Fifth Amendment to The Ohio State University Retirement Continuation Plan II
• First Amendment to The Ohio State University 403(b) Retirement Plan
• First Amendment to The Ohio State University 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan
• First Amendment to The Ohio State University Alternative Retirement Plan
• Third Amendment to The Ohio State University Alternative Retirement Plan

Ratification of settlement agreement and amendments to cost allocation agreement approved
Trustees approved a settlement agreement and amendments to a cost allocation agreement regarding the Combined Heat and Power Plant.

Election of officers approved
Trustees approved the following slate of officers for the board of trustees:

• John W. Zeiger, chair
• Elizabeth P. Kessler, vice chair

Ratification of committee appointments for fiscal year 2025-2026 approved
Trustees approved the ratification of committee appointments for fiscal year 2025-2026 as follows:

Academic Affairs & Student Life
Reginald A. Wilkinson, chair 
Elizabeth A. Harsh, vice chair
Elizabeth P. Kessler 
Jeff M.S. Kaplan 
Michael F. Kiggin 
Bradley R. Kastan 
Kendall C. Buchan 
Eric Bielefeld (faculty member) 
Stefanie Sanford 
John W. Zeiger (ex officio)

Athletics
Gary R. Heminger, chair
Michael F. Kiggin, vice chair
Elizabeth P. Kessler
Jeff M.S. Kaplan
Pierre Bigby
Bradley R. Kastan
George A. Skestos
Kendall C. Buchan
John W. Zeiger (ex officio)

Finance & Investment
Tomislav B. Mitevski, chair
Pierre Bigby, vice chair
Gary R. Heminger
Michael F. Kiggin
George A. Skestos
Amy Chronis
Kent M. Stahl
John W. Zeiger (ex officio)

Legal, Audit, Risk & Compliance
Elizabeth P. Kessler, chair
Bradley R. Kastan, vice chair
Michael F. Kiggin
Juan Jose Perez
Kendall C. Buchan
Amy Chronis
John W. Zeiger (ex officio)

Master Planning & Facilities
Juan Jose Perez, chair
George A. Skestos, vice chair
Reginald A. Wilkinson
Pierre Bigby
Bradley R. Kastan
Kendall C. Buchan
Robert H. Schottenstein
Keith Myers
John W. Zeiger (ex officio)

Research, Innovation & Strategic Partnerships
Kara J. Trott, chair
Reginald A. Wilkinson, vice chair
Elizabeth A. Harsh
Juan Jose Perez
Phillip Popovich (faculty member)
John W. Zeiger (ex officio)

Talent, Compensation & Governance:
Jeff M.S. Kaplan, chair
Elizabeth P. Kessler, vice chair
Gary R. Heminger
Reginald A. Wilkinson
Tomislav B. Mitevski
Juan Jose Perez
Kara J. Trott 
John W. Zeiger (ex officio)

Wexner Medical Center
Leslie H. Wexner, chair
Gary R. Heminger
Tomislav B. Mitevski
Juan Jose Perez
George A. Skestos
Kara J. Trott
Robert H. Schottenstein
Stephen D. Steinour
Cindy Hilsheimer
Amy Chronis
Hiroyuki Fujita
John W. Zeiger (ex officio, voting)
Walter E. Carter Jr. (ex officio, voting)
Ravi V. Bellamkonda (ex officio, voting)
Michael Papadakis (ex officio, voting)
John J. Warner (ex officio, voting)

Finance Committee, Wexner Medical Center
Stephen D. Steinour, chair
John W. Zeiger
Tomislav B. Mitevski
Juan Jose Perez
Pierre Bigby
George A. Skestos
Amy Chronis
John J. Warner|
Michael Papadakis

Quality & Professional Affairs Committee, Wexner Medical Center
Juan Jose Perez, chair
George A. Skestos
Ravi V. Bellamkonda
Michael Papadakis
John J. Warner
Eric Adkins
Doreen Agnese
Jay M. Anderson
Carol R. Bradford
Stacy A. Brethauer
David E. Cohn
Scott A. Holliday
Elizabeth Seely
Deana Sievert
Corrin Steinhauer
Andrew M. Thomas

Foundation Board Representative
Pierre Bigby

Alumni Board Representative
Elizabeth A. Harsh

Trustees heard from assistant coach Brian Hartline, who lauded the team’s performance on its way to winning the first national championship in the 12-team playoff era. Returning student-athletes Caleb Downs, Carson Hinzman, Sonny Styles and Tegra Tshabola – along with the championship trophy – were featured during the meeting.

President Walter “Ted” Carter Jr. celebrated the team, but noted Ohio State’s exceptionalism includes more than athletics.

“We strive for excellence in all aspects: athletics, student learning, research and patient care,” Carter said.

The board also honored coaches and student-athletes from the Buckeye spirit program, which last month won the national championship, its second in a row.

At the Monday meeting of the Athletics board committee, Head Coach Ryan Day outlined the major changes impacting college football – and how Ohio State has adjusted to them to become champions.

“With all this change going on, to me it was the timeless principles and values of this university that our team displayed which allowed us to reach our goals of becoming national champions,” Day said. Those include hard work, sacrifice, loyalty, courage, humility, excellence, perseverance and resilience.

Day also highlighted the academic achievements of the team. The most recent semester was the fifth straight for the team to achieve a cumulative GPA over 3 – with more than 120 student-athletes on the team – and a perfect academic progress rate of 1,000, tying Harvard University as the best in the country.     

The board on Wednesday approved Day’s contract extension through Jan. 31, 2032. Athletic Director Ross Bjork on Monday lauded the move for providing “longevity, stability, [and] continuity in this ever-changing world we think is so, so important, and we’re just blessed to have Coach Day’s leadership of our football program.” 

Trustees also approved the establishment of the Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture, and Society as a tenure-initiating unit. The University Senate’s Council on Academic Affairs granted the Chase Center temporary center status in September 2023 to support the center’s initial organizational efforts pending the hiring of the Chase Center’s inaugural executive director, Lee Strang, in August 2024.

Initiated in 2023 by the state of Ohio, the Chase Center will serve as an academic home at Ohio State for teaching and researching the foundation of the American constitutional order and its impact on society. The Ohio General Assembly selected Ohio State and four other state universities for these independent academic units.

Trustees also approved the appointment of Richard Silveria as vice president and chief financial officer of the Wexner Medical Center, effective April 1, 2025, and the extension of Michael Eicher’s contract as senior vice president for advancement and president of the Ohio State University Foundation through June 30, 2025. The board also approved the reappointment of Trevor Brown as dean of the John Glenn College of Public Affairs for a term ending June 30, 2028.

The following actions were taken during the full board meeting:

Distinguished Service Awards approved
Trustees approved the following Distinguished Service Awards to be presented in 2025:

• Patricia Brundige
• William Farrar
• Elizabeth and Richard Germain
• Gerald Newsom
• Charles Wise
• Melissa Conrath

Professional services and construction contracts approved
The board authorized the university to enter or increase professional service and construction contracts for the following projects:

Ohio State Brain and Spine Hospital: Air handler replacement
Professional services totaling $5.2 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.

Dental simulation space modernization at Postle Hall
Professional services totaling $1.4 million, to be paid for with university funds.

Bus technology testing facility for Center for Automotive Research
Professional services and construction totaling $14.6 million, to be paid for with partner funds.

Schottenstein Center main roof replacement
Professional services and construction totaling $8 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.

Cell therapy lab at Polaris
Professional services and construction totaling $4.6 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.

Emergency response radio system for Wexner Medical Center facilities
Construction totaling $3.2 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.

James Outpatient Care: Nuclear medicine expansion
Construction totaling $5 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.

Ohio State East Hospital: Emergency generator
Construction totaling $4.2 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.

Resolutions in Memoriam approved

• Marion L. Cremer, professor emerita in hospitality management in what is today the College of Education and Human Ecology, who died on Nov. 6, 2024, at age 89.
• Mark E. Headings, professor emeritus of entomology in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, who died on Dec. 19, 2024, at age 87. 
• Larry E. Miller, professor emeritus of agricultural education in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, who died on Oct. 5, 2024, at age 81.
• Carole Rogel Poirier, associate professor emerita of history in the College of Arts and Sciences, who died on Sept. 30, 2024, at age 85.
• Stacy Weislogel, professor emeritus in the former department of aviation in the College of Engineering, who died on Nov. 30, 2024, at age 85.

Personnel actions approved
Trustees approved the following appointments and extensions:

• Ezekiel Johnston-Halperin as professor (ENGIE-Axium Endowed Professorship) in the Office of Academic Affairs, for a term running from Sept. 1, 2024, through Aug. 31, 2029.
• Mitch Phelps as professor (Charles H. Kimberly Professorship in Pharmacy) in the College of Pharmacy, for a term running from Nov. 1, 2024, through Oct. 31, 2027.
• Emma Read, professor-clinical (Ruth Stanton Chair in Veterinary Medicine) in the College of Veterinary Medicine, for a term running from Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2030.

Trustees approved reappointments for the following:

• Marcelo Dapino as professor (American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Designated Professorship) in the College of Engineering, for a term running from Sept. 1, 2024, through Aug. 31, 2025.
• Jonda McNair as professor (The Charlotte S. Huck Professorship in Children’s Literature) in the College of Education and Human Ecology, for a term running from Aug. 15, 2025, through Aug. 14, 2030.
• John Nusstein as professor (Dr. William J. Meyers Endowed Chair in Endodontics) in the College of Dentistry, for a term running from July 1, 2024, through Aug. 14, 2026.

Joint use agreements approved
Trustees approved joint use agreements between Ohio State and PrimaryOne Health for $250,000 and Rev1 Ventures for $500,000.

Establishment of new affiliate for university-owned captive insurance company approved 
Trustees approved the establishment of a new affiliate for a university-owned captive insurance company, Great River Insurance, LLC, in the state of Vermont. The establishment is necessary to manage and mitigate risks, enhance cost-efficiency and improve the overall control of the insurance program and process for the university.

University Foundation report approved
The board approved the report as of Dec. 31, 2024, which includes: the establishment of a designated professorship: the Smathers Designated Professor at the Moritz Entrepreneurial Business Law Clinic; one endowed chair: the Dr. Tom Mack Endowed Chair in Global One Health; one endowed chair fund: the Edward and Julie Bacome Foundation Head Basketball Coach Fund; two endowed professorships: The Russell C. Shaw and Lynn B. Shaw Endowed Professorship in Mathematics and the Kaufmann Family Professorship for Breakthroughs in Psychiatry and Behavioral Health; four endowed professorship funds: The Dr. Frederick H. Davidorf Honorary Professorship Fund, the Elizabeth McKeever Ross Professorship Fund, The Drs. Malati and Ganesh Potdar Professorship Fund in Radiation Oncology-Proton Therapy and the Tingkang Xia Endowed Professorship Fund in Physics; nine scholarships as part of the Scarlet and Gray Advantage Endowed Matching Gift Program; two scholarships as part of the Joseph A. Alutto Global Leadership Initiative and 54 additional named endowed funds; the revision of 13 named endowed funds; and the closure of two named endowed funds.

Amendment to Ohio State Energy Partners utility system capital improvements plan approved
Trustees approved amending the Ohio State Energy utility system capital improvements plan for fiscal year 2025.

Property sale approved
Trustees approved the sale of 23.5 acres at 3455 West Dublin Granville Road, located north of the Don Scott Airport.

Naming of internal spaces
Trustees approved the following namings:

• The Julia S. Hansen Auditorium in Morrill Hall, 1465 Mt. Vernon Ave., in Marion.
• The Reid Family Career Closet in the Younkin Success Center, 1640 Neil Ave., in Columbus.
• The Reactor Annex at 1296 Kinnear Road (building 155), in Columbus.

The Ohio State University football team is scheduled to play seven home games next fall, highlighted by a season-opening game v. Texas along with Ohio Stadium visits from Grambling, Ohio, Minnesota, Penn State, UCLA and Rutgers.

The 2025 season marks the second in a new, expanded 18-team Big Ten. Of the four west coast teams, Ohio State plays two of them – at Washington (Sept. 27) and home v. UCLA (Nov. 15). The trip to Seattle will be Ohio State’s first since 2007.

Schedules are arranged so that each Big Ten team will continue to play nine intraconference games per season, and teams will play every other conference opponent at least twice, and not more than three times, in a five-year period.

In addition to Texas, which is making its second trek to Columbus (2005), the nonconference portion of the schedule features a first-ever meeting against prominent FBS program Grambling State University and the first meeting since 2010 with Ohio University, the 2024 Mid American Conference champion.

Ohio State’s game at Illinois will mark its first trip to Champaign in 10 years, since a 28-3 win on Nov. 14, 2015. The Buckeyes have visited their other three conference road sites for next year – at Purdue, Wisconsin and Michigan – as recently as the 2024 season.

There will be two off weeks: Sept. 20 (after the Game 3 home game v. Ohio) and Oct. 25, following Ohio State’s road game at Wisconsin on Oct. 18.

The 18 conference teams will be vying to compete in the 2025 Big Ten championship game Dec. 6 at Lucas Oil Stadium, with the winner claiming the league’s automatic entry into the College Football Playoffs.

2025 Season Ticket Information

Ohio State season ticket holders for the 2024 season were sent renewal information in November and can renew their seats anytime until March 1. Those interested in becoming season ticket holders or learning more about other ticket packages for the 2025 season should visit https://go.osu.edu/fbtix.

2025 Ohio State Football Schedule
Aug. 30 – Texas
Sept. 6 – Grambling
Sept. 13 – Ohio
Sept. 20 – Off
Sept. 27 – at Washington
Oct. 4 – Minnesota
Oct. 11 – at Illinois
Oct. 18 – at Wisconsin
Oct. 25 – Off
Nov. 1 – Penn State
Nov. 8 – at Purdue
Nov. 15 – UCLA
Nov. 22 – Rutgers
Nov. 29 – at Michigan

A former student-athlete, Bjork’s career in athletics administration has consistently focused on competitive success, advances in the student-athlete experience and academic excellence.

“Few athletics directors have established such an impressive and strong record of success in athletics, in the classroom and throughout the community,” Carter said. “The bar is incredibly high at Ohio State, and we have found in Ross a highly intelligent and effective leader – not to mention a fierce competitor.”

Bjork currently serves as director of athletics at Texas A&M University, overseeing more than 600 student-athletes competing at the Division I level in 20 varsity sports.

During his tenure, the school has set new records in overall grade point average, NCAA Graduate Success Rate and NCAA Academic Progress Rate. At the same time, Bjork played a leading role in launching the largest fundraising campaign in Texas A&M athletics’ history outside of the redevelopment of Kyle Field. It features the construction of an academic and wellness center, football indoor performance center and indoor track stadium, as well as a redevelopment of the Bright Football Complex.

At Texas A&M and throughout his career, Bjork is also recognized for hiring successful coaches. All three of his 2021 head coach hires had outstanding first seasons, with baseball advancing to the final four of the Men’s College World Series, women’s golf advancing to the semi-final match at the NCAA Championships and men’s golf qualifying for the national meet for the first time since 2019.

In the spring of 2021, Bjork provided input and guidance to leaders in the Texas legislature in the development of a name, image and likeness law. He then oversaw the creation of AMPLIFY and AMPLIFY Local Exchange, which equips student-athletes with education and resources related to finance, personal branding, networking and media training.

“The college athletics landscape is changing each day, and Ohio State was firmly committed to finding an athletics director who would lead us with confidence and innovative thinking into the future,” said Hiroyuki Fujita, chair of the university’s Board of Trustees. “Ross Bjork possesses all the qualities we had envisioned – and more – and I am thrilled to welcome him to our Buckeye family.”

Before arriving at Texas A&M, Bjork served as director of athletics and vice chancellor for intercollegiate athletics at the University of Mississippi. When hired, he was the youngest athletics director among the Power 5 conferences. He reorganized the external relations structure, including a new partnership with IMG Properties; created the unit for Health and Sports Performance, combining sports medicine, strength and conditioning, nutrition and counseling services; and appointed executive-level administrators for academic support, finance and facilities/game operations. Also, during Bjork’s tenure, Mississippi achieved its highest Learfield Directors Cup finish in the history of the institution.

Prior to that, Bjork was the director of intercollegiate athletics at Western Kentucky University, where the institution’s athletics teams and student-athletes saw immediate success in football, men’s basketball, women’s volleyball, cross country and more. Also, under Bjork’s watch at Western Kentucky, the overall cumulative average GPA was over 3.0 for all 391 student-athletes for the first time in program history.

Additionally, he has worked on the senior athletics staffs at the University of California, Los Angeles (2005-2010), University of Miami (2003-2005) and University of Missouri (1997-2003). He began his administrative career at Western Kentucky as an assistant development coordinator in 1996.

“I have been extraordinarily blessed to be a product of college athletics as a student athlete and fortunate to work with so many outstanding student-athletes, coaches, staff and university leaders throughout my career, and Ohio State represents the culmination of these efforts,” Bjork said. “To be a part of Buckeye Nation, along with its storied traditions and long history of achievement, is a tremendous honor and a welcome challenge for me and our family. I can’t wait to get started.”

Bjork will succeed longtime Senior Vice President and Wolfe Foundation Endowed Athletics Director Gene Smith, who announced in the summer that he would retire in July 2024. A national search for Ohio State’s next athletics leader began soon after, including a university search advisory committee of faculty, staff, students and Buckeyes in the greater community.

“Ross is uniquely equipped to step into our Buckeye community and make an immediate impact,” Smith said. “As I have said, Ohio State has afforded me the professional opportunity of a lifetime, and I am forever grateful. My final, important project over the next several months will be to work with Ross to ensure a smooth and effective transition with our student-athletes, coaches, department staff and university leaders.”

As senior vice president and Wolfe Foundation-Eugene Smith Endowed Athletics Director, Bjork will be a member of the university’s President’s Cabinet. Additionally, he currently serves as the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) 1st vice president and is on the NCAA Division I Student-Athlete Experience Committee. He has served as part of numerous national organizations, including the NCAA Division I Working Group on Transfers and NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee, and as chair of the Southeastern Conference Awards Committee.

Bjork and his wife, Sonya, have two sons. He received his bachelor’s degree in recreation administration from Emporia State University in Kansas, where he played fullback on the football team, and earned a master’s degree in athletic administration from Western Illinois University. His mother is a native of Williamstown, Ohio, where she grew up on the family’s farm. She remains an ardent supporter of TBDBITL.

This will be the first season of Big Ten Conference competition in the new, expanded 18-team league with Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington joining as full-time members next year. Schedules are arranged so that each of the 18 Big Ten Conference teams will continue to play nine intraconference games per season, and teams will play every other conference opponent at least twice, and not more than three times, in five years.

On Oct. 5 the Big Ten released five years’ worth of home and away opponents for all the teams, but not dates. Announcements for actual dates for future year team schedules are still to be determined.

Ohio State’s 2024 season will feature eight home games at Ohio Stadium, including the 120th all-time matchup against Michigan, and four more Big Ten games: vs. Iowa, Nebraska, Purdue and Indiana. Additional home games will be against Southern Mississippi, Western Michigan and Marshall.

Big Ten away games for Ohio State in 2024 will be the Big Ten opener at Michigan State Sept. 28, and games against Oregon, Penn State and Northwestern.

The 2024 season will conclude with the annual Big Ten Football Championship Game, which will feature the top two teams in the overall conference standings at the end of the regular season, with the winner earning the Big Ten Championship. Tiebreaking procedures will be announced later.  

2024 Football Schedule

Aug. 31 – Southern Mississippi

Sept. 7 – Western Michigan

Sept. 14 – Off

Sept. 21 – Marshall

Sept. 28 – at Michigan State

Oct. 5 – Iowa

Oct. 12 – at Oregon

Oct. 19 – Off

Oct. 26 – Nebraska

Nov. 2 – at Penn State

Nov. 9 – Purdue

Nov. 16 – at Northwestern

Nov. 23 – Indiana

Nov. 30 – Michigan

Home games in bold

2024 Tickets Available This Month

Ohio State season ticket holders for the 2023 season will be able to start renewing season tickets for the 2024 season later in November. Those interested in becoming season ticket holders or learning more about other ticket packages for the 2024 season should visit https://go.osu.edu/fbtix.

Dear Colleagues:

We are excited to announce the members of the search advisory committee for Ohio State’s next senior vice president and The Wolfe Foundation-Eugene Smith Endowed Athletics Director. The role of the committee will be to help nominate candidates and provide input and feedback to the search firm, Collegiate Sports Associates (CSA). The committee will also work with CSA to coordinate and facilitate community listening sessions.

The search advisory committee will be chaired by Michael C. Eicher, senior vice president for advancement and president of The Ohio State University Foundation. Members include:

• Pierre Bigby, Ohio State Board of Trustees; former Ohio State student-athlete
• Clark Kellogg, former Board of Trustees member and Ohio State student-athlete
• Archie Griffin, former senior vice president, Ohio State Alumni Association, and Ohio State student-athlete
• Michael Papadakis, senior vice president for business and finance, Chief Financial Officer
• Stacy Rastauskas, vice president for government affairs
• Lincoln L. Davies, dean and Frank R. Strong Chair in Law, Moritz College of Law
• Nadine Muzerall, head coach, Ohio State women’s ice hockey
• Janine Oman, senior deputy athletics director
• Xen Riggs, vice president and chief operating officer, Department of Athletics and Business Advancement
• John E. Davidson, professor, Department of Germanic Languages and Literature; faculty athletics representative
• Tom Gessells, director of information technology, Wexner Medical Center; staff representative, Athletics Council
• Nina LeFlore, co-president, Student Athlete Advisory Council
• Alex Dediu, co-president, Student Athlete Advisory Council

The committee will be staffed by Anne Garcia, senior vice president and general counsel, and Katie Hall, interim senior vice president for talent, culture and human resources.

As you will recall, Gene Smith announced this summer his plan to retire from his role as athletics director in July 2024. The national search for his successor will begin immediately. Thank you for any support that you are able to provide as the committee seeks engagement opportunities with the broader university community. We will keep you updated on the search, and we will have many opportunities to celebrate Gene for his dedicated and innovative service to Ohio State.

Peter Mohler, PhD

Acting President and Executive Vice President for Research, Innovation and Knowledge

“I couldn’t live without it,” he said. “I called my mom and was like, ‘I don’t have the structure [of a team]. I have to come home. I can’t do this.’”

Gerenstein’s mom helped him regain his focus. He stayed in shape and would practice throwing on the Lincoln Tower Field, all the while hoping to find a way back to his favorite sport. It was there that he met the kicker for the university’s club football team.

“He threw me an invite to the club,” Gerenstein said. “That was a Thursday. Monday, I went to my first practice.”

While Gerenstein waited for a varsity tryout date, football became his focus. Eventually his grades began to slip. Over the next two years, he would come to understand that while engineering was one of the things that brought him to Ohio State, it was sports that would keep him there. The club helped him build a routine and find his balance.

“I’ve come to realize that I can’t live without some sort of structure,” he said. “In high school, I was in school and then I went to practice, so most of your day is structured. Then you get to college and it’s not even close to that. The club practices were shorter than high school but for me, it was some semblance of normalcy. It saved me.”

He graduated in May of this year with a bachelor’s degree in sport industry and is now an assistant director of recruiting for Boston College’s football team. Gerenstein says his time with the club football team allowed him to play without feeling the pressure that varsity athletes often face.

“I have a friend who just graduated – he was a five-year player and had some injuries. He doesn’t want to play anymore,” he said. “Those guys get burnt out playing at that level. … I’ve never had a day where I woke up and thought, ‘Here we go with this again.’ It was just excitement: ‘We got football tonight!’”

The club football team was founded in 2009 and is a member of the National Club Football Association. It has won two national championships, in 2019 and 2021. Gerenstein was the team’s quarterback for both.

In addition to playing on the club team, Gerenstein also served as a recruiting intern for the varsity program. He worked with Mark Pantoni, whom he calls “the godfather of college football personnel.” Earlier this year, Gerenstein participated in the National Football League’s Pro Day at Ohio State, an opportunity that he says would not have happened without the connections he made through both programs.

“[The internship] ended up working out well,” he said. “I am where I am now. Club football was the springboard to why I’m here in Boston.”

In addition to allowing him to enjoy the game, club football also gave Gerenstein a leg up professionally since the club recruits its players.

“You have to make yourself desirable [to recruits],” he said. “You have to find the right audience.”

Gerenstein thinks more schools would benefit from their own club teams. There are students out there who want to continue to play football but can’t do so at the varsity level, he said. A club team lets them continue to have the structure and rigor many student-athletes crave. 

“I do everything I can to spread the word about club football,” he said. And while he is a Boston College Eagle now, Ohio State’s club team set a high bar.

“It shocks me how dedicated the team and the staff are, versus the rest of the league,” he said. “How we prepare for every game, we’re just so fine-tuned as a program. As far as X’s and O’s, personnel, depth, schematics, travel, we just don’t miss on any of it.”

But that wasn’t the only historic moment she witnessed. Jamaica’s last game in the group stage was against Brazil. The teams tied 0-0, which sent Brazil home. World-renowned Brazilian player Marta Vieira da Silva had announced this was her last World Cup prior to the tournament’s beginning. Being a part of her story was surreal, McNamara said.

“I grew up watching Marta,” she said. “I was like, ‘OK, I’m not in front of a screen now. I’m in person.’ And getting to see [how they play]. It was bittersweet because we won’t get to see Marta play again but also, we were the team to send her home.”

Brazil wasn’t the only competitive team the Jamaicans played. Their first match was against France, ending in another 0-0 tie.

“France is always a top-five team,” she said. “That was a surreal game because that was the start of our World Cup. That set the tone for the rest of the tournament. That game was great.”

While McNamara, a fourth-year international business major, was born in the United States, her mother is Jamaican. FIFA allows players to play for a country other than their home nation if they can demonstrate a clear connection to it, such as a parent or grandparent. McNamara was proud to represent her family.

“It was awesome. I didn’t grow up there … so getting to go back and live through her heritage and see where she grew up, that was meaningful,” she said. “I got to represent my grandparents as well. They weren’t here to see it, but I felt like they were looking down and were proud that I’m representing their country.”

McNamara’s team pride did not overshadow her Buckeye spirit, however. She wore a red or gray headband in each match as a nod to her home team. And that wasn’t all she had planned.

“I wish I had scored because I was ready to do my OH-IO celebration.”

Now that the tournament is over, McNamara is happy to be back in Ohio. With the Paris Olympics next summer, she may have the chance to play for Jamaica again – she was invited to join the team for qualifying matches this fall but declined. She was ready to wear scarlet and gray again.

“I owe it to my team to play when we’re in season,” she said. “I think it’s best to stay and help my teammates. I love being here so much.”

The help McNamara has brought back from the World Cup? Mentoring from older players. While she is a senior and one of the more seasoned players on Ohio State’s team, that was not the case with the Jamaican national team. At 21, she was one of the younger players.

“Their mentality is to put your head down and work hard. And enjoy every moment,” she said. “That’s what I’m trying to bring back to this team.”

There were so many moments to enjoy, she said. But the thing that sticks out the most is the number of fans supporting women’s sports.

“I was surprised by how many people were there to support us. It’s a growing sport and it’s a women’s sport, so how many people are going to show up? But stadiums were sold-out all over Australia and New Zealand,” she said. “It didn’t even matter if your country was playing in the game or not. People still found someone to root for.”

The experience is one most people won’t have, she said, so she took in as much as she could.

“You see a stadium filled with 27,000 people, screaming your country’s name and cheering for everything your team does,” she said. “That’s an insane feeling. It was overwhelming, the pride. Now I can say, ‘I did that.’”

“I want to thank the leadership of The Ohio State University during my tenure for providing me the opportunity to serve as Senior Vice President and Wolfe Foundation Endowed Athletic Director for the past 18 years,” Smith said. “The presidents and many members of the Board of Trustees I have served afforded me the professional opportunity of a lifetime, and I am forever grateful.

“I have always believed that a leader seeks to be the right person at the right time in the life of the institution. I believe that July 2024 is the right time to welcome new leadership to build upon what we have achieved and continue to build upon the great tradition of excellence in athletics and business advancement at Ohio State.

“Sheila and I look forward to the next chapter when we plan to spend more consistent quality time with our children, grandchildren, and extended family. 

“I want to thank the current Board of Trustees members for allowing me to make this announcement at this time, affording me the opportunity to work with colleagues on the president’s cabinet to ensure a smooth and successful transition once a new president is appointed.”

Born and raised in Cleveland, Smith is in his 19th year at Ohio State, having started in his position in April 2005. Prior to Ohio State, Smith served as athletic director at Arizona State University (2000-2005), Iowa State University (1993-2000), and Eastern Michigan University (1985-1993).

Smith’s tenure at Ohio State is third-longest among the school’s eight athletic directors. Previous directors of athletics at Ohio State include Andy Geiger (1994-2005), Jim Jones (1987-94), Richard Bay (1984-87), Hugh Hindman (1977-84), J. Edward Weaver (1970-77), Richard Larkins (1947-70), and Lynn W. St. John (1912-47).

Athletic and Academic Success

Ohio State Athletics finished third in the 2022-23 Director’s Cup standings. This represents the ninth time Ohio State has finished as the No. 1 athletics program in the Big Ten Conference with eight of those top finishes occurring under Smith’s direction. Smith’s vision for academic and athletic excellence across all sport teams has resulted in consistent top-5 Director’s Cup recognition that reinforced his dedication to providing student-athletes the opportunity to compete for conference and national championships.

Smith’s philosophy of developing the “total student-athlete” has resulted in academic achievements concurrent with athletic success.  In 2022-23, 765 Ohio State Scholar-Athletes, 190 Big Ten Conference Distinguished Scholars, and six Academic All-Americans attest to Ohio State’s commitment to success in the classroom and on the fields of play. 

In addition, Ohio State Athletics posted a cross-sport multi-year Academic Progress Rate of 993, the highest in school history.  Of the 36 Buckeye sport programs, 26 have multi-year rates of 990 or greater, and the football program’s rate of 993 is an all-time high. In 2022-23, 240 student-athletes earned their degrees. 

During Smith’s tenure, Ohio State has dominated Big Ten Conference play, with 115 team and 369 individual conference championships. Smith delights in seeing student-athletes proudly display their Big Ten championship rings, forever a reminder of their Ohio State experience.

On the national stage, Ohio State teams have won 32 team and 117 individual national championships during Smith’s tenure, another mark of competitive excellence.  A former student-athlete, and coach, he keeps a keen focus on the over 1,000 student-athletes he serves.  He is driven to provide them all they need to grow academically, athletically, and personally during their time at Ohio State, and graduate with skills that transfer to success in life.  The department’s focus is from recruitment to career. 

The Eugene D. Smith Leadership Institute

To that end, the Eugene D. Smith Leadership Institute (EDSLI) was created, funded by $15 million in private support, to provide leadership, character, and career development for all Ohio State student-athletes to best prepare them for life after graduation. 

A national exemplar, EDLSI programs include Bucks Go Pro internships, job shadows/micro-internships, Wolstein Leadership Academy, Buckeye road trip, career fairs, Sundays in the Shoe, and Lead Like a Buckeye, among others.  As a measure of the Institute’s impact, in 2022-23 a record 95 pct. of the department’s graduating seniors had job offers, were accepted into graduate school, or were pursuing professional sports.

