Ohio Bobcats
Encyclopedia
Ohio University
features 16 varsity sports teams called the Bobcats. The Bobcats compete in the Mid-American Conference
(MAC) in all sports. The Bobcats were a charter member of the Mid-American Conference in 1946 and are the only team still in the conference from the original 5 team league that included Butler University
, University of Cincinnati
, Wayne State University
, and Case Western Reserve University
. Ohio's team colors are green
and white
. All Bobcats sports compete at the highest possible level in the NCAA, with Ohio football
competing in the Division 1 Bowl Subdivision and other sports competing in Division 1.
on April 7, 2008. Before accepting the job at Ohio, Schaus served in the same capacity at Wichita State University
for 9 years. Schaus replaced Kirby Hocutt
, who took the Director of Athletics position at the University of Miami
. The Ohio Athletics Department features 4 associate athletics directors: Amy Dean (Senior Associate AD/Administration and Sport Programs), Dan Hauser (Associate AD/External Operations), and Tricia Turley (Associate AD/Compliance and Student Services), and Jim Harris (Associate AD/Development).
46-9. Since that day, Ohio has posted a .569 winning percentage over their 100 year history and a .566 winning percentage in their 61 years in the Mid-American Conference. The Bobcats have won 5 Mid-American Conference tournament titles in 1983, 1985, 1994, 2005 and 2010. as well as 9 MAC regular season titles in 1960, 1961, 1964, 1965, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1985, and 1994. Prior to joining the MAC, the 'Cats won an Ohio Athletic Conference title in 1921 and three Buckeye Athletic Association championships in 1931, 1933, and 1937. In addition, Ohio has played in the NCAA
Tournament
12 times (second most in the MAC), appearing in 1960, 1961, 1964, 1965, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1983, 1985, 1994, 2005, and 2010. The Bobcats have been selected for the National Invitation Tournament
4 times in 1941 (runner-up), 1969, 1986, and 1995, while also appearing in the College Basketball Invitational
in 2008. As a result of the storied tradition of Ohio Bobcats basketball, the program was recently ranked 86th in Street & Smith's 100 Greatest Basketball Programs of All Time, published in 2005.
Ohio's home basketball games are played at The Convocation Center
. Located on the south end of Ohio University's campus in Athens, Ohio
, the venue has a seating capacity of 13,080. The arena was completed in 1968 and is the largest basketball facility in the Mid-American Conference and one of the largest in the nation. The "O-Zone" student cheering section helps to make the "Convo" one of the most hostile environments in the nation, and they are widely regarded as the best student section in the MAC. Thanks in part to this great atmosphere, the Bobcats have won over 75% of their home games since the opening of The Convo. Prior to playing at the Convo, Ohio basketball games were first played in Bentley Hall and then at Grover Center, two buildings that today exist as office space and classrooms for the university. The Convocation Center brought in its largest crowd on February 28, 1970, when 14,102 fans were in attendance to watch the Bobcats men's basketball team defeat the Bowling Green
Falcons 77-76. Ohio is consistently one of the attendance leaders in the Mid-American Conference and has the ability to draw good crowds, win or lose.
Some of Ohio's famous men's basketball coaches include Jim Snyder
, Danny Nee
, and Larry Hunter
. Jim Snyder
led the Bobcats for 26 years (1949–1974) and helped Ohio to 7 NCAA Tournament appearances and one NIT appearance. Snyder's teams compiled a 355-255 record, good for a .581 winning percentage. Former Ohio Coach Danny Nee
led Ohio for 7 years from 1980-1986. Nee helped rebuild the program from several years of losing records, and he helped lead the team to 2 MAC Tournament titles, 2 NCAA Tournament appearances, and one NIT appearance. Following Nee's tenure at Ohio, he took a job as head coach of the Nebraska
Cornhuskers. Today Nee is head coach of the Duquesne University
Dukes
. Larry Hunter
served as head coach of Ohio from 1989–2001, compiling a winning percentage of .580 (204-148). His teams made one NCAA Tournament appearance in 1994, an NIT appearance in 1995, and won the Pre-Season NIT in 1994. Despite his good record as coach of the Bobcats, Hunter was relieved of his duties in 2001 for a lack of postseason success. Today, Hunter is head coach of the Western Carolina University
Catamounts.
