OSU Football Program Art
(text only version)

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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.

 
Frederick 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.  James 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.

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