September | 2012 | From Woody's Couch

Month: September 2012 (page 1 of 3)

Early 20th century art – on football programs?

September 28, 2012 / drobik.5@osu.edu / Comments Off

Thurber’s cover art for the 1936 football program

If you’ve ever looked at old OSU football program covers, you’ll notice how arty they were. That’s because they were drawn by actual artists, including two OSU alums who went onto to successful careers using those artistic skills.

James Thurber was one of them, and the one football program cover he drew was actually done after he’d become a well-known author and illustrator. The football program was issued in conjunction with the Nov. 21, 1936, game against Michigan.

At the time of this football program’s debut, James Thurber was associate editor of The New Yorker, and a prominent author, having published two books, “Is Sex Necessary?” and “My Life and Hard Times.” Thurber also was well-known for his illustrations, although they generally received more attention for their humor than their artistic merit.

Thurber was born in Columbus and attended OSU, but withdrew in 1918 before completing his coursework shortly before the onset of World War I. With the outbreak of the war, he became a code clerk for the American Embassy in Paris. In 1926 he relocated to New York to work for the Evening Post, and the following year left to pursue his position at The New Yorker.

Caniff’s cover from 1927

Meanwhile, Milton Caniff has quite a few football program covers that bear his name from his student years at OSU in the late 1920s. During that time he also served as art director of the Makio and the Sundial, an OSU student humor magazine. He graduated in 1930 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He later went on to draw “Terry and the Pirates” and later “Steve Canyon,” probably his most famous comic strip. That strip ran for more than 40 years.

Both alumni received honorary degrees from the University.

Want to see how arty those football programs really were? Go here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ohio-state-university-archives/sets/

For the record: Former Buckeyes whose achievements on the field still stand

September 21, 2012 / drobik.5@osu.edu / Comments Off

Still celebrating Braxton Miller’s game winning 72-yard touchdown pass to Devin Smith in last week’s victory over California? We all are. But that amazing feat prompted us to remember some of the Buckeyes’ all-time record leaders:

Let’s start with passing: The longest passing play in Buckeye history happened 33 years ago tomorrow, on September 22, 1979, when Art Schlichter threw to Calvin Murray for 86 yards. Calvin Murray also holds the record for longest pass reception for this play, which helped lead to a 45-29 win over Washington State University. Art Schlichter also holds the record for the most career passing yards at 7,547 from 1978-1981.

Art Schlichter prepares to make a pass (Calvin Murray is on his right), September 22, 1979.

Gene Fekete, 1942

As for rushing, the longest rushing play in Ohio State history happened on November 7, 1942, when the Buckeyes played the Pittsburgh Panthers. Gene Fekete ran for 89 yards against the Pitt defense, but failed to score a touchdown. The Buckeyes still won the game, 59-19.

Archie Griffin still tops Ohio State’s record books for his career rushing total of 5,589 yards.

Brian Hartline has the record for the longest punt return – 90 yards – in a 48-3 win over Kent State University on October 13, 2007.

Let’s switch to kicking: The record for the longest kickoff return was set October 9, 1943, by Dean Sensanbaugher (not to be confused with Dane Sanzenbacher), running for 103 yards. The Buckeyes lost the game to the Great Lakes Naval Training Center with a score of 6-13. Tom Skladany set the record for the longest field goal at 59 yards on November 8, 1975, in a 40-3 win over the University of Illinois.

On the defense, Marcus Marek set the record for career total tackles at 572. Of that total, 256 were solo tackles while 316 were assisted. One of our current assistant coaches, Mike Vrabel, holds the record for the most quarterback sacks at 36.

Marcus Marek, 1979

So Buckeye fans, who do you think will join this list of history makers?

What better way to spend Founders Day than Tea with Gee?

September 19, 2012 / haire.14@osu.edu / Comments Off

Our first Founders Day event was a success, thanks to the wonderful folks in Ohio Staters, Inc., who co-sponsored the event with us; the many students, staff and faculty who accepted our open invitation to attend; and of course, President Gee, who shared some time with us to celebrate.

As you know, Founders Day commemorates the first day of classes at Ohio State in 1873, and as President Gee said, the mission that the then-fledgling university embraced at that time is the same today: providing a quality education for the next generation to tackle the challenges of the future. As it was then and is now, Gee said, we are up to the task. So, we appreciate everyone’s participation, and until next year, please enjoy the photos from 2012: