O-H-I-O

“The Buckeyes were more than just a local team. They were the prism through which Columbus viewed itself” (17).

The Book

War as They Knew It: Woody Hayes, Bo Schembechler, and America in a Time of Unrest is an interesting look at two football coaches, a historic football rivalry, and the changing of the culture in the 1960s and 1970s. Author Michael Rosenberg weaves together the stories, styles, and differences of The Ohio State University and University of Michigan football coaches.

Woody Hayes coached The Ohio State University for twenty-seven years. In those years he invested in the education of his players, saw the culture go through drastic changes, and tried to promote the connection between football plays and military strategies. Bo Schembechler coached the University of Michigan for twenty years. He came to Ann Arbor to find a struggling football program and a campus heavily invested in the anti-war movement. These two coaches elevated the rivalry between the two schools and Rosenberg details each of their meetings in the last game of the season.

War as They Knew It is a great book for any football fan, but especially Buckeye and Wolverine fans. As a life-long Buckeye fan, I knew the names of Woody Hayes and Bo Schembechler, but Rosenberg’s accounts helped me understand the men behind the legends. One aspect of the book, that I found particularly interesting, was the inclusion of Ralph Waldo Emerson quotes. Woody Hayes admired Emerson and Rosenberg found Emerson quotes that related to decisions or beliefs of Woody Hayes.

The Place

The Ohio State University is not your typical tourist destination because it is a school; however it is a place with history and tradition. Although most tours will be geared towards prospective students, The Ohio State University does provide a self-guided walking tour. The campus is a great place to walk around, even if it is not a football Saturday.

I have had the opportunity to attend two football games in “the Horseshoe” stadium. The stadium is referred to as “the Horseshoe” because the original structure had an opening on one end. The open end was filled in to accommodate more seating, but the name remains.

Attending a Buckeyes football games is truly an incredibly experience. The Ohio State University Marching Band performs in St. John’s Arena, the old basketball arena, prior to the game. The main streets throughout campus are closed to car traffic and you mingle with students and Buckeyes fans. Outside the stadium a visitor can smell the various tailgate foods and visit stores full of Buckeye apparel, gadgets, and souvenirs. Inside the stadium the game is interspersed with roars from the crowd and the excitement of each first down. Of course, every college football team has a similar atmosphere at their home games. The atmosphere is most significant for the fans of each team.