http://www.storiesoftheshoe.com/mt/entries/ en Copyright 2012 Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:58:10 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss The Right Stuff. Back then we marshaled our collective resources of industry and government to go to the moon. Today we, and our leaders, instead argue with each other about how much we can't do. Then we thought big, and look the good that came out of the science and technology unleashed by the space program. Today, such a hero would cash in on personal wealth. Then, all John Glenn did was go to Congress and quietly and modestly serve his country, and fellow man, year after year. Today, for to many of us, the enemy is anyone that thinks different than we. Then, maybe we were lucky, for we had a common enemy, the Soviet Union, instead of each other. I have a more recent memory of John Glenn too, this one forty-eight years after the Marine fighter pilot showed us what he was made of. It was a Saturday morning a couple of years ago, and I had just come across the footbridge over the Olentangy river, headed to the Horseshoe. I was running later than I like and caught in the pregame crush of people going down the ramp from Lincoln Tower. It was one of those times when you are jammed in a sea of people, being swept along in the bouncing and jostling beyond your control. A wave came in from my left, quickly and unexpectedly, and knocked me into the person on my right. I turned to apologize, and who do I see it was that I bumped, but John Glenn, Mr. Right Stuff himself, in flesh and in person. Just as quickly, the crowd swept us along again. He was gone before we had the chance to meet or greet. If we had, I hope I would have had the good sense simply to extend my hand and say, "Thank you for your service." Godspeed Hero and Buckeye, John Glenn ]]> http://www.storiesoftheshoe.com/mt/entries/2012/02/the_last_great_american_hero.html http://www.storiesoftheshoe.com/mt/entries/2012/02/the_last_great_american_hero.html Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:58:10 -0500 "Finished reading the book last night, absolutely loved it, lots of great stuff in there, give me a couple days and I'll type up my notes." Now I must admit, I don't have the scratched up version back yet, but coming from someone who covers the Buckeyes for a living, and who is someone I admire, well, could we ask for a better sendoff? We told all our readers to "give us your best shot," and I am sure Mark will have much constructive criticism. But for now. After more than two years. After transcribing, and typing, and rearranging, and revising, maybe a million words. Well, think I'll savor these three - "Absolutely loved it." ]]> http://www.storiesoftheshoe.com/mt/entries/2012/02/twelve_percent_reporting.html http://www.storiesoftheshoe.com/mt/entries/2012/02/twelve_percent_reporting.html Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:47:17 -0500 a nice recruiting column today remembering the 1968 National Champions, and what Bob called, "the best football class Ohio State ever had." Of course that is the group Woody recruited in 1967, which went on to be nicknamed the Super Sophs, and win the National Championship. What a stroll down memory lane. Bob was right about that group, and what a treat it was to remember the good old days. In the fall of 1968, I was a senior in high school. My cousin had gotten me a ticket to my very first Ohio State football game, which so happened to be the day high ranked Purdue came into Ohio Stadium and the Buckeyes sent Mark Phipps and I think Leroy Keys home with a steamless boiler and their tail between their legs. It was the start of a three-year dynasty and of course a run to a National Championship. I can remember my first major league baseball game at Crosley field, and if I close my eyes, I can still see my first ever look at the 'Shoe as I walked up to the Rotunda that day. The next fall was special, when I enrolled as a freshman at Ohio State. I would watch that team complete a three-year run of 27-2. What made it even cooler was that one of my high school teammates, Doug Adams, was a starting linebacker with that group. Doug would go on to be a second round pick in the NFL. Doug was two years ahead of me at our high school, and for 43 years, I have told people the story of how "I made him what he was by serving as cannon fodder for him on the scout team." Actually, I should come clean. The truth is, he was so big, and I was so puny, that they wouldn't even let him hit me back then! But hey, what's a good story if you can't embellish it a bit. Where did the time go? Those were the days my friend, we though they'd never end, We'd sing and dance forever and a day... ]]> http://www.storiesoftheshoe.com/mt/entries/2012/02/the_good_ole_days.html http://www.storiesoftheshoe.com/mt/entries/2012/02/the_good_ole_days.html Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:51:34 -0500 Myles Traveled is doing some traveling across the country itself. Boxes went off to Kansas City, Chicago, and St. Louis. In Ohio, the destinations included Lima, Mount Vernon, Columbus, and Lewis Center. Within our readers group, we have represented a TV Sports Anchor, a former editor of a major metropolitan newspaper, and a former Dean of the School of Library Service at Columbia University. There is also a Corporate VP, an author of Black History, a teacher (also a published author), a former University Athletic Administrator, a communications specialist, and for good measure a couple of ordinary fans. Last, but certainly not least, there is the Heisman Trophy winner. So now we wait. Once we hear, we will keep what they like (hopefully everything), and fix anything they don't (hopefully not a lot). After, that it will be off to shop for a publisher. Anyone know a good one! I'm listening. ]]> http://www.storiesoftheshoe.com/mt/entries/2012/01/scared_to_death.html http://www.storiesoftheshoe.com/mt/entries/2012/01/scared_to_death.html Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:10:28 -0500 Two plus weeks ago I attended the post game press conference of Joe Tiller, after his final game in Ohio Stadium. I meant to comment at the time that a small group of OSU fans in section 29 showed a lot of class. After warm-ups, Joe walked off the field alone to the locker room. When he got near the south ramp at section 29, one person started applauding. Before long, the whole section was giving him a nice spontaneous ovation. Joe looked briefly that way and nodded slightly, as much recognition as a head coach trying to get "into the game time zone" could give the opposing fans right before the game. It was a nice scene. Later in his post-game press conference, despite the sting of defeat, he was gracious and patient with the media. He dispensed his wisdom and common sense to a room less than one-forth full, a final Ohio Stadium sendoff for one of the good guys in the game. Saturday night another Joe came to Ohio Stadium. This Joe however, even though a legend, couldn't walk off the field...because of his health he was in the press box. I wonder, would he have gotten the same ovation? I like to think he would. It was also a different scene when a victorious Joe Paterno hobbled with a cane into the visitors post game pressroom. TV lights flooded the standing room only audience. Everyone pressed together was there for the same reason I was...to see an icon. The first question to Coach Paterno was about his reaction. I'm happy for the kids," he replied. I marveled at the wit and vigor that belied his 80 plus years. I have done my profession for 36 years now. It seems like a long time. If I were to do it another 25, well then I would reach JoePa's age. Think of that. In an era when the Nick Sabin's of coaching are hired guns to the highest bidder, Joe is still where he settled. He has given millions to the University and probably unknown other charities. At some point, a question was asked about his health. He shrugged and indicated he "might sit down with the doctor" during the upcoming bye week. Until now, he has been too busy. Some have written that the game has passed him by, that he should step down, that he has lost control. All I know is that Saturday night, there he was, in the flesh, in charge, and in victory. I will be rooting for the Nittany Lions to run the table and win it all. You should too. It will be good for the Big Ten. It will be good for the Buckeyes and could send us to the Rose Bowl. And, it would most certainly be a fitting sendoff for a genuinely good guy we all should admire. I remember writing those words in 2008, a few days after I purposely went to that press conference because I thought it would be my last chance to see the legend in person, to see Joe in Ohio Stadium. I was wrong. Joe returned to the Horseshoe in 2010. And right up until a few days before this year's game, it looked like he would be back again in 2011. Of course, who doesn't know now that that changed, and why. And with the luxury of hindsight, who doesn't wonder, or believe, that he stayed too long. But as they lay Coach Paterno to rest tomorrow, as he lies in state this evening in the largest interfaith chapel on any college campus, a chapel he helped build, now is not the time to go there again. It's not the time for me, or you, to pass judgment on what history and the prism of time will properly better sort out. It's the end of an era. Whatever future historians write, it will include one thing. You will never see another like him, someone who did so much good, for so long, at that level of college football. That's what I will remember tonight, that very old man with a cane, who when asked how he felt about a big upset win, replied simply and sincerely, "Well, I'm happy for the