New growth

Image 2 of 4

(Image: Ohio State vs. Michigan at Ohio Field, 1912) Originally built with a capacity of 500, Ohio Field’s open-air bleachers underwent several expansions during Ohio State Football’s climb to prominence in the Ohio Conference, eventually holding 14,000 seats. Even these additions could not accommodate the ever-increasing demand. Between 1898 and 1918, OSU’s enrollment tripled and was projected to exceed 10,000 by the early 1920s. It wasn’t just an increasing number of students who were clamoring for seats, though. Alumni, faculty, staff members and Columbus residents all wanted to see the games. Within two decades, OSU football had outgrown Ohio Field