Ohio's head coach from 2001 to 2008 was Tim O'Shea
. Coach O'Shea resigned on Monday June 23, 2008, in order to become the head coach of Bryant University in Rhode Island. Coach O'Shea had arrived at Ohio in 2001 after 4 seasons as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Boston College
. He came to Athens on March 29, 2001 and vowed to take the Ohio men's basketball program to what he called the "next level". This next level was realized in 2005 as he led to Bobcats to a 21-11 record, a MAC Tournament Title, and an NCAA Tournament appearance in which 13 seed Ohio nearly upset 4 seed Florida
. O'Shea's 2005-2006 team proved successful as well, posting a 19-11 record with wins over teams such as Rhode Island
and Samford
, and a close loss to Kentucky
. The 2006-2007 team also posted 19 wins, with a final record of 19-13. A 20 win campaign was had in the 2007-2008 season, including notable non-conference wins over Maryland
, St. John's, George Mason
, and Bucknell
. The team was extended an invite to the College Basketball Invitational
, where the Bobcats advanced to the second round.
On June 27, 2008, former Ohio State Buckeyes
associate head coach John Groce
was named the sixteenth head coach in Bobcats history. Groce brings fourteen years of assistant coaching experience to Athens, along with a pair of outright Big Ten regular-season titles, two NCAA Tournament
appearances, a berth in the 2007 NCAA National Championship game and the 2008 NIT
title.
On March 18, 2010, the men's basketball program enjoyed what is arguably its biggest win in its history, recording a 97-83 blowout of the Georgetown Hoyas. The upset marked the first time in NCAA tournament history that a fourteen seed defeated a three seed by double digits.
. Since that day, the Bobcats have posted a 498-516-48 record over their 112 year existence and a 202-243-11 record over their 60 years in the Mid-American Conference
. The Bobcats have won 5 MAC Football championships in 1953, 1960, 1963, 1967, and 1968, and MAC East Division championships in 2006 and 2009. Prior to joining the MAC, the Bobcats won 6 Buckeye Athletic Association championships in 1929, 1930, 1931, 1935, 1936, and 1938. In 1960, the Bobcats were crowned National Small College Champions after compiling a 10-0 record under Coach Bill Hess. The Bobcats have appeared in four bowl games, losing 15-14 to West Texas State
in the 1962 Sun Bowl
, losing 49-42 to Richmond
in the 1968 Tangerine Bowl
, falling 28-7 to Southern Mississippi
in the 2007 GMAC Bowl
, and losing 21-17 to Marshall
in the 2009 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl.
Ohio's home football games are played at Peden Stadium
. Located on the south end of Ohio University's campus in Athens, Ohio
, the venue has a seating capacity
of 24,000. The stadium was built in 1929 and is the oldest college football stadium in the Mid-American Conference and among the oldest in the nation. Many recent renovation and expansion efforts, though, have allowed the stadium to keep pace with the ever-changing landscape of college football stadiums. As such, Peden Stadium, nicknamed "The Wrigley Field
of College Football", is considered among the best college football facilities in the Mid-American Conference and the nation. Peden Stadium brought in its largest crowd on September 9, 2005, when 24,545 fans were in attendance to watch the Bobcats defeat the University of Pittsburgh
Panthers
16-10. Ohio is consistently one of the attendance leaders in the Mid-American Conference and has the ability to draw good crowds, win or lose.
Some of Ohio's famous football coaches include Don Peden
, Bill Hess
, Jim Grobe
, and current head coach Frank Solich
. Don Peden
coached from 1924–1946, compiling a 121-46-11 record, good for a winning percentage of .711 that still stands as the best ever for an Ohio football coach. Peden's teams won a total of 6 Buckeye Athletic Association Championships in his tenure and left a lasting mark on the program when the Bobcat's football stadium, Peden Stadium, was named in his honor following his retirement. Bill Hess
's time at Ohio was equally impressive. Coaching from 1958–1977, Hess had a 108-91-4 record, giving him a winning percentage of .542 that is second only to Peden on Ohio's all-time list. Coach Hess's teams won 4 MAC Championships, participated in 2 bowl games, and won a National Small College Championship in 1960 after having an undefeated season. Former Ohio Coach Jim Grobe
took the helm of the Bobcats program in 1995, inheriting a squad that winless in the previous season. Grobe quickly turned the program around, as his teams went 8-3 in 1997 and 7-4 in 2000. Coach Grobe had a 33-33-1 record in his time at Ohio, good for a .500 winning percentage that is fourth among all Ohio football coaches. After the 2000 football season, Grobe took a job as head football coach at Wake Forest University
.