kids." ]]> http://www.storiesoftheshoe.com/mt/entries/2012/01/a_good_joe_revisited.html http://www.storiesoftheshoe.com/mt/entries/2012/01/a_good_joe_revisited.html Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:13:53 -0500 Gee, I didn't know how many people actually read me until I had three people in one day tell they had been to this site and it had been quiet lately. Sorry about that. Well the holidays came, and then our new granddaughter, and after that well I got sick on New Years day. No, not from the Buckeyes, and that bowl game fiasco. At least that didn't ruin a perfectly good day, because I was already sick when they kicked off. Nope, I got the creepy, coughy, hackey, sore throat crud of a cold that has been going around. Everyone says it hangs on forever and they all are right. It will be four weeks tomorrow, and just in the last few days I am starting to shake it. I spent the better part of a week and a half without leaving the house. Of course, all that time at home did allow me do a complete rewrite of the 483 pages of Myles Traveled, and reach the big milestone I will describe in a future post. http://www.storiesoftheshoe.com/mt/entries/2012/01/been_a_while.html http://www.storiesoftheshoe.com/mt/entries/2012/01/been_a_while.html Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:08:10 -0500 Just Imagine Where She'll Go... Will she dance or play soccer, or walk on the moon? What wishes will she make on a star? So many questions, but one thing is certain - She'll have your love every step of the journey. Congratulations! That sums up this special day and this season of Dreams and Joy and Hope and Faith. Dreams for Mia, Joy for our family, Hope and Faith for our world today. What a special blessing to celebrate it in this way! Merry Christmas and All the Best to you and yours! ]]> http://www.storiesoftheshoe.com/mt/entries/2011/12/mia_jennifer.html http://www.storiesoftheshoe.com/mt/entries/2011/12/mia_jennifer.html Fri, 23 Dec 2011 06:12:17 -0500 It would have been funny if it weren't so sad. Right up front, I will own up that serious mistakes were made, and we need to pay whatever price is fair and appropriate, and also that the opinions herein are my own and not the institutions. But as I read the headlines around the country screaming at Ohio State yesterday, and then the NCAA report and sanctions announced, I just shook my head. Especially when the NCAA went back some 20 years and brought in some food provided by a booster to substantiate part of the failure to monitor charge! Like I said, I had to laugh, right before I cried, on that food crap. The reason? Let me share a couple of true experiences I have had and people I have met in the course of research for this book. These illustrate how ironic so much of this whole sordid affair has been, and you surely won't ever read this in the national media. The first example is a story of a farmer and good friend right down the road from me - as honest and straight arrow as they come. The gentleman grows sweet corn - hundreds of acres of it - and it happens to taste, I think, the best in Ohio. He has roadside stands around Northwest Ohio, including several in Columbus, to which he hauls corn fresh every morning when in season. If you have ever grown sweet corn, you know it is feast and famine. Even though you stagger plantings, use varieties of different maturity, now matter how much you try to get a consistent supply all season, well Mother Nature is going to throw you a curve. So every farmer in this gentleman's business has times that he is short corn, and times he has way more coming on than he can sell. A couple of years ago, during one of these gluttons, this guy told me he got the idea, "Hey, why don't I donate some to the OSU team. I'm going to throw it away otherwise, I am hauling to Columbus anyway, and in the midst of a grueling August camp, surely the guys would enjoy some roasting ears on the training table." The guy didn't want access. He didn't want tickets. He didn't want to hob knob. He was way too busy that time of year to even meet anybody! He isn't an alumnus. Rather you would call a casual fan. I bet he hasn't been to more than a handful of OSU football games in his life. He was just a caring guy who wanted to drop off some corn that would otherwise go to waste. So he contacted the University with his offer, and they played by the rules. Bottom line. Once he found out how much unbelievable paperwork it would take - all the things he would have to attest to, all forms, all the little rules like he couldn't be there when they ate it for one example (not that he wanted to) - well, he decided it was way more hassle to him than it was worth just to give them this corn. He just gave up on the idea. The second example is an elderly couple I met by chance. Turns out one time several years ago, after a tough loss, they came to the airport (or the Woody Hayes maybe) to welcome the team home. They