Smith also oversees the University’s Business Advancement unit, including Columbus’ Nationwide Arena and Ohio State’s Blackwell Hotel, Schottenstein Center, Fawcett Center and Trademark and Licensing, which along with Athletics have a combined annual budget of $347 million in FY 2024 (Athletics $253 million and Business Advancement $94 million).  Smith’s team has increased revenues through innovation, collaboration, and operational efficiencies.

“Business Advancement continues to perform at a high level, as even this summer we will host a record five concerts at Ohio Stadium,” Smith said. “Our trademark and licensing program continues to be #1 among all colleges and universities and the Blackwell Hotel closed out another great year.”

Smith’s business acumen has resulted in strong long-term fiscal performance and new resources have been used to enhance the student-athlete experience.  Record-setting third party agreements with NIKE ($252 million), IMG ($240 million), Levy Foods ($88 million) and Coke, among others, have allowed for innovative and trend setting programs offered to student-athletes.

$930 Million in Private Support

Fundraising is one of Smith’s gifts. Along with his development team, more than $930 million has been raised since his arrival in 2005 which represents over 77 pct. of all funds raised for Ohio State Athletics in its history.  With major renovations to Ohio Stadium and the construction of the Schottenstein Center made possible largely through public bonding prior to his arrival, Smith decided projects during his tenure would be paid for through current private support.

Projects include several major renovations to the Woody Hayes Athletic Center and Ohio Stadium, the addition of practice facilities and amenities at the Schottenstein Center, construction of Griggs Reservoir Boathouse, Jane and Walt Dennis Indoor Golf Practice Facility at The Ohio State University Golf Club, Buckeye Softball Field, several upgrades to Bill Davis Stadium, and upgrades to Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.

The most recent projects include construction of the Schumaker Olympic Sport Complex, Covelli Arena and Jennings Wrestling Facility, Ty Tucker Tennis Center at Auer Tennis Complex, Field Hockey Stadium, and Lacrosse Stadium. 

Smith oversees a total of 523 employees in athletics and business advancement, and a football program with a $1.5 billion valuation, as estimated by the Wall Street Journal.  Each year the department hosts nearly 2 million fans at its sporting events, concerts and special events, with a dedicated team of professionals seeking to ensure remarkable fan experiences at every event. 

The department has received national awards for compliance and diversity.  But what Smith is most proud of is the exemplary culture within his units, recognized by Forbes as “one of the best ten organizations to work for in sports” and the only college program on its list.

Service, Appointments & Honors

Smith is a big believer in national service.  He was a member of the College Football Playoff (CFP) Committee (2017-20); past chair of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Committee (2010-11); member of the negotiating advisory team for the 2010 Turner/CBS contract with the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament for $10.8 billion; and member, negotiating advisory team for the 1991 CBS/NCAA contract for $6.0 billion.  Smith also served as President of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) in 1994.

Smith was appointed to the prestigious Rice Commission, convened by the NCAA to make recommendations on collegiate basketball issues and was co-chair of the NCAA Federal & State Legislative Working Group to Study Name, Image & Likeness (NIL).  Smith has served on myriad NCAA and Big Ten committees and continues to do so.

Smith has received virtually every honor in the business, including being the first two-time recipient of the Sports Business Journal A.D. of the Year (2016 & 2010) award.  Smith has been recognized by Forbes, Sports Illustrated and Black Enterprise as one of the most influential minorities in American Sport.  Smith received the John L. Toner Award for outstanding dedication to college athletics, especially college football in 2008; he was inducted into the inaugural “Legends Class” NACDA Hall of Fame in 2008; and honored as Athletic Administrator of the Year by the Black Coaches Association in 2007, among many others. 

Currently, Smith serves on the NCAA NIL Working Group; College Football Playoff (CFP) Focus Group; and on the boards of directors of:  National Football Foundation; McLendon Foundation (Emeritus Board); Fiesta Bowl; US Olympic and Paralympic Collegiate Advisory Council; Columbus Sports Commission; Columbus Arena Management, Champions of Community and Ohio State Health, Inc.  In his capacity as Senior Vice President, Smith serves on the President’s Cabinet at Ohio State.

The consummate student-athlete, Smith earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Notre Dame in 1977. He earned three varsity football letters as a defensive end and was a member of Notre Dame’s Associated Press 1973 national championship team.

Smith also served as an assistant football coach for the Fighting Irish from 1977-81, helping to guide the squad to its 1977 undisputed national championship. He then spent two years as a marketing representative for IBM prior to joining the Eastern Michigan staff in April 1983.

Smith holds the distinction of being one of only three individuals to win a national championship in football as a student-athlete, coach and athletic administrator (Ohio State in 2014).

Gene and his wife, Sheila, have four children:  Matt (Chantal), Nicole (Joe), Lindsey (Anita), and Summer (Adrian), and eight grandchildren who Smith celebrates affectionately in photos online using their numerical order: Grandkid #1 Marshall, #2 Steele, #3 Grayson, #4 Addison, #5 Tyson, #6  Elijah, #7 Maya, and #8 Jordyn.

The revenue for the fiscal year 2022, which ran from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022, far exceeds the $106,896,918 in FY 2021. It also eclipses the record $233,871,740 in FY 2020, according to an annual financial report filed each year with the NCAA.

“Buckeye Nation continues to show their tremendous support for our incredible student-athletes, our coaches and our support staff. We are grateful for the enthusiasm they bring to our stadiums, fields and pools,” said Gene Smith, senior vice president and Wolfe Foundation endowed athletic director.

Ticket sales, among the hardest hit sources of revenue during the pandemic, reached a reported $59,649,921 across all sports in FY 2022. That number includes more than $47 million from football alone. The university reported only $7,386 in the previous reporting period when fans were not allowed in the stadium.

The department also reported $62.9 million in support from individuals, foundations and companies. That was an improvement from $19.7 million in FY 2021 and $48.1 million in FY 2020 in similar contributions. Much of the increase is attributed to the Buckeye Club’s transition to a per-seat contribution (PSC) model to benefit fans and season ticket holders.

Media rights – revenue from radio, television and digital – accounted for $48,908,898 in FY 2022. That’s up from $40.5 million in FY 2021 and $46.8 million in FY 2020.

Some of the additional highlights from the report include:

• Money from sponsorships and licensing agreements totaled $30,088,073 – that’s up from $18,862,849 in FY 2021.
• Athletic student aid was $24,564,657, up from $20,624,606 in FY 2021.
• Total operating expenses for the athletic department were $225,733,418 compared to $170,551,920 the previous year and $215,209,566 in FY 2020.

Ohio State is home to one of the largest athletic departments in the nation, supporting 16 men’s teams, 17 women’s teams, three mixed teams and approximately 1,000 student-athletes. The department is self-funded and receives no tuition or tax dollars.

The Paris Johnson Jr. Foundation has been selected as the 11th recipient of the Armed Forces Merit Award presented by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA).

Coordinated by the staff at the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl, the Armed Forces Merit Award presented by the FWAA was created in June 2012 “to honor an individual and/or a group within the realm of the sport of football.” 

The “official” announcement of Paris Johnson Jr. Foundation was made during the noon ET edition of SportsCenter on Friday followed by a teleconference at 1 p.m. with the foundation’s leaders,  Ohio State offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr., and his mother Monica Daniels. 

At the teleconference, Brant Ringler, executive director of the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl, and David Ubben, 2022 FWAA President, congratulated the Paris Johnson Jr. Foundation as the 2022 recipient of the Armed Forces Merit Award.

The Paris Johnson Jr. Foundation was selected from a list of 50 nominations (43 individuals and seven programs) as the 2022 recipient by a nine-person committee made up of FWAA members and Bowl officials.

“The foundation established by Paris and his mother is very unique where a student-athlete and his family are actively involved with helping military veterans,” said Ringler.  “While playing a key role on one of the nation’s top collegiate football teams, what Paris is accomplishing through his foundation is remarkable.  We hope at least one player on every college football program in the United States can follow the exemplary example that Paris has set.”

“The Paris Johnson Jr. Foundation provides much-needed assistance for the veterans.  What makes Paris special is that he has taken the time to help so many in his community while playing college football and studying at The Ohio State University,” Ubben said. “We applaud him and his mother for the work that they are doing with the foundation.”

The Paris Johnson Jr. Foundation, established by the ESPN midseason All-America during his high school days in Cincinnati, has raised more than $10,000 to assist veterans, student-athletes and the homeless. 

The foundation is dedicated to empowering and serving disabled veterans and disadvantaged student-athletes with helpful resources that benefit them. 

“I’ve always been passionate about veterans,” Johnson said. “I have so much respect for veterans. It’s easy to say it, but words are just words. Our team tries to find a way to give back to those people who have arguably made the second greatest sacrifice on earth. Those people shouldn’t have to worry about the basic necessities when they come back home. They should be taken care of by the people that they protected.”

“Paris is a wonderful individual, one who cares about and takes care of those who are less fortunate,” Ohio State head coach Ryan Day said. “He does this through his foundation.  These efforts are indicative of the leader that he is … on the field and off.  He is a conscientious young man, an incredibly sincere and thoughtful individual, and someone I can’t wait to see succeed in life as an upstanding citizen.”

The Alumni Band participated in a separate ramp entrance immediately after the current band, and the two groups united for an Ohio Stadium-themed halftime performance that featured a collection of 10 great moments in Horseshoe history.

The bands performed classics such as “Hang on Sloopy” and “Beautiful Ohio,” as well as some popular hits like “Eye of the Tiger” and “California Dreamin.’”

Band formations included a birthday cake and the rotunda of Ohio Stadium.

Leading the quadruple Script Ohio at halftime were the three most recent head drum majors plus the current assistant drum major. Current drum majors Austin Bowman and Dalton Cararo led the 2022 band and alumni in the end zones, while 2020 head drum major Brayden Deemer led the east alumni group and 2018-19 head drum major Konner Barr handled the west script.

Four current or former band members dotted the “i.” Current member Kamren Zirger (2019-22) and alum Paul Weeda (1988-91) handled the south and north end zones, respectively. The east stadium was served by James Pardi (1985-88) and the west by Lawrence Cohen (1986-90).

“My legs hurt.”

“Walk if you need to.”

“Keep going.”

Hundreds of Ohio State University students, faculty, staff and local first responders swarmed up and down the steps of the stadium for the annual stair climb to honor and commemorate the sacrifices made during and after 9/11.

Lt. Col. Mike Kelvington, professor of military science for the Army ROTC program at Ohio State, welcomed students from the university’s tri-service ROTC departments (Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force); the Student Veterans Association; athletes from men’s lacrosse, synchronized swimming and wrestling programs; military veterans; and first responders, including cadets from the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

“This 21st anniversary of 9/11 gives us the opportunity to remember those who were killed, to honor our heroes who responded and sacrificed, and to fully commit to defending our nation against those who wish us harm,” he said. “This morning, we ascend these stairs, like many first responders, policemen and citizens did, for 110 flights, the equivalent of the height of one of the World Trade Center towers, or as far as their lungs could carry them.”

Kelvington spoke to the assembled group at 5:30 Wednesday morning near the 50-yard line and encouraged them before what would be a grueling workout.

Nikki Dzurko, a senior environment, economy, development and sustainability major and member of the synchronized swimming team, said the workout was difficult but well worth it.

“I am probably the worst runner on our team,” she said, laughing. “We’re a water sport, we don’t get a ton of running in, so it’s definitely a challenge. A few of us were struggling, but we just keep moving and think about what the people who are wearing 50 pounds of gear were doing, running upstairs without taking a pause.”

Dzurko said the team participated in the stair climb last year, and said it’s a special time to remind themselves of the sacrifice of others.

“[Coach] Holly [Vargo-Brown] made us think about what it was like to put other people ahead of yourself in a situation like 9/11,” she said. “And as we were walking the stairs, thinking about that really made me feel so grateful for having all the first responders on campus and everywhere.”

First Class Midshipman Nolan Buck, a senior aviation engineering major, said it means a lot to see students outside of ROTC join them for the stair climb.

“Having them come out to support us, and something that we care about, and demonstrating that they care about it as well is really meaningful,” he said. “It helps solidify the idea of what we’re doing has purpose and gives us the motivation to keep waking up at 5 a.m. every couple of days and doing what we’re doing to not only help out the Ohio community but also our country.”

Norman Jones, vice provost and dean for undergraduate education, joined the students on the stair climb. He said he was inspired by the camaraderie of students in the ROTC department and the student athletes who joined them.

“To me, it’s the heart of what Ohio State is all about. It’s about service. Our motto is Education for Citizenship, and that’s about service,” he said. “I think ROTC exemplifies that, our athletic teams pulling together for something greater themselves. So, it’s super inspiring.”

“A Walk in Our ’Shoe: 100 Years of Ohio Stadium” is a free exhibition that will be on view in Thompson Library Gallery until Feb. 26, 2023.   

“Ohio Stadium has long been a gathering place for so many people,” Tamar Chute, university archivist, said of the engineering marvel that opened in 1922 and can hold more than 102,000 fans for football Saturdays and countless other events.

“The exhibit is a chance to share the diverse stories that surround the field experience in the ’Shoe, from raucous football rivalries and record-breaking track meets to commencement ceremonies, star-studded musical concerts, marching band wonders, and so much more.” 

Here’s a quick look at just a few of the highlights of the libraries’ exhibition: 

Marlene Owens’ Homecoming trophy 

The daughter of world-famous Olympic athlete Jesse Owens, Marlene made history in her own right at Ohio State. In 1960, she was crowned the university’s first African American homecoming queen, and her dad handed her the trophy in front of a crowd of more than 83,000 in Ohio Stadium. Jesse Owens reportedly said when presenting the trophy, “Remember, darling, it could only happen in America,” a comment echoed in newspapers across America. 

Football coaches’ case 

Three Buckeye football coaches, each heralded for his contributions, will be spotlighted. Chute said the three are being acknowledged because of their influences on the sport, their community and the university.  

John Wilce (1913-1928) led the Buckeyes onto their new field when Ohio Stadium opened. He also earned his medical degree during his coaching tenure, later serving as director of Ohio State’s student health services for more than two decades. 

Woody Hayes (1951-1978) was one of the most decorated coaches in college football history. Under the legendary Hayes, his team won 205 games, captured five national titles, won 13 Big Ten championships and played in eight Rose Bowls. Off the field, Hayes embodied the spirit of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s essay to “pay it forward,” supporting charities such as Children’s Hospital and Easter Seals. He was as proud of his players’ high graduation rate as he was of their success on the field. 

Jim Tressel (2001-2010) saw his team win the 2002 national title. Now president of Youngstown State University, Tressel published the book “The Winners Manual” in 2009, donating its proceeds to benefit the William Oxley Thompson Memorial Library Renovation Fund. 

The unwanted ashtray

To celebrate Ohio Stadium’s dedication, an industrial engineering professor designed an aluminum ashtray mimicking the new horseshoe-shaped stadium, aiming to sell the memento to fans for $1 each. Michigan spoiled the day with a 19-0 win, and not a single sale was made. Left with a large supply of ashtrays, the professor began giving them away to any student who took his foundry course. The custom continued, more replicas were cast in the foundry over the years, and an estimated 600,000 stadium-shaped ashtrays have been distributed.  

Stadium dorm rooms  

In an early move to increase access to higher education, Ohio State opened barracks-style housing space in the stadium’s southeast tower. According to Chute, during the Depression, many students dropped out of the university because they couldn’t afford tuition and housing. In 1932, Dean of Men Joseph Park devised the idea to house male students inside the stadium in cooperative housing; in exchange, the students were expected to work in the dormitory.  

The magnet campaign 

We all know it as the horseshoe-shaped stadium, but a closer look also reveals its magnet shape. “In a brilliant 1920 marketing campaign appeal to the public to raise construction funds, the stadium was publicized as ‘the magnet that will draw the rest of the world to Columbus.’” 