Frank Solich
was named the 28th football coach of the Bobcats on December 16, 2004. Prior to coming to Ohio, Solich spent many years as a part of the University of Nebraska football program, as a player, an assistant coach, and later as the head coach. Solich was head coach of the Cornhuskers from 1998-2003 where he directed Nebraska to 6 consecutive bowl games, including the national championship game in the 2002 Rose Bowl
. Solich's impact on the Ohio program was immediate, as plans were put in place to renovate Ohio's football facilities and increase financial support for the football program. Also, Ohio was selected to appear on national television 6 times for the 2005 football season, a record for the program. Frank Solich's first home game as coach of Ohio was a memorable one, as Peden Stadium brought in its largest ever crowd to watch the Bobcats defeat the University of Pittsburgh
Panthers
16-10.
Under the guidance of Frank Solich, the Ohio football program has enjoyed a return to national prominence. On November 16, 2006 the Bobcats secured their first-ever Mid-American Conference
East Division title and their first football championship of any sort since 1968 with a victory over the University of Akron
Zips
. They then advanced to the MAC Championship Game in Detroit, Michigan
, where they were defeated by Central Michigan 31-10. On January 7, 2007, the Bobcats acted as the MAC representative in the GMAC Bowl
in Mobile, Alabama
, losing 28-7 to The University of Southern Mississippi
Golden Eagles
in a game nationally televised on ESPN
. The Bobcats followed up the impressive 2006 campaign with a 6-6 record in 2007, and was one of 6 bowl eligible
programs that was not invited to post-season play. The Bobcats returned to the post-season in 2009, posting a 9-3 regular season record and another MAC East Championship. Ohio played in the MAC Championship Game, where they fell to Central Michigan 20-10. On December 26, 2009, the Bobcats fell 21-17 to the Marshall University
Thundering Herd
in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl.
, Boston
Shamrocks
William Snyder—Guard—1934-1935 Pittsburgh
Pirates
Lenny Sadosky—Halfback—1935-1936 Cleveland Rams
Art Lewis—Tackle—1936 New York Giants
; 1938-1939 Cleveland Rams
Robert Snyder—Quarterback—1936 Pittsburgh
Pirates
; 1937-1938 Cleveland Rams
; 1938–1941,1943 Chicago Bears
Paul Halleck—End—1937 Cleveland Rams
Len Janiak—Back—1940-1942 Cleveland Rams
Chet Adams
—Tackle—1939-1942 Cleveland Rams
; 1943 Green Bay Packers
; 1946-1948 Cleveland Browns
; 1949 Buffalo Bisons
John Fekete—Back—1946 Buffalo Bisons
Vince Costello
—Linebacker—1957-1966 Cleveland Browns
; 1967-1968 New York Giants
Robert Harrison—Back—1961 Baltimore Colts
Dick Grecni—Linebacker—1961 Minnesota Vikings
Robert Brooks—Back—1961 New York Titans
Alan Miller—Linebacker—1962-1963 Washington Redskins
Chuck Turner—Tackle—1966 Buffalo Bills
Todd Snyder—Wide Receiver—1969-1973 Atlanta Falcons
Jack Leveck—Linebacker—1973-1975 St. Louis Cardinals
; 1976 Chicago Bears
Dave Green
—Punter—1972-1975 Cincinnati Bengals
; 1976-1978 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mike Green—Punter—1976 Miami Dolphins
; 1977 Houston Oilers
Brian Bertoia—Offensive Lineman—1985 Cleveland Browns
Dr. Jason Carthen former NFL player for the New England Patriots
Jason Carthen—Linebacker—1993-1997 New England Patriots
; Buffalo Bills
; Rhein Fire
Darren Reese—Offensive Lineman—1994 New York Giants
; 1995 Jacksonville Jaguars
Andy Canter—Offensive Lineman—1995 Philadelphia Eagles
Dave Zastudil
—Punter—2002-2005 Baltimore Ravens
; 2006–Present Cleveland Browns
Chad Brinker—Running Back/Returner—2003 New York Jets
Kevin Carberry—Defensive End—2005 Cleveland Browns
Chip Cox
—Defensive Back—2005 Detroit Lions
; 2007 Washington Redskins
Dion Byrum
—Cornerback—2006-2007 Chicago Bears
, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
, Carolina Panthers
Scott Mayle
—Wide Receiver—2007-2008 Buffalo Bills
Matt Muncy
—Linebacker—2007 Cincinnati Bengals
, 2008 Tennessee Titans
Voncarie Owens
—Running Back—2007 New Orleans Saints