were the only ones there. "My gosh," they thought, "win or lose these kids need some encouragement. Someone should be here for them." So they started showing up after every game. Soon it was after every practice too. It became their mission to give love and encouragement, just by showing up, and day by day, there was no shortage of that. They didn't want autographs. The didn't want to brag to their buddies. They didn't want anything but to provide love and encouragement to our young Buckeyes. But when practices were closed, out went this couple too. They were allowed to be outside the stadium after games, outside the Woody after practices, but they also went over with me all the things the university made sure they couldn't do - couldn't even give a kid a homemade cookie was one example. The list was long and they followed it to a T. When you got down to it the only thing they could give was love. One late autumn afternoon after a home game, as the shadows lengthened, I watched the players emerge one by one from the 'Shoe. More of them than not sought out this self-proclaimed Buckeye Grandma and Grandpa. All they got in return was a hug, a kiss, a word of encouragement, or maybe a question - how's your grades, how's your girlfriend, how's your mother? To some of these kids far from home though, it was evident that someone caring and giving a hug was worth a million dollars to them. I hope no one tells the NCAA, because they will probably nail this old couple for unfairly giving love to a student athlete! As I read some of the crap printed yesterday, and listened to some of the same broadcast, I pondered how wide the gap this past year between the hyperbole of what the media reported or implied went on, and what I personally saw from a University that paid enough attention to detail to monitor sweet corn and a few chocolate chip cookies! I pondered how hard a job the compliance people have, and how hypocritical the NCAA rules are. I thought about how hard the Ohio State I see works to get things right, compared to the claims people who have never even been here make about them. It is clear what's done is done, that the university is moving on, Coach Meyer is moving on, the NCAA is moving on. So I am too. I hope this is the last you will hear on this from my pen. As I go, my faith in my alma mater is unshaken, my respect for this university diminished not one bit. As for the NCAA, the national media, even some of our locals, well that is a quite different story and I never again will see them in as bright a shining light. We deserved a lot. But in the words of Gene Smith, "We didn't deserve this." And when those sappy commercials come on during March Madness to make the NCAA look all altruistic, I'll spit and say "Bah Humbug." One of Coach Hayes assistants told me Woody once said, "It they aren't shooting at you, you aren't on top." Well said WW. That's the real reason we got the hammer. Go Bucks! http://www.storiesoftheshoe.com/mt/entries/2011/12/shakin_my_head_and_movin_on.html http://www.storiesoftheshoe.com/mt/entries/2011/12/shakin_my_head_and_movin_on.html Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:20:47 -0500 local bookstore! And here's why... I came across an interesting piece this morning in the NY Times titled Amazon's Jungle Logic. The well written article, in quoting many of today's biggest and best authors, examines what many think is an unfair tactic by the internet giant in today's cutthroat publishing industry, and the dangers of monopolization of the book business. In reading the article, the story reminded me of the history long debate over the Standard Oil Monopoly and the life of J D. Rockefeller - great robber baron or great philanthropist? It also pointed our what I think is a pretty galling marketing strategy by the internet giant. In any case, the article at the link above is a good read. And it illustrates why this Christmas Season, you should visit your local bookstore for your gift purchases. Browse the aisles with all the choices. See something you might never have thought of buying. Pickup a title and read a bit, to see if you like it. Feel the weight of the author's work. Put it down if you don't like it. Try doing that with Amazon. You can spend your money with someone that supports your local economy, pays taxes that build your local schools and roads, employees friends of friends or neighbors of neighbors. Or as the article says, you can send your money to some CEO on a Caribbean beach. The choice is yours.]]