The Ohio State University sent five student-athletes: Jaydan Wood (women’s track & field), Donovan Hewitt (men’s gymnastics), Brooke Shields (cheer), Nina LeFlore (women’s soccer) and Zed Key (men’s basketball).

Student-athletes heard from Sheyann Webb-Christburg, author and eyewitness to the Bloody Sunday attack in 1965, as well as Bryan Stevenson, a prominent author and social justice lawyer. They also toured the Civil Rights Memorial Center, the Alabama Department of Archives and History and the Equal Justice Initiative Legacy Museum, which Stevenson founded.

In addition, the trip included a visit to the First Baptist Church in Selma and a walk across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, the site of Bloody Sunday.

Knowing the trip’s purpose, LeFlore expected an emotional weekend. She was still surprised by just how emotional she was. Although the speakers shared painful stories, she felt inspired by their messages of hope.

“They were really joyful,” she said. “Even when they spoke about their past, and they were emotional, they were joyful, almost hopeful. You can tell that their spirit wasn’t defeated.”

For Key, the most meaningful moment of the trip was the Pettus Bridge walk.  

“Walking across the bridge, just knowing what [the protesters] went through with them being beat on the bridge by the police, dogs, tear gas,” said Key. “It was such a surreal moment.”

LeFlore agreed.

“That was probably the most impactful,” she said. “Being there, living the history, reliving the history. It’s not really an experience you can put into words. It’s more of a feeling. I wish everyone had the opportunity to experience it.”

Key was proud to represent Ohio State and proud to represent basketball players – there were few on the trip. He feels that, as student-athletes, he and his peers have a unique opportunity to amplify the messages they received during the trip.

“As athletes, we have a platform,” he said. “We’re all on the same page about using our platform to create change because people look up to us and they listen to us. We can use our platform to push in the right direction to create equality.”

A short film will chronicle the trip and the participating student-athletes’ reactions.

“Every student-athlete will be able to see it and then we’re going to talk to the entire student-athlete staff,” she said. “We’re going to go in-depth about what we learned and how we can implement changes in the Ohio State athletics program.”

Both agreed that the trip was an honor and one in which they were proud to participate.

“This really opened my eyes,” Key said. “I learned stuff that I didn’t even know about. Listening to people, it really gave me goosebumps, some of what they were saying. I’m really glad the Big Ten invited me to go.”

For LeFlore, who has attended other Big Ten events, it was a chance to experience something different with her peers.

“I saw a more intimate side to some of the people I had met at the other events during this trip,” she said.

All five of the Ohio State student-athletes are Black, LeFlore mentioned. Bonding over their experiences as Black student-athletes made the trip that much more meaningful.

“I think it was cool coming into community like that,” she said. “I think that was really special.”

The sense of community, of shared history, has stuck with LeFlore.

“Anytime anybody shares a story, it’s impactful and empowering.”

President Richard Nixon signed Title IX into law on June 23, 1972:

“No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”

Women’s lives around the country and in every generation since were changed. For Johnson, this meant that while she was able to play only individual sports in high school, when she arrived at Stanford University, she was allowed to join the field hockey team and eventually go on to create a women’s lacrosse team with many of the same women.

“You all know what it’s like to be on a team, to be part of something bigger than yourself,” Johnson said to the assembled audience, which included many current female student-athletes. “That’s what I love about The Ohio State University. We’re all a part of something big, really big.”

Joining Johnson on the panel were her wife, Veronica Meinhard, who was an All-American swimmer at the University of Florida, current Ohio State women’s basketball player Jacy Sheldon, synchronized swimming coach Holly Vargo-Brown and retired deputy athletic director Miechelle Willis. The moderator of the discussion was Siobhan St. John, assistant cheer coach.

Meinhard, who grew up in Venezuela, shared that Title IX meant she could pursue her sport and her education, something she could not do in her home country.

“In my country, education is No. 1,” she said. “You quit your sport at 17 or 18. … The sheer opportunity to be able to pursue education and my sport, regardless of gender, was a huge issue for me.”

Sheldon, the youngest member of the panel, reflected on the history of gender equality in sports. When asked to describe Title IX in one word, she chose “movement.” She spoke about the United States’ 1996 women’s basketball team, the “Dream Team,” and the hurdles they had to overcome, despite their talent. She noted that there is still plenty of room for improvement, citing the differences in facilities for men’s and women’s basketball teams during the 2021 March Madness tournament.

“Everybody has at least a part, a role to get us where we are today,” she said.

Willis also shared thoughts about inequitable facilities and how those differences have decreased since 1962. While changes like these in higher education are significant, Willis argued that the most meaningful impacts are found at secondary schools.

“The talent, the pool of talent that we now have at the college level is a reflection of the opportunities that are provided to girls at the high school level,” she said. “Coaching opportunities at that level – this has had a huge impact on the competitive level in college.”

Rounding out the panel, Vargo-Brown reminded the audience of the importance of mindfulness around Title IX and equity issues.

“I think, particularly as things progress, you start to become comfortable in assuming everything is equal,” she said. “You don’t always stay mindful of each situation. ‘Is this really equal?’ ‘Are we providing equal opportunities?’ ‘Are we providing equal recognition?’ ‘Are we providing equal pay?’

“Yes, we are, and can we do more?”

Read bios of the new Hall of Fame inductees on the Department of Athletics website.
 

“Other than the Bible, I mean,” he said. “I was really proud of that.”

Snow began his Buckeye journey in the fall of 1987. Almost immediately, he met John Macko in the Student-Athlete Support Services Office (SASSO). Macko has spent the last 38 years working with student-athletes like Snow, providing academic support and helping them navigate the compliance rules of the Big Ten and the NCAA.  

“I’m just a resource,” Macko said. “I drip on them. If they don’t finish, I’m a nudge and I get after them because that’s our commitment to them. We want you to get a great athletic experience but it’s about getting a diploma from Ohio State University. That’s the brass ring.”

Macko retired at the end of last month. It’s fitting that one of his last student-athletes was also one of his first.

“I’ve known Carlos since 1986,” Macko said. “…I’ve known him since he was 17. And he’s 54 now.”

Snow played for the Buckeyes from 1987-1991, missing the 1990 season due to the removal of a benign tumor on his hip. He was named the most valuable player for the 1991 team and the leading rusher for three seasons, still ranking 11^th all-time in career rushing yards.

He played for the Denver Broncos in 1992 before suffering a career-ending knee injury. The years that followed were turbulent. Snow experienced homelessness and was charged with impaired driving in 2017.

After that, Snow reconnected with former and once-again mentor Bernard Masters. Masters asked how he was, and Snow began a practiced, upbeat reply.

“I was going to give him the elevator speech ... but I couldn’t look at him,” he said. “It’s like, would’ve been a lie. I was like, ‘no, I can’t lie to that man.’ So, I told him what was going on and this man, when he snaps his fingers, things happen.”

With support from Masters and his family, Snow was able to return to Ohio State through the university’s Degree Completion Program. The program allows student-athletes who received financial aid of any kind and who left the university in good academic standing to return and provides assistance with re-enrollment into Ohio State, tuition, tutoring services and academic counseling.

Snow said the program made all the difference in the world for him.

“I wanted to know if I could really pass,” he said. “I’m not playing football and that’s the great thing about this: You take the athlete away from the student and that’s where I’m getting good grades.”

Support from Gene Smith, senior vice president and Wolfe Foundation Endowed Athletic Director, gave Snow the final push he needed.

“None of this would’ve happened without Gene Smith, without our athletic director,” he said. “He was nice enough to sign that Degree Completion Program for me. When he signed that, I said, ‘I have to make it,’ because that’s big.”

Smith and Macko could see the leadership skills that Snow had. Macko introduced him to a number of student-athletes, including members of the current football team.

“[I met] a couple of the players over there, before Chase Young left, and [JK] Dobbins,” he said, laughing. “They called me ‘Coach Old School.’ I said, ‘Coach Old School?’ I said, ‘I like that.’”

“For them to see a 50-year-old guy coming back to school, in our training area, asking for help, was just tremendous,” Macko said. “Even non-verbally, he shed a lot of insight and power into our student-athletes.”

Snow said asking for help became a regular occurrence. The classroom was a very different place 30 years later. New technology was the first hurdle.

“Computers and me, no,” he said. “That’s a strikeout for me. But I learned how to use it. So, I’m not as good as other people but I can get whatever done.”

This determination is the backbone of Snow’s success. He wanted to finish his degree badly, Macko said. Snow made drastic changes, cutting out socializing with friends and family to focus on his studies.

“I didn’t want to see nothing below a B,” he said. “Everything, it had to be an A or B. And I have to pat myself on the back for that, because it was a lot of work. It was a lot of work.”

Snow graduated with a 3.7 GPA. Receiving his diploma in Ohio Stadium, where he spent so many hours years ago, was a proud moment. Commencement fell on Mother’s Day this year and that made the day even more special. Snow’s mother, whom he calls his best friend, died in 2012.

“I was like, ‘Mama, you done this, on Mother’s Day? You done this. You got your hands in everything,’” he recalled. “I just thought my mother had something to do with it, looking down on me.”

The photo of Snow with his diploma went viral. A beaming smile was proof of a degree hard-won.

“[My diploma] is right on my table. It’s up and I’m waiting until I get an office. … I’m going to have it up,” he said. “That’ll make me work a lot harder.”

Degree in hand, Snow is now polishing his resume. He has volunteered for years with young men, helping them find their paths. The importance of education is something he has always stressed. He hopes to find a job that will allow him to continue that work.

“[Finishing my degree] … was just part one, that was just the first quarter,” he said. “Second quarter, now I got to find me a meaningful job. Then third, I have to maintain. And then, fourth quarter, we would talk about the legacy I would like to leave my children and grandchildren.”

In addition to a contract extension for Day, items on the agenda for the Talent, Compensation and Governance Committee meeting on Wednesday include an extension for men’s basketball coach Chris Holtmann and a new contract for women’s basketball coach Kevin McGuff. The three coaches would also receive compensation adjustments. In addition, men’s lacrosse coach Nick Myers will receive a new contract and men’s hockey coach Steve Rohlik will receive a contract extension. The full board will vote on all five personnel actions on Thursday.

Ryan Day

Day will receive a two-year contract extension that will position him as head coach of the Buckeyes at least through the 2028 football season. In addition, Day’s total compensation will increase from $7.6 million annually to $9.5 million annually with a base salary of $2.0 million per year.

Day, who was named the 25th head coach in school history on Dec. 4, 2018, has led the Buckeyes to a 34-4 record, including a 23-1 mark against Big Ten Conference competition. His teams have made two appearances in the College Football Playoffs and won two Big Ten championships, in 2019 and 2020 that extended a Big Ten record streak to four consecutive outright championships.

In the classroom, Day’s program has had four consecutive semesters with a team cumulative GPA of at least 3.00. The program has set consecutive all-time highs for Academic All-Big Ten Conference honorees with 45 in 2021 after having 40 earn the distinction in 2020. In 2021-22, a total of 51 players were honored with OSU Scholar-Athlete recognition. The 2022 team features 14 players who have already graduated.

Chris Holtmann                                                                       

Holtmann will receive a three-year contract extension that will keep him on the Buckeye sidelines through the 2027-28 season. Holtmann also receives a salary adjustment increase of $500,000, which raises his total annual compensation to $3.5 million with a base salary of $1.0 million per year.

Under Holtmann, the Buckeyes have won at least 20 games in all five seasons and have advanced to the NCAA Tournament in every year it was held. Ohio State is one of just three Power 5 teams to win 20 games in each of the last five years, joining Kansas and Oregon.

Holtmann has an overall Ohio State record of 107-56, including a 59-40 mark in Big Ten play over his first five seasons. He has had 25 players honored as Academic All-Big Ten, and he has coached six Buckeyes to All-Big Ten honors with E.J. Liddell earning consensus third-team All-America honors this season. The three-time Naismith Coach of the Year finalist has guided his teams to at least one win in the NCAA Tournament in six of the last seven tournaments, and Holtmann is the only coach in Ohio State history to have his team ranked among the Top 13 in the country in each of his first five seasons.

Kevin McGuff

McGuff will be receiving a new, four-year contract with a base salary of $675,000 and an annual compensation rate of $1.05 million. The contract starts July 1, 2022 and extends through the 2025-26 season.

McGuff recently completed his ninth year at the helm of the women’s basketball program, leading the Buckeyes to a 25-7 overall record and a regular-season Big Ten championship following a 14-4 conference season. His team advanced to the Sweet 16 for the second time in four years following a wire-to-wire, 79-64, win at third-seeded LSU in the second round.  

Under McGuff’s direction, the Buckeyes have won three regular season Big Ten championships (2017, 2018, 2022) and also the 2018 Big Ten Tournament. Ohio State has made five NCAA Tournament appearances, including three Sweet 16 appearances, to hold an 8-5 NCAA record during McGuff’s time. The Buckeyes have amassed a 196-92 overall record and a 105-49 Big Ten record over the past nine seasons. McGuff and staff have developed four WNBA draft picks during his tenure. Nine different Buckeyes were named an OSU Scholar-Athlete this past year.

Nick Myers

Myers, who is in his 14th year leading the men’s lacrosse program, is the program’s all-time winningest coach and his teams have earned four NCAA Tournament berths during his tenure, including a first-round NCAA matchup this season vs. Cornell. He will receive a new, five-year contract through the 2027 season.

Myers has been instrumental in raising funds for a new $21.5 million lacrosse-only stadium that is currently under construction and will be finished in time for next season. Under his tutelage, members of the program have garnered 21 USILA All-America honors, 47 all-conference selections and 12 conference player of the year accolades.

In April, a program-record 46 men’s lacrosse players were honored as OSU Scholar-Athletes, and the program has also had record-high numbers of Academic All-Big Ten honorees, Big Ten Distinguished Scholars and USILA Scholar All-Americans under Myers.

Steve Rohlik

Rohlik, who recently completed his ninth year as the head coach of the Buckeyes, is a two-time Big Ten coach of the year (2018 and 2019) and a two-time national coach of the year finalist. He will be receiving a two-year contract extension that will extend through the 2025-26 season.

Rohlik has led Ohio State to three NCAA Tournament appearances, including a 2018 Frozen Four trip (the first for the program in 20 years). Ohio State won the 2018-19 Big Ten regular season title and over the last seven years, the team has finished in the Top 4 of the Big Ten six times. He is 162-127-36 overall, with five 20-win seasons.

Under Rohlik, the Buckeyes have posted a team grade-point average of 3.0-plus throughout his tenure. He has had 118 Academic All-Big Ten honorees and 168 OSU Scholar-Athletes. In 2021-22, 25 Buckeyes were named Ohio State Scholar-Athletes and 17 (nearly 90 percent of eligible players) earned Academic All-Big Ten accolades.

About the Department of Athletics

The Ohio State University Department of Athletics is one of the most visible, respected and accomplished programs in the nation. It ranks among the largest in terms of number of student-athletes – over 1,000 – and in number of varsity sports (36). The department maintains entirely self-supporting operations. All grants-in-aid, buildings and capital expenditures, including debt service, are funded by the department’s generated funds without subsidy from the university. No student fees, tax dollars or university funds are used to support the programs of the Department of Athletics.

“The stars aligned for me to come here. I don’t think I realized what was right in my backyard,” she said. “The thing that stood out to me was the network post-graduation, the amount of people I can connect with after I’m done with classes. SASSO and the EDSLI set us up to have so many good connections.”

SASSO, or the Student Athlete Support Services Office, and the Eugene D. Smith Leadership Institute (EDSLI) work with student-athletes at the university to ensure they have the skills they need to be successful during their years in Columbus and beyond. In particular, SASSO provides academic support for student-athletes ranging from schedule planning to tutoring to study hours. SASSO also helps students maintain compliance and eligibility with organizations like the NCAA and the Big Ten.  