Rudy Sylvan
—Tight End—2007-2008 Detroit Lions
T.J. Wright—Cornerback—2007 Cincinnati Bengals
Landon Cohen
—Defensive Lineman—2008–Present Detroit Lions
Todd Koenig
—Safety—2008 Cleveland Browns
Kalvin McRae
—Running Back—2008 Kansas City Chiefs
Ryan Senser
—Long-Snapper—2008 New Orleans Saints
, 2009–Present Seattle Seahawks
Joshua Abrams
—Cornerback—2008–Present Green Bay Packers
Michael Mitchell—Safety—2009–Present Oakland Raiders
Taylor Price
—Wide Receiver—2010–Present New England Patriots
All players in BOLD are current NFL players.
was a Bobcat.
Ohio's volleyball team has been steadily increasing in popularity and national prominence. Under the direction of Coach Geoff Carlston, the team won 5 consecutive Mid-American Conference regular season championships from 2003 to 2007, and 4 consecutive MAC tournament titles from 2003 to 2006. The team has appeared in the NCAA Tournament every year since 2003, and made the "sweet 16" of the NCAA tournament in 2005. Following the end of the 2007 season, Coach Geoff Carlston moved on to take the head coaching position at Ohio State University
, with Ohio naming former Florida assistant Ryan Theis to the vacant head coaching position. Under the direction of Theis, the Bobcats have won 2 MAC regular season titles and have recorded 2 NCAA Tournament appearances.
Ohio's women's swimming and diving team has won 10 MAC championships in 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, and 2008. The Aquatic Center, one of the finest swimming and diving facilities in the league and in the nation, has hosted numerous MAC Swimming and Diving Tournaments.
The Bobcat's wrestling team has won 15 MAC championships (more than any MAC program) in 1955, 1956, 1957, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 2001. Recent graduate Jake Percival earned a national reputation due to his status as a four-time All-American.
The men's golf program at Ohio is among the most celebrated in the school's history. Throughout the history of Ohio golf, 18 MAC tournament titles have been won in 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1967, 1969, 1971, 1979, 1980. PGA
legend Dow Finsterwald
is among the Ohio golf program's many famous alumni.
Other varsity teams at Ohio University include (MAC titles in parenthesis):
. The two universities are Ohio
's oldest: Ohio University
was founded in 1804 and Miami University was founded in 1809. "The Battle of the Bricks" is an annual all-sports rivalry competition between the Ohio Bobcats and the Miami RedHawks athletic programs. The name "Battle of the Bricks" evolved from each school's reputation of having a campus of red brick buildings. Each varsity athletic competition in which the Bobcats and RedHawks meet including tournament play is counted as part of the years series record. At the conclusion of each academic year, the school with the most varsity wins takes the trophy back to their campus for the following year.
Another one of Ohio's rivals is Marshall University
in West Virginia
. The annual football game between Ohio and Marshall is called "The Battle for the Bell", with a traveling bell trophy as the prize for the victor. Due to Marshall's recent move to Conference USA, this rivalry game was not played for several years. However, the two schools have agreed to play each other each year and the games are scheduled through 2015.
home of the Ohio Bobcats is the Ohio Sports Network. The first Mid-American Conference
network to reach into Columbus, the OSN continues to service Ohio University’s largest alumni base while also reaching out to Bobcat fans everywhere. The great success of the OSN has served as a model for MAC and other mid-major programs looking to create a broad-based media outlet.
The network features 12 radio affiliations throughout southeast and central Ohio, and into West Virginia:
The radio voice of the Bobcats is Russ Eisenstein. The color analyst for Bobcat football and men's basketball is Rob Cornelius, while voice of Ohio women's basketball is Tom Hodson. Ohio’s football sideline reporter is Caleb Troop.