> http://www.storiesoftheshoe.com/mt/entries/2011/12/modern_day_robber_baron_or_phi.html http://www.storiesoftheshoe.com/mt/entries/2011/12/modern_day_robber_baron_or_phi.html Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:01:04 -0500 Three and Out: Rich Rodriguez and the Michigan Wolverines in the Crucible of College Football. John was granted unprecedented access to the Michigan program in the Rodriquez years and the book is described as "lifting the lid on the best and worst of college football." John is currently doing book signings all across the country, it's doing that well. If you want to write the best you need to read the best, and learn from the best. After all, the genre of Myles Traveled is sports history, so like a root canal, reading it seems like something I need to do, even if the jacket colors are that damn maize and blue! I clicked on the link and a copy is on its way to me. At first the thought of shelling out seventeen bucks for a Michigan book made me cringe. But then I thought, if nothing else, heck, I can relive the good ole days! Go Bucks! ]]> http://www.storiesoftheshoe.com/mt/entries/2011/12/feeding_the_enemy.html http://www.storiesoftheshoe.com/mt/entries/2011/12/feeding_the_enemy.html Tue, 06 Dec 2011 22:55:39 -0500 "Take that once every 8 years!" Actually I submitted two, and I think they passed on my best: "Once every 8 years makes our britches awfully big!" To check out the drawing and other entries go to: Your Mike]]> http://www.storiesoftheshoe.com/mt/entries/2011/12/getting_good_at_this_1.html http://www.storiesoftheshoe.com/mt/entries/2011/12/getting_good_at_this_1.html Fri, 02 Dec 2011 20:20:41 -0500 Mike Adams: Triumph and Tragedy is an interesting back story that you sure won't ever read in ESPN or SI. Many Buckeye Fans and the media have been quick to judge the last six months, but Todd's column reminds, me at least, that you never really know until you have walked the proverbial mile in the other persons football cleats. Let's hope that the boys come through tomorrow and win one for Luke, one for themselves, and one for that "other person" they will be playing for - and I sure ain't talking about the Gipper! Go Bucks!]]> http://www.storiesoftheshoe.com/mt/entries/2011/11/theyre_playing_for_two.html http://www.storiesoftheshoe.com/mt/entries/2011/11/theyre_playing_for_two.html Fri, 25 Nov 2011 23:30:00 -0500 Any I the only one thoroughly and completely annoyed at the Dispatch Media Monster's Ohio State coverage this week? I call it the newspaper and WBNS TV's "wall to wall give the game to Michigan strategy." Their coverage of rumors, anonymous sources, and suppositions reminds me of a bunch of teeny bopper girls gossiping about who is taking who to the 5th grade dance. We have the biggest game of the year coming up, and can you imagine the coaches and players trying to focus on beating Michigan in the face of ALL THIS DISTRACTION. There will be plenty of time for all of this next week, so frankly right now I find it disgusting. I have some good friends covering the sports beat at that paper. I am sure they will tell me they are just doing their job. Well, sorry guys, in this case, your job sucks! Go Bucks. Beat the Blue, if anyone still is focused on the game, that is. http://www.storiesoftheshoe.com/mt/entries/2011/11/is_it_just_me.html http://www.storiesoftheshoe.com/mt/entries/2011/11/is_it_just_me.html Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:23:47 -0500 "I know that there's a game at noon on Saturday. My ass will be there," That ended the questions on the coaching situation and put the focus back on the game, where it should have been to start with. With all the dirty water that is flowing under the bridge right now, you have to admire the way Luke stood in there and took all that crap, and never gave one little inch on his singular of purpose focus on winning this game. If you didn't get to see the short press conference, the O-Zone has the video of it. John Porentas also has a nice column titled Fickell Gets It - Michigan Game Is The Yardstick It's a good read, and if you're feeling a little nervous about Saturday, well maybe it's the pick me up you need. Check it out. Go Bucks!]]> http://www.storiesoftheshoe.com/mt/entries/2011/11/my_ass_will_be_there.html http://www.storiesoftheshoe.com/mt/entries/2011/11/my_ass_will_be_there.html Wed, 23 Nov 2011 17:50:40 -0500 Well we saw a great goal line stand right in front of us last Saturday. I mean what was it, something like 7 tries inside the 10 yard line, and 3 tries inside the one. I mean 3 stops in a row at the half yard line. We had all the momentum in the world after that, and had busted it out to the 50 yard line, when the fumble came. Had we not fumbled, I am convinced we would have taken it down and scored to win that game. Instead - well all the arm chair quarterbacks are having a field day. I know what the odds makers are saying for Saturday, but I tell you what, I saw no quit in our kids on that goal line stand. I'm not yet ready to concede that we are going to roll over and play dead up there in that hole in the ground stadium! Go Bucks! http://www.storiesoftheshoe.com/mt/entries/2011/11/wasnt_to_be.html http://www.storiesoftheshoe.com/mt/entries/2011/11/wasnt_to_be.html Tue, 22 Nov 2011 19:52:25 -0500