In April, 788 student-athletes were recognized at the university’s scholar athlete awards. To qualify, students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Of the 788, 52 had a 4.0 GPA.

“I aspire to help my student-athletes think outside the box,” said Shaun Swearingen, associate director of athletic academic services at SASSO. “Not every student is going to professionalize in their sport. There are other pathways to success. We have the luxury of helping them figure out how to meet their new goals.”

Swearingen oversees the academic support services for three sports at Ohio State: men’s ice hockey, baseball and women’s volleyball. Podraza is a setter on the women’s volleyball team. She met Swearingen her freshman year when he came to practice to introduce himself and SASSO.

“Shaun is really hands-on. He does a good job of meeting with the team,” she said. Podraza’s roommate is also a volleyball player. “She has Shaun on speed dial. If she needs help, she’ll say ‘I’m going to call Shaun.’ Even if it’s 10 o’clock at night! But he always answers. He is always at our fingertips.”

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted Podraza’s athletic eligibility. Despite graduating this spring, she has the opportunity to play for additional years. As a result, she needed guidance on her academic options, eventually deciding to pursue a master’s degree in sports administration at Ohio State. Swearingen has helped her to decide what that will look like.

“He has been great about giving me options. ‘We can do grad school with a certificate, we can do just grad school, we can make grad school last two years, we can make it last a year and a half.’ I want to be smart about this,” she said. “We’re working on which classes I need to take and when.”

Swearingen has been with SASSO since 2011. While the day-to-day work has not changed much in the last decade, he has seen more of an emphasis on post-graduation planning, he said.

“One of the cool things that our athletic department has done is put a focus on career development. You have the Eugene D. Smith Leadership Institute right here on campus,” he said. “There’s definitely a focus on trying to help students post-graduation. We want to get them to graduation, and we also want to put them in the best possible position to succeed.”

While Swearingen’s office is the starting point for students, he is quick to acknowledge that SASSO does not work alone.

“Our campus partnerships are what help us advocate for and support students. It’s not something that we could do alone,” he said. “Students have a team around them – academic trainers, sports performance managers, academic advisers, coaches, administrators – we have a lot of eyes on them. The adage ‘it takes a village’ is true.”

The board is made up of presidents and chancellors from the 10 Football Bowl Subdivision conferences and independent Notre Dame. Johnson will represent the Big Ten Conference, replacing Penn State University President Eric Barron.

“As someone who was afforded significant academic opportunities as a result of my participation in sports, I have long recognized the importance of collegiate athletics and championed access to them for every student who desires it,” Johnson said. “I am proud to have played a key role in preserving the 2020 Big Ten Conference fall season at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic and am looking forward to continuing my advocacy and working with the other presidents and chancellors on the College Football Playoff Board of Managers.”

“We are delighted that President Johnson will serve on the Board of Managers,” said Bill Hancock, executive director of the College Football Playoff. “President Johnson’s experience as a leader in higher education and as a former student-athlete will provide great perspective for the board.”

“We are grateful to add President Johnson to the College Football Playoff Board of Managers to represent our conference and its 14 world-class member institutions,” said Big Ten Conference Commissioner Kevin Warren. “President Johnson, who replaces retiring Penn State University President Barron, will make an immediate and profound impact in this critical role as we embrace opportunities related to the College Football Playoff system.”

The board governs the College Football Playoff business, property and affairs. The board develops, reviews and approves annual budgets, policies and operating guidelines.

The CFP determines college football’s national champion on the field, while emphasizing the significance of the regular season, where every game counts. Ohio State won the inaugural CFP National Championship in 2015 and has been to the playoff four times, most recently participating in the 2021 national championship game.

Johnson joins leaders from the American Athletic, Atlantic Coast, Big 12, Conference USA, Mid-American, Mountain West, Pac-12, Southeastern and Sun Belt conferences and the University of Notre Dame.

The Ohio State University Department of Athletics hosted a celebration to honor players and coaches from 10 programs who won either conference or national championships so far this year. Senior Vice President and Wolfe Foundation Endowed Athletic Director Gene Smith presided over the ceremony at the Covelli Center Tuesday afternoon.

There was a lot to cheer for. The women’s hockey team won its second WCHA title in the last three years and its first national championship in March. Synchronized swimming, pistol and dance also celebrated team national championships this year.

Big Ten champions included the women’s basketball team, men’s gymnastics, women’s swimming and diving, and both men’s and women’s tennis. The men’s and women’s fencing teams won Central Collegiate Fencing Conference team titles this year as well.

More than 30 athletes from nine sports were honored for individual national or Big Ten championship performances.

One theme that the student-athletes returned to when they spoke about their championship experience was the importance of a positive and winning culture. Katie Trace, a Big Ten champion in the 800 free relay, is part of a team that has won three consecutive Big Ten conference championships in women’s swimming and diving.

“It’s definitely the culture that we built on the team. I think that it’s a lot easier to win when you have fun doing it,” she said. “Everybody wants to be a Buckeye because we’re excellent at what we do.”

For Liz Schepers, it was faith in teammates and coaching that helped the women’s hockey team hold off Minnesota Duluth for a 3-2 victory in the Frozen Four national championship.

“Once we took the lead, the last couple of minutes, we knew exactly what we had to do to get the job done and seal the deal,” she said. “We have so much confidence in each other and trust in our game plan.”

Ohio State’s historic rivalry with the University of Michigan was never far from the minds of the athletes. Men’s gymnastics won the Big Ten regular season championship with a win over No. 4 Nebraska this year.

“Other than winning [the championship] on senior day, the thing that stood out to me the most was beating Michigan [during the regular season], and that’s the first time in the last five years,” said gymnast Dexter Roettker.

Ohio State is in third place in the Learfield Directors’ Cup. The cup recognizes excellence across athletics programs. Points are awarded based on each institution’s finish in NCAA Championships.

“I had no idea what it would be like,” Braendli said. “I overwhelmed by literally everything. Beijing was completely different because I knew what to expect: the rules, the media, the opening ceremonies, the wards.”

This comfort allowed her to focus on why she was in Beijing in the first place: ice hockey. As the goaltender for the Swiss national team, Braendli played in seven games over two weeks, making it to the bronze-medal round. While Switzerland lost to Finland in the final match, Braendli recalls her time in China fondly already.

Her favorite memory is one from before the official start of the games. Prior to the opening ceremony’s parade of athletes, competitors waited in a holding area, together.

“We have to wait for two hours,” she said. “All the athletes are in one area together, having fun. That’s what the Olympics are all about, that shared spirit of sport, of being Olympics athletes together and getting to enjoy it. That’s what this is all about. And that still makes me smile.”

Several of Braendli’s Ohio State teammates were also in Beijing playing for their home countries. Since the teams were housed in close proximity, she was able to see a few other Buckeyes, both on and off the ice.

“It was special to see them in a different setting,” she said. “Usually, we’re playing with each other. Now seeing them at the Olympics, in China, it was mind-blowing. It was an amazing experience.”

In her limited free time, Braendli was able to watch other competitions. Her favorite was women’s big air snowboarding.

“I’ve never watched a big air competition live. That was a really cool experience,” she said.

When asked what she is bringing back to Columbus from Beijing, Braendli laughed.

“Other than a lot of souvenirs? A lot of experience. I learned about myself, about the sport I play, and about my teammates, of course,” she said. “I feel like I’ve grown a lot throughout this tournament. Those experiences will be helpful in upcoming games where we play against the best teams in college hockey.”

More relaxed than she was in Pyeongchang, Braendli was able to reflect more deeply on her experience on Team Switzerland, especially how it compares to playing for Ohio State. Switzerland, she said, is on a different level than countries like Canada (whose women’s ice hockey team won the gold medal), so every game was a fight.

“That was a huge difference for me because I play for Ohio State and we’re the number two team in the country right now.”

Still, Braendli is happy to be playing no matter where she is.

“It’s still the same sport, it’s still hockey,” she said. “You play against the best players in the world in China. Here, you play against the best college students.”

Three students spoke to The Ohio State University Board of Trustees Thursday about some of the success they’ve experienced in the new landscape of college athletics. Volleyball player Sarah Morbitzer, lacrosse player Mitchell Pehlke and football player Treveyon Henderson represent some of the different types of experiences available in the new NIL market.

Morbitzer, a preferred walk-on player, is not on scholarship and as a defensive specialist, she wasn’t sure she would benefit from these programs.

“Being a walk-on, my parents have to pay my tuition, room and board, and learning about NIL gave me the opportunity to earn some spending money on my own,” she said.

Morbitzer worked with Opendorse, a program that provides Ohio State student-athletes with education and resource opportunities to capitalize on their name, image and likeness, to develop a series of in-person volleyball training programs for which she is compensated to help local players improve their game.

Henderson, whose sponsorships include a local car dealer, said he is able to make enough money to help support his mom and siblings in Virginia and invest in his own future.

“Being a student-athlete here at The Ohio State University is a big advantage due to the huge support we get from our fan base, alumni and the Columbus community,” he said.

For Pehlke, NIL revenue meant renewed support for his passion as a content creator. Pehlke has been creating content on his YouTube channel since 2016. His lacrosse-inspired videos have more than 4.5 million total views and he has 130,000 subscribers across social media platforms.

“The moment I stepped foot on campus my freshman year, I had to demonetize my whole YouTube channel,” he said. “That was very tough for me, but the commitment to play lacrosse and to the university was obviously No. 1.”

Now, with the new rules and his Ohio State connections, Pehlke said he has almost $200,000 in marketing deals and monthly income from YouTube views.

“There’s a great diversity and opportunities that our athletes have availed themselves of,” said Gene Smith, senior vice president and Wolfe Foundation endowed athletic director. “While there's concern and challenges around NIL, this is representative of why it’s good.”

Smith said so far more than 620 deals have combined for nearly $3 million in transactions. Most deals are between $25 to $500, and the average deal is $4,777. The average is skewed because of a few six-figure NIL deals.

The university’s approach to support student-athletes continues to evolve. The Department of Athletics recently launched the NIL Edge Team, an internal advisory group whose members can assist student-athletes with access and resources to successfully pursue NIL opportunities. The Edge Team may work with companies and brands to assist in the NIL process, and it will also have the flexibility to monitor and adapt to changing guidelines and legislation.

In addition, new university guidelines will designate operations directors for most of Ohio State’s 36 varsity sports to serve as NIL points-of-contact for their sports. The operations directors will be able to assist with facilitating a connection for an NIL activity while also educating outside entities on NIL best practices at Ohio State.

Ohio State football ranks second all-time in wins and will play its 133rd season in 2022 in 100-year-old Ohio Stadium, which is nestled nicely along the banks of the Olentangy River as well as on the National Register of Historic Places.

So, you don’t mess too much with change on something of such historical significance. You tweak.

And that’s what the Ohio State Department of Athletics has done with the look of the new field that will be installed in June and July in Ohio Stadium. The same field and design will also replace the outdated indoor surface at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center with work set for April, May and June.

Fan-Inspired Concepts

The department engaged Buckeye Nation in October 2021 to send in fan-inspired design concepts for the field. More than 1,300 designs were submitted, and elements most favored by fans included the Block O at midfield (59%), incorporating Buckeye leaves (48%) and scarlet end zones (46%, compared to 21% suggesting gray end zones).

All three of those elements, plus others favored by fans, are included in the new design that was ultimately determined by an internal panel. Details of the design include:  

• The Block O at midfield has been emphasized with the outer strokes color adjusted to gray.
• Buckeye leaf decals replace the two X’s at the respective 35-yard line kickoff locations.
• Official OHIO STATE and BUCKEYES athletics word marks, consistent with those on other venue playing surfaces and on team uniforms and apparel, are in the two scarlet end zones.
• The outer boundaries of play have been color adjusted to gray to complement the scarlet end zones.
• Yard line numbering matches the block type font on the players’ uniforms. 
• The iconic black/white/scarlet striping pattern, found most prominently on Buckeye helmets, will have a home in each end zone along the end lines, matching the width of the goal posts.

Fans will see the new turf first on Sept. 3, when Ohio State hosts the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

2022 Ticket Information

For those interested in becoming a new season ticket holder, or for more information on 2022 season football tickets, please visit https://go.osu.edu/fbtix.  

2022 Ohio State Schedule

Sept. 3 – Notre Dame

Sept. 10 – Arkansas State

Sept. 17 – Toledo

Sept. 24 – Wisconsin

Oct. 1 – Rutgers

Oct. 8 – at Michigan State

Oct. 15 – Off

Oct. 22 – Iowa

Oct. 29 – at Penn State

Nov. 5 – at Northwestern

Nov. 12 – Indiana

Nov. 19 – at Maryland

Nov. 26 – Michigan

Dec. 3 – Big Ten Championship Game

When the first women’s ice hockey games begin at the Winter Olympics on Feb. 3, five countries will have Buckeyes on their teams. The team rosters for Canada, Switzerland, Finland, Sweden and the United States will be bolstered by the participation of Emma Maltais and Natalie Spooner, Andrea Braendli, Minttu Tuominen, Sofie Lundin, and Jincy Dunne, respectively.

This is the first time that two Buckeyes will play for Team Canada. Spooner is a 2012 graduate and the only player to score 100 goals while at Ohio State. She remains the program’s leading scorer. Beijing will mark Spooner’s third winter games. She has a gold medal from 2014 and a silver from 2018.

Joining her on Team Canada is Maltais, a 2021 graduate. This will be her first Olympics.

“It still does not feel real that I will be headed to the Olympic Games,” Maltais said. “I am so honored to be selected to this team and I am really excited I get to share this moment with an amazing group of people. I would not be anywhere close to this point if it wasn’t for The Ohio State University and my Buckeye family. I am so grateful to be a Buckeye and so excited that my dream of being an Olympian has come true.”

Maltais also brings an impressive scoring record. She holds the Ohio State title for single-season points (59) and assists (40), both of which were reached during the 2019-2020 season.

Maltais’ teammate Andrea Braendli is returning for her second Olympic games, this time as Switzerland’s starting goaltender.

“Andrea is an incredibly talented player and has made her mark in collegiate hockey, being arguably one of the best in the NCAA,” Ohio State head coach Nadine Muzerall said. “Her elite status is driven by her experience both internationally and in playing for Ohio State and in the WCHA. When she came back from the 2021 World Championships, she was on fire, so we are excited to see what she accomplishes at the Olympics.”

The program’s winningest goaltender, Braendli has 56 wins under her belt. Her hot streak has continued into this season: She has a .924 save percentage, among the best in the nation.

Minttu Tuominen is another returning Buckeye Olympian. Beijing will be the Finnish player’s fourth winter games; she has bronze medals from 2010 and 2018. She is second in Olympic appearances by a Buckeye.

“Minttu’s selection to her fourth Olympic team shows just how hard she works,” Muzerall said. “She is an incredible player and we are so proud to have her representing Ohio State at the Olympics. Minttu has been a role model for many of our players, being an example for what they can achieve if they’re willing to work for it.”

A Buckeye from 2009-2013, Tuominen played in 124 games and recorded 16 goals and 33 assists.

Sofie Lundin signed a letter of intent with Ohio State last fall. Before she becomes a Buckeye, the Helsingborg native will represent Sweden on the country’s national team.

“We are so proud of Sofie for making Sweden’s Olympic team,” Muzerall said. “I have been watching her grow for the last five years into such a mature player with so much natural talent. She has played with some of the best players not only in Sweden, but in the world, and will represent her country well as this has been a lifelong dream of hers.”

Rounding out the Buckeyes at this year’s Olympics is Jincy Dunne, who is one of eight first-timers on the United States’ team. Dunne graduated from Ohio State in 2019 but not before she accumulated a number of honors, making her one of the more decorated players in the women’s ice hockey program’s history.

