Nicknamed “The Horseshoe,” Ohio Stadium has been home to the Ohio State Buckeyes for 100 years as of this fall. Ohio State invited some prominent former players and coaches to a banquet to celebrate the occasion, and former Buckeye head coach Jim Tressel stole the show.
Tressel coached the Buckeyes from 2001 to 2010, leading Ohio State to one national title, three title game appearances, and six Big Ten championships during his nine-year stint. One of the most successful coaches in the program’s storied history, Tressel got a chance to give a speech to celebrate Ohio Stadium’s 100th birthday, and he delivered a masterpiece.
“Everyone has extraordinary memories about what this place means to them,” Tressel said of Ohio Stadium.
The legendary Ohio State coach told several stories about his experience in Ohio Stadium over the years, from his first game against the Akron Zips in 2001 to the iconic interception that sent the Buckeyes to the 2002 national championship game against the Miami Hurricanes.
“Every single person that’s had the blessing to wear that helmet, wear that headset, or be in this stadium has got memories,” Tressel said. “The only thing constant is change, and the landscape has changed. And we’ve got to make sure that coach (Ryan) Day and his staff, and his students, and (Ohio State athletic director) Gene (Smith), and all the sports and everyone has every opportunity to get what they deserve and to see the appreciation all of us have for the memories they create for us.”
Ohio State will look to create more memories in the historic stadium this year, opening the season at home against Notre Dame on Sept. 3.
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