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OSU Football Program Art

Visit the University of Michigan's Art of Football Exhibit

Program from November 9, 1901
To enthusiastic fans, football program covers are often seen as simply the holder for the precious information inside.  However, throughout the years, artists have produced program covers that celebrate the game, the team, the fans, and the university such as this one from November 9, 1901.

 
Program from November 19, 1938Frederick Machetanz (1908-2002) is known for portraying Alaskan life and wildlife through his paintings, lithographs, illustrations, and writings.  However, Machetanz began his career as a student at The Ohio State University.  He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1930 and a Masters of Fine Arts degree in 1935.  To help finance his education, Machetanz drew football program covers and painted portraits of fraternity brothers and other campus friends.  After graduation, Machetanz moved to Alaska, but continued to contribute to OSU football programs until 1939.  Program from November 21, 1936James Thurber (1895-1961) is best known as a humor writer and artist.  He is also the artist of this football program from 1936.  Thurber attended The Ohio State University from 1914 until 1917 when he withdrew.  While on campus, Thurber was the news editor of the Lantern, the student newspaper, as well as the editor-in-chief of the Sundial, the student humor magazine.  He was also involved in various student organizations such as Sphinx, the sophomore honorary society, and Strollers, a dramatic society.  At the time he drew the art for this November 21, 1936 cover, Thurber was the associate editor of The New Yorker.  This is the only program that he drew.

Program Art by Other Artists

 
Program from October 22, 1910
October 22, 1910		 Program from October 26, 1918
October 26, 1918		 Program from October 21, 1922
October 21, 1922
Program from November 13, 1924
November 13, 1924		 Program from November 14, 1925
 November 14, 1925		 Program from October 22, 1927
October 22, 1927
Program from October 18, 1930
October 18, 1930		 Program from November 17, 1934
November 17, 1934		 Program from November 23, 1968
November 23, 1968

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