Dunne was Ohio State’s Female Athlete of the Year in 2020 and a Big Ten Medal of Honor recipient. She was also team captain for four of her five seasons as a Buckeye and tied for third in the university’s records with 99 points as a defensive player.

“I am so happy for Jincy on making the Olympic roster,” said senior defenseman Sofie Jaques. “I know this is something she’s been dreaming about her whole life and with all the work she’s put in over the years on and off the ice, she deserves it more that anyone I know.”

All six players know that representing their home countries on the world stage is a tremendous honor. But, as Braendli noted last month, representing Buckeye Nation is an accomplishment of its own.

“It means the world to me. I want to show who I am as a Buckeye and as a Swiss national team member. I want to show what this program gave to me in the past four years,” she said. “I grew a lot and I feel like coming here, to play for Ohio State, was the best decision I could ever make. I want to show to everyone that I’m really proud to be a Buckeye.”

Also representing Ohio State in Beijing is Matt Tomkins, who played on the men’s ice hockey team from 2014-2017. The Buckeye alum joins Team Canada as a goalie.

The Big Ten’s Administrators Council, which includes the directors of athletics and senior women administrators from all 14 member institutions, approved the revisions.

Ohio State will play the same nine teams and at the same home or away locations, but the order and dates of the games have been modified for six of the nine games. Only the games at Northwestern (Nov. 5), Maryland (Nov. 19) and vs. Michigan (Nov. 26) remain unchanged.

The Buckeyes will kick off the 2022 campaign with five consecutive home games at Ohio Stadium, starting with the Sept. 3 season opener against Notre Dame. Home games in weeks four and five against Wisconsin – the Big Ten opener – and Rutgers now replace road contests at Michigan State and Penn State.

Ohio State football will now be off during autumn break (Oct. 13-16). Instead of a home game against Iowa on Oct. 15, the team will be off on that date and instead will play Iowa Oct. 22 during what previously was the off week. The Hawkeyes will also have Oct. 15 off before their trip to Columbus.

Games at Penn State and at Northwestern will close October and open November, respectively. A game at home against Indiana and one at Maryland will then precede the Nov. 26 contest against Michigan in Ohio Stadium.

2022 Ohio State Schedule (previously scheduled games)

• Sept. 3 – Notre Dame
• Sept. 10 – Arkansas State
• Sept. 17 – Toledo
• Sept. 24 – Wisconsin (at Michigan State)
• Oct. 1 – Rutgers (at Penn State)
• Oct. 8 – at Michigan State (Rutgers)
• Oct. 15 – Off (Iowa)
• Oct. 22 – Iowa (Off)
• Oct. 29 – at Penn State (Indiana)
• Nov. 5 – at Northwestern
• Nov. 12 – Indiana (Wisconsin)
• Nov. 19 – at Maryland
• Nov. 26 – Michigan
• Dec. 3 – Big Ten Championship Game

Sixty years ago, the Buckeyes were invited to the game but, because of a faculty council vote, did not participate. This decision led to protests on campus and in downtown Columbus. The vote and its outcome were “second only to a chimp zooming around the earth,” Shkurti said, referencing the front-page coverage the controversial decision received.

In 1961, the university’s football team, coming off an 8-0-1 season, was invited to play in the Rose Bowl. The Woody Hayes-coached team included Heisman runner-up Bob Ferguson and starters Paul Warfield and Matt Snell, and outscored their opponents 221-83. The team was all but guaranteed a trip to Pasadena for the game known as “The Grandaddy of Them All.”

Jones said that at the time, regional games received more attention than national championships.

“What was important to Ohio State was to win the Big Ten and to go to the Rose Bowl,” he said.

The issues that led to Ohio State’s thwarted Rose Bowl trip began more than five years earlier when Sports Illustrated reported on a recruiting scandal involving Hayes. According to the reporting, Hayes had been providing financial assistance to players with his own funds.

In 1957, the university released what came to be known as the Fullington Report in response to this coverage. The report called for more athletic oversight, including the expansion of Ohio State’s faculty council to give it additional control of the athletics program. (The Athletic Council, a University Senate committee of faculty, students, alumni, athletes, administrators and staff, now carries out this role.)

Two years after the release of the Fullington Report, several Big Ten schools, including Ohio State, chose not to sign a contract with the Rose Bowl after tempers flared over game negotiations.

“[There was] a tiff with the Rose Bowl people about the contract and visiting schools not getting their fair share,” Shkurti said. “So the negotiations dragged on for two years and, as a result, there was no contract.”

With Ohio State lacking a formal tie to the Rose Bowl organization, the faculty council controlled whether the university could send a team to the game at all. At the same time, tensions over metrics for academic and newly created athletic scholarships left the faculty council frustrated by what they considered to be differences in treatment between students and student-athletes.

It is with this background that the faculty council voted against sending the football team to the Rose Bowl in 1961. Protests began on campus almost immediately, with a group of students eventually marching downtown to voice their frustrations.

Despite eventual statements from Hayes and team members supporting the decision, the university and Columbus communities became more hostile – spurred, at least in part, by what Shkurti called inflammatory coverage of the events by the Columbus Dispatch. The paper “stood to lose money by not selling papers related to the Rose Bowl, so it gave this decision big coverage,” Shkurti said.

Reporters leaned heavily into the drama of the event, going so far as to publish contact information for members of the faculty council, some of whom received death threats, he said.

In time, fans came to accept the outcome and the protests died down. Ohio State still finished the season in second place in national polls and headed into the 1962 season ranked No. 1. In an interesting twist, football recruiting was initially damaged by the vote.

“Players in Ohio think that Ohio State’s deemphasizing football: ‘They don’t want to go to bowl games,’ and talent started leaving the state,” Jones said.

This led to Hayes expanding his recruiting base, which ultimately resulted in Ohio State recruiting players like Jack Tatum, a North Carolina and New Jersey native and a member of the 1968 team’s “Super Sophomores.” That team took Ohio State back to the Rose Bowl for the first time since the 1961 vote, where it beat the University of Southern California 27-16, earning the national championship.

To avoid a repeat of this situation, the faculty council voted 36-20 to approve a new Big Ten contract with the Rose Bowl the following year.

While the disappointment stung at the time, the Rose Bowl That Wasn’t is likely more well-known than the game would have been, with impacts that went far beyond the 1961 season.

This week, The Ohio State University Department of Athletics will start seeking fan-inspired design concepts for the new artificial turf that will replace the current turf in Ohio Stadium. Fans can submit their design concepts for what they’d like the new turf to look like to New Turf Design. An internal department panel will review the submitted designs and ultimately create the new look of the field.

Submissions to the link above can be in the form of photographs or PDFs. Downloadable templates are also included at the link above. Some fan submissions will be shared on social media from the official Ohio State athletics Twitter account: @OhioStAthletics.

Designs can be submitted through Friday, Oct. 29.

For more information on 2022 Ohio State football tickets, including full-season ticket packages, visit https://go.osu.edu/ticketinfo.

2022 Ohio State Schedule

Sept. 3 Notre Dame
Sept. 10 Arkansas State
Sept. 17 Toledo
Sept. 24 at Michigan State
Oct. 1 at Penn State
Oct. 8 Rutgers
Oct. 15 Iowa
Oct. 22 Off
Oct. 29 Indiana
Nov. 5 at Northwestern
Nov. 12 Wisconsin
Nov. 19 at Maryland
Nov. 26 Michigan

There were entry issues this past Saturday during the Oregon game, the first 100,000-plus crowd in Ohio Stadium in 657 days because of the COVID pandemic. Delays at some gates were caused by WiFi connectivity, staffing numbers and the learning curve with the new ticket pedestal scanners.

Since then, discussions on improvements have taken place within a number of areas to determine the improvements in the day of game experience at Ohio Stadium. Those steps include:

• Securing additional engineering support on site from the department’s WiFi partner to monitor and manage all of the connections that come through the access points in the stadium.
• Adding 27 more pedestal ticket scanners to a handful of gates that experienced the heaviest traffic along with 27 additional staff members. There will now be 147 pedestal scanners at Ohio Stadium.
• Distributing 80 additional hand-held ticket scanners to the gates for use as backup scanners.
• Increasing the number of metal detectors at the South Stands gates, adding additional police officers and stadium security to this location and revising the layout for scanning and entry.
• Hard-wiring the concession registers to better accommodate mobile ordering and to remain online, and increase the number of concessions workers.
• Continuing to educate and communicate the new protocols and changes this week through social media, media relations and other avenues.

Load Tickets to Your Mobile Wallets

One of the most important and proactive steps fans can do to assist the entry process at the gates is to load their mobile ticket to their iPhone or Google Pay wallet before arriving at the stadium, as 66% of scanned tickets last week were. (Click the “add to Apple Wallet/add to Google Pay” button in the official Ohio State Buckeyes app or phone web browser once tickets have been accessed.) It helps the process considerably, and it guarantees tickets will be available because WiFi is not needed to access tickets from a mobile wallet.

Digital Ticketing Guide: https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/digital-ticketing-guide/

Here’s How to Scan Your Phone at the Pedestal

Mobile tickets are easy to manage and they eliminate fraud. Last week 97.8% of tickets were scanned via mobile devices and there were no instances of fraud. There are two ways for fans to scan their tickets at a pedestal ticket scanner:

1. If you have a barcode on your mobile ticket, simply scan the dynamic barcode below the screen on the ticket pedestal.
2. If you don’t have a barcode and are using a mobile wallet “tap n go” ticket, tap the icon on the top of the pedestal scanner with the back of your phone.

Helpful Measures

• Load your ticket to your phone’s wallet before you arrive at the stadium, please!
• Have your ticket or your barcode “up” and visible on your phone before going through the metal detectors.
• Ticket office trouble shooting booths are located at Gates 5, 11, 14, the North Rotunda and behind the South Stands for those who are having difficulties.
• No mobile phone? The ticket office can print tickets at the Schottenstein Center ticket office (1-800-GOBUCKS) starting the Thursday before home games. On game day, visit one of the ticket trouble shooting booths.
• The official Ohio State Buckeyes app is an easy way to manage tickets and parking. Download the app from the App Store and Google Play.
• Because of construction on campus, please allow for plenty of time to get to campus and get parked.
• The gates open two hours before kickoff. We encourage all fans to arrive early.

One new option comes from Barrio Tacos. The Cleveland-based restaurant will have a concession stand on the main concourse this year. Fans can get chips, salsa, tacos and a margarita.

“They’re going to be serving their Barrio box, which will be two tacos: sirloin, chicken, or they have a vegetarian option,” said Chris North, director of operations for Levy, the food and beverage supplier to the stadium. “It’s filled with chips, salsa, guac or queso.”

Taste of the Competition returns with the new season and new opponents. The hamburgers are inspired by the flavors of the region of the visiting team. The Nittany burger, for example, has a western Pennsylvania inspiration and is topped with French fries, coleslaw and tomato.

Burgers aren’t the only item getting special attention.

“The 614 dog is what the culinary team came up with this year for our fans,” North said. “It’s a Sugardale hotdog topped with sauerkraut, diced onion and a stout brown mustard. So it’s got a little bit of spice and then a hot honey [flavor].”

Traditional fan favorites like hot dogs, popcorn and soft pretzels remain on the menu.

Changes to the game day experience go beyond snacks and drinks. The stadium features a more robust mobile ordering option though the Ohio State Buckeyes app.

“With the QR codes that we have laid out in the concourse, it’s as simple as taking a picture with your phone, and it takes you straight to the website,” North said.

The QR codes are located outside of each concession stand and offer items from that concession stand only so customers are sure to order from the right location.

Another technology change: All parking lots and garages, the stadium ticket office, concession locations and merchandise stands will be cashless. All major credit cards and Apple Pay or Google Pay will be accepted at these locations.

For all game day information, visit www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/gameday.

For a winning fan experience, The Ohio State University is encouraging attendees to allow additional time to get in and out of the stadium area as traffic and parking changes may cause delays.

Ohio State continues to invest in the future of teaching, research and patient care through active construction projects that will change the way to get to and from campus on game day. Here are some of the important details:

• If you’re parking and riding from west campus, you’ll now board shuttles at Carmack 1 – the far eastern parking lot – rather than the Mount Hall Loop, which is under construction.
• Shuttles will drop off at the Herrick Drive Transit Hub, south of Ohio Stadium. At the end of the game, you can board the shuttles at the Herrick Drive Transit Hub to go back to Carmack 1.
• John Herrick Drive, including the Herrick Bridge and Vernon L. Tharp Street, will be closed with limited access to parking. Please look for different routes.
• Woody Hayes Drive will be closed between John Herrick Drive and Kenny Road. If you’re trying to get to west campus or the Ag Lot parking, you should find different routes along Lane Avenue and Fyffe Road. 
• COTA will not run transit service this season from the Fairgrounds or Crosswoods Park. 
• Fans will have access to COTA’s fixed-route bus service on game day. Lines 1, 2, 8, 22, 31 and 102 all serve the Ohio State campus area and most provide service every 15 to 30 minutes. 

For all game day information, including traffic maps and updates, visit www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/gameday.

The Department of Athletics has a new official Ohio State Buckeyes app that fans are encouraged to download – free – for not only season ticket and parking access, but also game day info, team stats, rosters and more. In addition: 

• Fans attending games at Ohio Stadium will need to be aware of some road restrictions. 
• All game tickets will be accessible via mobile devices. 
• Access to parking lots will be via mobile passes, and public lots will be cashless operations. 
• Everyone will pass through a metal detector upon entry to Ohio Stadium. 
• Fans will scan their own ticket into the game at a pedestal ticket scanner. 

Here’s a closer look at the changes and technologies that will be in place for games this season. 

New Ohio State Buckeyes app

The best way to access season tickets and parking passes is through the Ohio State Buckeyes app. The Department of Athletics is rolling out a new official app that is compatible with both iOS and Android devices. For those fans who already have the Ohio State Buckeyes app, this new update is available now in the Apple and Google Play app stores. To download the app for the first time, visit the Apple App Store or Google Play, or search “Ohio State Buckeyes” in your device’s app store.

The official Ohio State Buckeyes app will feature mobile ticket management, concessions ordering, venue mapping and free live audio of the game along with numerous other options. For more app info: https://go.osu.edu/new_ath_app 

Traffic and shuttles

Ohio State continues to invest in the future of teaching, research and patient care through active construction projects that will change the way many fans enter and exit campus on game day. All fans should plan ahead, arrive early and allow additional time to get inside the stadium.

• Fans parking and riding from west campus will now board shuttles at Carmack 1 – the far eastern parking lot – rather than the Mount Hall Loop, which is under construction. Shuttles will drop off at the Herrick Drive Transit Hub, located south of Ohio Stadium, rather than the Sisson Lot. At the conclusion of the game, fans can board the shuttles at the Herrick Drive Transit Hub for the return trip to Carmack 1.
• John Herrick Drive, including the Herrick Bridge and Tharpe Street, will be closed to the public, limiting access to parking. Please seek alternative routes.
• Woody Hayes Drive will be closed to the public between John Herrick Drive and Kenny Road. Fans trying to access west campus or the Ag Lot parking should seek alternative routes along Lane Avenue and Fyffe Road. 
• COTA will not run transit service this season from the Fairgrounds or Crosswoods Park. 
• Fans will have access to COTA’s fixed-route bus service on game day. Lines 1, 2, 8, 22, 31 and 102 all serve the Ohio State campus area and most provide service every 15 to 30 minutes. 

Fans are encouraged to visit www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/gameday for all game day information, including traffic maps and updates. 

Game tickets

Fans will no longer receive their game tickets in the mail and instead will display their tickets on their mobile device. Mobile tickets offer contactless entry into Ohio Stadium, and other athletics venues, along with greater convenience and safety. Fans can access their tickets online, transfer to family and friends, utilize Buckeyes TicketExchange or donate tickets to charity. Mobile tickets will be available for fans to access as soon as they have selected their seats for the 2021 season and are paid in full. Options for fans without smart phones will be forthcoming.

More information on accessing and managing mobile tickets can be found by visiting Ohio State’s Digital Ticketing Guide.

Parking

All parking will be cashless this year and passes will be on fans’ mobile devices. Individuals with season parking permits will access their passes via their Ohio State Buckeyes account alongside their game tickets. Fans will scan the QR code on their mobile device upon entry to the parking lot. 

Credit cards only will be accepted at all public parking locations. Apple Pay and Google Pay will not be accepted. The price to park is $20.

Cashless operations 

Cashless operations will be utilized throughout Ohio Stadium this year, including for program sales, concessions, ticket office transactions and merchandise. Fans will be able to make purchases with Apple Pay/Google Pay or a credit or debit card. Cash will not be accepted. 

Ticket pedestals

All gates into Ohio Stadium will have ticket pedestals – there will be 120 such pedestals in the stadium –that fans will use to scan their ticket from their own mobile device. 

Metal detectors 

All Ohio Stadium entry gates will be equipped with the latest technology in walk-through metal detectors that guests will need to pass through for entry. Fans will not need to empty their pockets unless instructed by stadium security. The goal is for a frictionless entry into Ohio Stadium. 

No bag policy

Ohio State will continue its no bag policies at Ohio Stadium and all athletic department venues. Small bags, no larger than 5x8x1 inches will be permitted. Guests with medical or child care needs will be permitted to carry one bag, no larger than 14x14x4 inches, into the stadium through one of these two locations: the Band Center entrance between Gates 10 and 12, or the Press Entrance between the Huntington Club and Gate 23.

Medical Center restricted to patients’ needs

The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center will be restricted to only patients, visitors, faculty and staff on game days. It can no longer be a “cut through” for fans walking to Ohio Stadium. If you are heading to the game, please be considerate of our patients and do not use the hospital as a cut-through.

Mask policies

Ohio State University updated its mask protocols last week to enhance the health and safety of the campus community and to reflect updated guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Students, faculty, staff and visitors to all Ohio State campuses and medical facilities are required to wear masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status. Masks are required outdoors for unvaccinated individuals when they cannot maintain physical distancing. Vaccinated people are not required to mask outdoors. 

Football game day mask policies include: 

Skull Session – All staff and guests will be required to wear masks; the Marching Band and the football team will wear masks. 

French Field House – All events will require masks for all staff and guests. 

Ohio Stadium – Masks will be required in all interior public spaces, which includes the Huntington Club, elevators, first aid rooms, restrooms and press box. Masks will not be required for outdoor public spaces, which include the entry gates, concourses, concession stands and the seating bowl. 

Public transportation – Masks will continue to be required for all campus public transportation, including game day ADA and west campus shuttles. 

Ohio State encourages everyone to get vaccinated as soon as possible. 

Additional 2021 game day notes: 

• The Ohio State University Marching Band’s skull session will return to St. John Arena.
• The “Tailgate Guys” will now be located at the northeast corner of Lane Avenue and Fred Taylor Drive. 
• Fan Fest, located along the lawn in front of St. John Arena and the ROTC building, will return this season with expanded offerings, including alcohol sales.

DeWine noted that colleges throughout the state would be at a disadvantage without rules helping student-athletes take advantage of the opportunities NIL rights will allow. The NCAA is expected to consider NIL proposals for Division I athletes this week. However, several states have legislation that will take effect July 1.

“I want to thank Gov. DeWine for supporting our student-athletes. I know firsthand how hard these student-athletes work to excel in the classroom and in their sport, and allowing them to benefit from their name, image and likeness and capitalize on their hard work is the right thing to do,” said President Kristina M. Johnson. “I am hopeful the NCAA and Congress will set national guidelines for name, image and likeness. In the meantime, this executive order will ensure that Ohio colleges and universities continue to attract the best and brightest student-athletes.”

The executive order is based on legislation proposed by State Sen. Niraj Antani last month. Gene Smith, senior vice president and Wolfe Foundation Endowed Athletics Director, joined Antani for the announcement of the legislation at the Covelli Center. Today, Smith thanked DeWine for taking action.

“I’m thankful and appreciative to Governor DeWine for signing this executive order. It not only will have a great benefit on our student-athletes at Ohio State, but also all student-athletes throughout the state of Ohio,” he said. “While we still have work to do in order to secure national standards surrounding name, image and likeness, I am thrilled that we’re moving forward. It’s a positive step, and most importantly, it is simply the right thing to do. We’re committed to providing all our student-athletes the very best education so they can maximize the opportunities that will exist.”

Under the governor’s order and Antani’s proposal, students must notify their college or university of any commercial agreement before it is finalized. The order would prohibit students from signing agreements to promote alcohol, tobacco, marijuana or casinos – Antani said many college students are under 21, so the restriction made sense.

Fields is the 12th football player to win Ohio State’s Male Athlete of the Year and the third in the last three years (Dwayne Haskins won the award in 2018-19 and Chase Young in 2019-20). Aquilla is the seventh women’s track and field athlete to be named Ohio State’s Female Athlete of the Year. Her teammate, Sade Olatoye, was the last one in 2018-19.

Aquilla has been the dominant shot put thrower in the Big Ten Conference and nationally in 2021. The junior communications and hospitality management major won her second consecutive Big Ten Conference indoor shot put championship in March. She then won the national championship at the NCAA indoor championships. The Rocky River, Ohio, native sent the shot a school-record 18.12m / 59-5 1/2 to win the 2021 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships.

Those efforts earned Aquilla the Big Ten Conference’s indoor field athlete of the championships and its field athlete of the year honors.

She repeated outdoors. First, Aquilla won the Big Ten outdoor shot put championship, breaking the Big Ten championships record twice with her final winning throw of 19.12 / 62-8 3/4 topping her own school mark and personal best by nearly 3 feet. Two weeks ago she won the NCAA national championship, launching her final throw of the competition 18.98m / 62-3 1/4 to secure her second national championship.

And once again, Aquilla earned the Big Ten’s top honors, being named its outdoor field athlete of the championships and its field athlete of the year honors.

Aquilla is currently in Eugene, Oregon, prepping and training for the U.S. Olympic Trials.

Fields, who led Ohio State to a 20-2 record and back-to-back College Football Playoff appearances, capped off his Buckeye career by being named the Big Ten Conference Graham-George Offensive Player of the Year and Griese-Brees Quarterback of the Year in 2020.

After guiding the Buckeyes to their fourth consecutive Big Ten championship, he saved his most memorable performance for the Allstate Sugar Bowl and College Football Playoff semifinal vs. Clemson. He completed 22 of 28 passes for 385 yards and a Sugar Bowl-record six touchdown passes – all while playing through an injury suffered in the second quarter – as Ohio State topped the second-ranked Tigers 49-28 to earn a spot in the CFP National Championship Game.

Over his 22-game career, Fields threw for 5,373 yards with 63 touchdowns compared to only nine interceptions. His 70.2 completion percentage in 2020 was a school record, and he has the school record in passing efficiency (179.1) as well as the top two single season efficiency marks: 181.4 in 2019 and 175.6 in 2020.

Fields became Ohio State’s 22nd winner of the Chicago Tribune Silver Football in 2020, which is voted on by the league’s 14 head coaches and is awarded to the conference’s best player. He also finished seventh in the Heisman Trophy voting. In May, Fields was selected 11th overall in the first round of the NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears.

Tuesday, June 1

• Invoicing starts for renewing season ticket holders, including for those who rolled over funds from the 2020 season
• Season ticket deposits will be accepted for new season tickets purchasers at the following link: 2021 Season Tickets

Wednesday, June 2

• Faculty/staff season tickets go on sale, including for those who rolled over funds from the 2020 season

Week of June 21

• Student sale of season tickets begins Monday, June 21 and runs through Thursday, June 24

Early August

• The department hopes to have inventory available to put a four-game “flex” plan and two three-game “mini” plans on sale in early August with more details to come in July

Mid-August

• Single game ticket sales will begin in mid-August, including traditional presale opportunities for Varsity O and Alumni Association members

Seat Selection Process

A seat selection process for season-ticket holders will take place this summer. The Department of Athletics will develop all safety protocols regarding attendance in partnership with health and medical officials, including Columbus Public Health.

“Our hope is that we are at full capacity for our football games,” Senior Vice President and Wolfe Foundation Director of Athletics Gene Smith said. “We will continue to work with our university partners and with Columbus Public Health on all of our safety protocols, including strongly encouraging those who are eligible to get vaccinated. You’ll continue to hear that message of support for vaccinations a lot from our department, the university and Columbus Public Health because it is a key component to having a full stadium in the fall.”

Season ticket holders can expect to receive information regarding the seat selection process in early July.

Mobile-Only Ticketing

Ohio State will employ mobile-only ticketing for all events moving forward, enabling contactless entry into Ohio Stadium and other athletics venues. Offering greater convenience and safety, fans can access their ticket online, transfer to family and friends, utilize Buckeyes TicketExchange, or donate tickets to charity.

Vaccinations Important

Ohio State strongly encourages everyone who is eligible to get their COVID-19 vaccination if they have not done so already. The vaccine has been proven to be safe and effective. Vaccine appointments can be scheduled via the Wexner Medical Center by logging into MyChart. Individuals who are not patients of the Wexner Medical Center or those who do not have a MyChart account can call 614-688-VAXX (8299) for assistance. More information, including vaccination sites and frequently asked questions, is available on the Wexner Medical Center website.

Antani announced his plan to introduce the legislation Monday at a press conference at The Ohio State University. Gene Smith, senior vice president and Wolfe Foundation Endowed Athletics Director, joined Antani for the announcement at the Covelli Center and said the proposed bill represents a great opportunity for student-athletes.

“I’m so glad that the senator has stepped up to work with us to have a piece of legislation in Ohio that will allow our student-athletes this opportunity,” Smith said.

Antani said the bill was informed by his time as a student at Ohio State.

“I saw how hard student-athletes worked, both their academics and their sport of choice, since that time at Ohio State,” he said. “I strongly believe that students have an inherent right to their own image and likeness. I saw students who were on scholarship struggle to get by, including some of the biggest names.”

Before now, Ohio was one of 11 states with no proposed legislation. Some states that compete against Ohio State head-to-head have already passed NIL legislation, including Alabama, Georgia and Michigan.

“We cannot let Michigan win,” Antani joked.

The NCAA is expected to consider NIL proposals for Division I athletes next month. However, absent NCAA reform or federal legislation, Antani said now is the time to act. He intends to see the legislation passed and enacted by July 1.

As proposed, the legislation would require students to notify their college or university of any commercial agreement 15 days before it is finalized. The bill would prohibit students from signing agreements to promote alcohol, tobacco, marijuana or casinos – Antani said many college students are under 21, so this restriction seemed prudent.

Smith said if the bill becomes law, Olympic sport athletes stand to benefit significantly because many of them are on partial scholarships that don’t cover the full cost of their education. He said the university would be prepared to help student-athletes navigate this new world.

“We will not approve or veto a deal. We’ll just help them understand the deal and how it’s being set up,” he said. “And then we’ll also talk to them about how does that affect your brand, with that particular partner and other opportunities that you have ahead of you. This is all educational.”

The thump of the marching band bass drums, the flash of a cheerleader’s silvery pom-pom, Brutus stooping to kiss the boot of Infectious Diseases Division Director Susan Koletar, who’d fractured her right ankle two months earlier pretending the floor was lava with a friend’s grandchildren. It was all so loud and exciting, and critical care nurse Anne Spiller made it a point to let it wash over her, to drink in the sounds and the sights and make it something she’d remember.

“I’m just going to take this in,” Spiller had said, just before she and Koletar left a suite at Ohio Stadium Saturday and went down to the field for the coin toss at The Ohio State University football’s famed Spring Game.

They’d found out a few days before that they’d been chosen for the honor, a recognition of their dedication during the grueling days of the previous year and a celebration of the heroics of health care workers everywhere. While they both considered themselves merely representatives of their teams, they were inarguably good ones: Koletar, an infectious diseases expert who’s been at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center for 33 years, has been a leader in COVID-19 vaccination and prevention efforts throughout the state and the Big Ten Conference. Spiller, a nurse for 35 years — 24 of them at Ohio State — has continuously been at the bedside of COVID-19 patients as a member of the Medical Intensive Care Unit.

“It’s been the most challenging year of my nursing career,” Spiller said. “But we’ve gotten through it really well as a team.”

She thought of that as she woke up Saturday morning — this whole idea of teamwork, of the way we’ve carried one another, especially throughout the past year, when one of us can’t summon the strength. It reminded her of where she was headed that day — to watch one of the country’s best football teams as its latest class learned how to prop one another up and find their collective way into the end zone.

Teamwork was on Koletar’s mind, too, as she thought through the quick progress in the battle against COVID-19, light speed compared to the response to HIV, the virus that started her career.

“It’s really been an effort of solidarity and commitment to get through this,” she said. “And I think and I hope that same sense of community will continue.”

Buckeyes know a thing or two about community, which is why so many show up every year to what is essentially a public scrimmage. On Saturday, nearly 20,000 fans, many of them front-line medical center staff, speckled the Spring Game stands, appropriately masked and spaced 6 feet apart as Ohio State tested out new safety protocols for the 2021 fall season. It was a marked difference from the past season, which had been without fans, cheerleaders, Brutus and the band. This time, Brutus was there. The spirit squad was there. The band was there, and a few feet away in a golf cart, Spiller and Koletar were there, waiting to flip a coin.

They both wore Ohio State-themed masks. Koletar’s gray boot complemented Spiller’s scarlet windbreaker. When the clock struck noon, they headed to the 50-yard line, Koletar pushing along the turf on a scooter (“like rolling on carpet,” she said), joined by none other than Buckeyes Head Coach Ryan Day, who walked over to thank them for their work.

The two had discussed who might toss the coin and, after a few wobbly practice attempts with a quarter, Spiller had deferred to Koletar — though a referee ended up throwing it anyway (also, for future reference, the coin is much larger than a quarter). When he called out Koletar as an honorary captain, applause filled the stadium.

And then it was over, and they headed off the field and back to the third-floor suite to watch the game, greeted by cheers from some of their team members.

“It was fun, and completely not what I expected to do this Saturday,” Koletar said. “I’m thrilled to have had the opportunity to do this, especially in honor of my team.”

The capacity was determined with the guidance of Columbus Public Health and with respect to the new health orders announced by Gov. Mike DeWine this week. The capacity was set based on seat mapping and the still-current guideline of six-feet of distance between seating pods.

“On behalf of the university and the Department of Athletics, I want to sincerely thank Gov. DeWine, Dr. Mysheika Roberts and Columbus Public Health, and Mayor Ginther and the City of Columbus for their collective leadership throughout this pandemic,” Gene Smith, Senior Vice President & Wolfe Foundation Endowed Athletics Director, said. “We are not through this health crisis yet, but the collaboration among all of these entities has enabled us to safely return fans to our venues and, in particular, Ohio Stadium next week for the spring game.”

Appreciation Seats

Approximately 10,000 seats will be given to the Wexner Medical Center and select entities on campus whose staff has cared for and administered to others for over a year by working and serving on the front lines of this pandemic.

The department anticipates approximately 4,500 tickets, at $5 per ticket, will be available to the general public. An additional 2,500 tickets in the south stands will be reserved for Ohio State students at no charge. The remaining seats will be held for football players’ and coaching staff families with any tickets remaining from those groups going into the general public pool.

Tickets on sale Monday

Tickets for the spring game will go on sale to the general public at 11 a.m. Monday online at ticketmaster.com. Season ticket holders will receive information via email on Friday regarding presale access.

Ohio State students can reserve two seats from the 2,500-seat allotment Monday beginning at 2 p.m., and will receive instructions via email on Friday for how to claim tickets.

Noon kick on Big Ten Network

The spring game will be televised live on the Big Ten Network. It will also be carried on the statewide Ohio State Sports Radio Network and flagship WBNS 97.1 FM The Fan with Paul Keels, Jim Lachey and Matt Andrews on the call.

The Band and Spirit Squad, Too

Ohio State will use this spring game as a test run opportunity for the 2021 fall season in terms of safety policies and procedures. The band and the spirit squad – Brutus Buckeye, the cheerleaders and dance team – will all be in attendance and performing.

In addition, a limited number of media will be credentialed for the game.

No Tailgating

Parking in the lots around the stadium is free, although the west stadium lot will be designated as a pass-only parking lot. Tailgating will not be allowed in parking lots or anywhere on Ohio State’s campus.

Safe Attendance Policies/Additional Info

The Department of Athletics is aligned with the university, the state of Ohio and Columbus Public Health in making the health, safety and well-being of our student-athletes, administrative staff and visitors to campus our priority. Athletics will continue to follow all federal, state, local, and conference guidance and protocols for hosting and playing sports. Safety measures for the spring game include:

• Masks will be mandatory for all guests and event staff at all times while attending the spring game as well as additional events at Ohio State’s athletic venues and facilities.
• All guests and staff will be asked to remain six feet apart.
• In areas where the department anticipates lines forming, there will be ground markings placed six feet apart on the floor/pavement.
• “Control Staff” and restroom attendants will remind guests to remain diligent with hand washing and safe distancing.
• Fans will be reminded to stay seated while actively eating or drinking.
• Ohio State has a No Bag Policy. Bags or purses of any size are NOT permitted in Ohio Stadium. Wallets and wristlets no larger than 5”x8”x1” are permitted.
• All items and persons entering Ohio Stadium are subject to security screening and inspection. Guests entering with medical, dietary, or childcare may enter through the Band Entrance (near Gate 10) or Press Entrance (near Gate 23) to have their items inspected.

“The tennis coach here, Ty Tucker, has been unbelievable. He allows me to go over to the tennis courts a couple times a week and I try to hit the tennis ball as hard as I can,” Day said. “It doesn’t go in play very much, but I try to hit it as hard as I can and after 45 minutes, I feel a lot better.”

For Day, it’s less about aspirations for a new athletic career and more about managing his physical and mental well-being.

“You sweat, hit the ball, scream and yell and maybe curse at the ball. You come out feeling better about yourself and you can go on with your day. I think those things really help in having an outlet,” he said.

Having an outlet or an escape is a critical part of Day’s mental health routine. It was part of the advice and message he delivered to students as the featured speaker for a discussion on mental health during the pandemic presented by Undergraduate Student Government, Block O, Ohio Union Activities Board, Mental Health Matters, MindVersity and Student-Athlete Peer Educators.

“We all have physical health and mental health, and to take time and only really focus on your physical health and not mental health is a recipe for disaster,” Day said.

He discussed the importance of breaking the stigma of mental health difficulties, while sharing how mental health has affected him personally. He also answered student questions and explained what works in his life.

Day is a powerful advocate for mental well-being, having had a deeply personal experience with the importance of mental health: His father Ray died by suicide when Ryan was 9 years old.

“The truth of the matter is nobody knew. It was a shock to everybody in my family and everybody he knew,” he said.

Suicide is the most extreme outcome of poor mental health. However, as Day explained, mental illness can manifest in alcohol and drug abuse, infidelity, gambling addiction, high anxiety or apathy.

Day said one key to his mental well-being, in addition to smashing tennis balls, is a support system of people who love him and help him, but also tell him the truth. He said proper rest and diet make a big difference in his life, as well.

He also said it is important to recognize the natural up and down of normal life. There is value in celebrating success and achievement. It’s also okay to just hold on when you are faced with challenges.

“Life is all about ups and downs. We all go through ups and downs. When things are well and it’s on an upswing, enjoy it the best you can. Hug your family, hug your friends, get all you can get. Love it, enjoy it, laugh, have fun,” he said. “But at some point, it is going to go back down, and when it goes back down and it gets hard and it gets tough, you just have to hang on. That’s all you do is hang on because eventually, if you just hang on, it’s going to turn and it’s going to go back up. That’s just the way life works.”

Day was joined by Chief Wellness Officer and College of Nursing Dean Bernadette Melnyk, who reminded students of some of the services that exist at Ohio State to serve them.

“Please, access our resources. Engage in our programming. If we don't take the time now for good self-care, we’re going to have to take the time for illness later,” she said.

The university’s Counseling and Consultation Service provides individual and group mental health services as well as prevention and outreach programming to students. The Ohio State: Wellness app offers information and access to resources on cellphones, computers or tablets. Melnyk also mentioned a new Mask On/Mood Up campaign to promote evidence-based tactics with mask-wearing that promote mental well-being.

“Please engage in our programming because we know resilience helps to prevent mental and physical health problems,” she said.

The Ohio State Board of Trustees will vote later today on expanding the configuration of Ohio Stadium from two price zones to six price zones and to assign the individual game and season ticket pricing for the 2022 football season.

The Board of Trustees will also vote during its quarterly meeting today on a recommendation from Athletics for no price increases on season tickets for the 2021 Ohio State football season. If the recommendation is approved by the board, this will be the second consecutive year that season ticket prices will not be increased.

The Transition to PSCs

The Buckeye Club’s transition – to a per-seat contribution (PSC) model – will benefit fans and season ticket holders by providing greater access to season tickets, more opportunities to increase the number of season tickets per person and a wider range of seating options. This transition will also modernize an outdated and fragmented model that is no longer able to generate the revenue needed to support the $29 million grant-in-aid costs for Ohio State student-athletes.

The benefits of the PSC model for current and new season ticket holders are numerous:

• A majority of seats – just over 52% – will have an annual per-seat contribution of $250 or less.
• Nearly one-third of the current season ticket holders will pay less for their same seats.
• More than 14,000 season ticket locations will be available to the general public without an annual contribution beyond the cost of the tickets themselves.
• An equitable, level playing field will exist within the seating zones as everyone in the respective zones will have paid a per-seat contribution for their seat(s).

Ohio Stadium will be divided into six pricing zones in the PSC model. Each zone will have a different annual per-seat contribution and ticket price. The per-seat contribution will range from $0 to $1,500. Student season tickets will not require an annual contribution and will remain priced, for the 10th consecutive year, at $34 per game.

Premium seating areas (club seats, loges and suites) will not be subject to a per-seat contribution. Additionally, there are season ticket holders who historically have not been required to pay an annual Buckeye Club contribution to qualify for tickets. These exceptions will no longer exist. Faculty and staff selecting seats in zones for which a per-seat contribution is required will continue to receive a 20% discount on the season ticket price as well as on the per-seat-contribution.

Season ticket prices in front of the Board of Trustees for the eight-game 2022 home season, which features contests against Notre Dame, Iowa, Wisconsin and Michigan, will range from $710 up to $1,287.

The process to select parking will also transition into a more equitable process for season ticket holders, who will now have a selection window to choose a parking lot based on their giving level and priority points.

The Department of Athletics has explored modernizing its Buckeye Club model several times in the past 10 years and has implemented some changes, but all were within the framework of the outdated model. The PSC model is being used successfully by Power 5 peer schools around the country, and the department believes it can lower the total price of entry for many fans while also generating additional donations to fund student-athlete scholarships in all 36 sports.

The Department of Athletics continues to work with state and local health officials on protocols surrounding fan attendance at games. Once more details become available, information will be sent regarding 2021 season ticket renewals and seat selection timelines and processes.

The changes are relatively minimal regarding Ohio State’s schedule.

Comparing it with the prior version of the 2021 schedule, Ohio State’s revised 2021 schedule features the same nine Big Ten teams, the same dates for home and away games and the same locations per date (home or away). The changes are reflected in a shuffled lineup of game dates.

Ohio State still opens on the road at Minnesota on Thursday, Sept. 2, has its same off week of Oct. 16 and closes the season against Michigan in Ann Arbor on Nov. 27.

The changes involving the other seven games are reflected in the sequencing of those games in the schedule below:

2021 Schedule (former schedule)

Sept. 2 – at Minnesota

Sept. 11 – Oregon

Sept. 18 – Tulsa

Sept. 25 – Akron

Oct. 2 – at Rutgers (at Nebraska)

Oct. 9 – Maryland (Purdue)

Oct. 16 – Off (Off)

Oct. 23 – at Indiana (at Rutgers)

Oct. 30 – Penn State (Michigan State)

Nov. 6 – at Nebraska (at Indiana)

Nov. 13 – Purdue (Maryland)

Nov. 20 – Michigan State (Penn State)

Nov. 27 – at Michigan

Dec. 4 – Big Ten Championship Game

It remains one of the largest athletic departments in the country and brought in more than it spent. The department spent $215,209,566, which is down 2.4% from $220,572,956, according to the annual report.

The pandemic’s impact on the athletic department began in March 2020, and altered competition scheduled for winter and spring sports, along with practice schedules, camps, recruiting and business operations department-wide. Financial figures for the 2020-2021 academic year, including the 2020 football season, will be in the fiscal year 2021 report. That report is expected to show a significant reduction in revenue when it is released next year.

“I feel for our student-athletes whose experiences have been hampered since the spring,” said Gene Smith, senior vice president and Wolfe Foundation endowed athletics director. “While the full financial effect of the pandemic will be felt in the next fiscal year, I’m pleased with how the athletic department and athletes showed resiliency in adjusting to a sudden, once-in-a-lifetime situation that saw all spring sports except tennis canceled.”

Other interesting notes from the report include:

• Giving from individuals, foundations and companies was up almost $20 million, to $48,197,862 from $29,681,048.
• Sports camp revenues fell to $1,524,510 from $2,113,923. This is because the pandemic canceled summer camps that are normally held in May and June.
• Ticket sales, which remain the largest source of athletics revenue, brought in $65,978,534, up 10.2% from $59,847,907 in 2019.
• At $115,510,031, football brought in 49.4% of total athletic department revenue, while spending $52,616,230 – 24.4% of the department’s total expenses. Football spent 12.4% less than last year’s $60,076,743.
• Money from sponsorships and licensing agreements continues an upward march. In 2020 the athletic department brought in $30,825,698, up 34.5% from $22,921,170 in 2019.

Ohio State’s athletic department is self-funded, receives no tuition or tax dollars and generates revenue for the university’s academic mission.

The decision by the presidents to postpone was based upon the recommendation of medical experts within the Big Ten Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases in collaboration with the Big Ten Sports Medicine Committee.

“As a former collegiate athlete whose career in sports was cut short by circumstances beyond my control, I deeply feel the pain, frustration and disappointment that all our players, coaches and staff – and all Buckeye fans – are feeling today,” said Ohio State President-elect Kristina M. Johnson. “I will continue to work closely with Athletics Director Gene Smith, Coach Ryan Day and all coaches and other leaders, to return our student-athletes to competition as soon as possible, while staying safe and healthy.

“We are focused on supporting our student-athletes in every way, ensuring their scholarships are still in place, and looking out for their health and safety and the health and safety of all our students as they continue to pursue their studies in these challenging times,” Johnson said. 

The decision to postpone fall sports comes less than a week after the Big Ten announced a restructured 2020 football schedule with a 10th conference game added for all schools amid a season that would extend from as early as Sept. 3 through Nov. 21.

“This is an incredibly sad day for our student-athletes, who have worked so hard and been so vigilant fighting against this pandemic to get this close to their season,” Athletics Director Gene Smith said. “My heart aches for them and their families.

“President-elect Johnson and I were totally aligned in our efforts to delay the start of the season rather than postpone. I am so grateful to her for all her efforts in support of our student-athletes and a traditional fall season.

“As an institution and as an athletic department, we have a responsibility first and foremost to care for the health, safety and wellness of our students and staff, and I believe we have done that successfully.”

Specifics and details with regard to what workout and training regimens will consist of this fall for the student-athletes involved with these sports are being determined. Resources currently in place that benefit these student-athletes at Ohio State will remain.

• All of those student-athletes on scholarship will remain on scholarship.
• COVID-19 testing by the Department of Athletics and quarantine/isolation protocols will continue for these student-athletes.
• Access to team facilities and locker rooms, and sports performance, medical/training and nutrition areas will be available under the current health and safety protocols that are in place.
• Tutoring, scheduling and additional services provided through the Student-Athlete Support Services Office are ongoing.
• Comprehensive mental health services will continue for all student-athletes through the athletic department’s staff at its Sport Psychology and Wellness Services department. 

Drake revealed this strategy and shared insights about leading the university through the pandemic during a webinar presented last month by the Leadership Initiative at Fisher College of Business.

Drake has been a leader in higher education for nearly four decades, serving as chancellor of the University of California, Irvine, for nine years prior to his summer 2014 arrival at Ohio State. He is chair of the NCAA Board of Governors and past chair of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, the Association of Academic Health Centers and the Association of American Universities.

Below are excerpts from Drake’s conversation with Timothy Judge, executive director of the Leadership Initiative, and his responses to questions submitted by viewers of the webinar titled “Leading in Unprecedented Times with Ohio State President Michael V. Drake.”

As the nation watched the COVID-19 pandemic sweep out of China and unfold around the world over the winter, and then to the west coast, Drake said he knew it was time to act in early March.

“It became clear to me this was a ‘when’ rather than an ‘if.’ And the steps that we were going to need to take would be moving classes to online, and ultimately moving students off campus, and finally we needed to restrict staff from coming to work. My view was we could close the barn door after the horse had gotten out or before, and I thought it was a better thing to do that before.

“We had a meeting on Sunday, March 8. I pulled together a cabinet meeting, heard what everyone was thinking and then I did some thinking and talking with colleagues overnight and then called a meeting on Monday morning. By noon Monday we knew it was clear what we had to do, and, what does it even mean – we’re going to go to online?

“I was feeling we were in a race and every day made a real difference. I knew we were out front. ... A couple of places had done this before but they had cases on campus and we were trying to do this prior to having a case on campus or in our community. And the concept is we had to do this as quickly as we could.”

Ohio State stayed ahead of the curve, moving against the pandemic long before any other Big Ten schools reacted. In his role as chair of the NCAA Board of Governors, he said there also was little doubt the pandemic would affect basketball tournaments.

“This was tournament week for the Big Ten and March Madness was about to start. March Madness for the NCAA is like ‘The Nutcracker’ for ballet companies. That’s where the funding comes from for your organization for the year. It’s unthinkable not to have the tournament.

“In my conversations with the president of the NCAA and select board members, and then the board, we made the decision first on Wednesday, March 11, that we’d limit this to only coaches and teams, play with no spectators – and we were thinking about that overnight. Then we thought, actually, is that going to be enough? And the answer was no. We have to do the unthinkable, which was cancel the tournament.

“We could see what was going to happen and the answer was, what can we do to make sure we’ve done all we can to mitigate it.”

Were these the right decisions? Drake says leaders routinely have to make difficult decisions without all the information.

“I will say that … given the stakes, my goal was to overreact slightly rather than under-react at all. From the time we made the decision, it’s been forward. We haven’t looked back.”

Drake said the university is expecting students back in the fall, with modifications.

“I believe that the most important message for our students to incorporate in the fall is that their individual behavior affects the ability of the university to continue with business ‘as close to usual.’ If we have students living in our residence halls, their behavior might impact how the virus spreads, but more than that, their behaviors affect whether we can have students in the residence halls. If they behave in a way that allows this virus to gain a foothold and spread, then we can’t have students in the residence halls and this whole thing has to stop.”

The full web interview is online at https://www.facebook.com/FisherLeads/videos/927033194386620/