Ohio University
Ohio University is a public university located in the Midwestern United States in Athens, Ohio, situated on an campus...
features 16 varsity sports teams called the Bobcats. The Bobcats compete in the Mid-American Conference
Mid-American Conference
The Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members...
(MAC) in all sports. The Bobcats were a charter member of the Mid-American Conference in 1946 and are the only team still in the conference from the original 5 team league that included Butler University
Butler University
Butler University is a private university located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Founded in 1855 and named after founder Ovid Butler, the university offers 60 degree programs to 4,400 students through six colleges: business, communication, education, liberal Arts and sciences, pharmacy and health...
, University of Cincinnati
University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati is a comprehensive public research university in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a part of the University System of Ohio....
, Wayne State University
Wayne State University
Wayne State University is a public research university located in Detroit, Michigan, United States, in the city's Midtown Cultural Center Historic District. Founded in 1868, WSU consists of 13 schools and colleges offering more than 400 major subject areas to over 32,000 graduate and...
, and Case Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University is a private research university located in Cleveland, Ohio, USA...
. Ohio's team colors are green
Green
Green is a color, the perception of which is evoked by light having a spectrum dominated by energy with a wavelength of roughly 520–570 nanometres. In the subtractive color system, it is not a primary color, but is created out of a mixture of yellow and blue, or yellow and cyan; it is considered...
and white
White
White is a color, the perception of which is evoked by light that stimulates all three types of color sensitive cone cells in the human eye in nearly equal amounts and with high brightness compared to the surroundings. A white visual stimulation will be void of hue and grayness.White light can be...
. All Bobcats sports compete at the highest possible level in the NCAA, with Ohio football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
competing in the Division 1 Bowl Subdivision and other sports competing in Division 1.
Athletics administration
Jim Schaus was named the new Director of Athletics at Ohio University by President Roderick J. McDavisRoderick J. McDavis
Roderick J. McDavis, Ph.D., is the 20th and current President of Ohio University, located in Athens, Ohio.- Academic career :...
on April 7, 2008. Before accepting the job at Ohio, Schaus served in the same capacity at Wichita State University
Wichita State University
Wichita State University is a NCAA Division I public university in Wichita, Kansas with selective admissions. WSU is one of six state universities governed by the Kansas Board of Regents. The current president is Dr. Donald Beggs....
for 9 years. Schaus replaced Kirby Hocutt
Kirby Hocutt
Kirby Hocutt is the current athletic director at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. Hocutt formerly held the same position at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio from 2005–2008 and the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida from 2008–2011.-Early years:...
, who took the Director of Athletics position at the University of Miami
University of Miami
The University of Miami is a private, non-sectarian university founded in 1925 with its main campus in Coral Gables, Florida, a medical campus in Miami city proper at Civic Center, and an oceanographic research facility on Virginia Key., the university currently enrolls 15,629 students in 12...
. The Ohio Athletics Department features 4 associate athletics directors: Amy Dean (Senior Associate AD/Administration and Sport Programs), Dan Hauser (Associate AD/External Operations), and Tricia Turley (Associate AD/Compliance and Student Services), and Jim Harris (Associate AD/Development).
Men's basketball
The first Ohio basketball game occurred in 1907 when the Bobcats defeated the Parkersburg YMCAYMCA
The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
46-9. Since that day, Ohio has posted a .569 winning percentage over their 100 year history and a .566 winning percentage in their 61 years in the Mid-American Conference. The Bobcats have won 5 Mid-American Conference tournament titles in 1983, 1985, 1994, 2005 and 2010. as well as 9 MAC regular season titles in 1960, 1961, 1964, 1965, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1985, and 1994. Prior to joining the MAC, the 'Cats won an Ohio Athletic Conference title in 1921 and three Buckeye Athletic Association championships in 1931, 1933, and 1937. In addition, Ohio has played in the NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
Tournament
Tournament
A tournament is a competition involving a relatively large number of competitors, all participating in a sport or game. More specifically, the term may be used in either of two overlapping senses:...
12 times (second most in the MAC), appearing in 1960, 1961, 1964, 1965, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1983, 1985, 1994, 2005, and 2010. The Bobcats have been selected for the National Invitation Tournament
National Invitation Tournament
The National Invitation Tournament is a men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. There are two NIT events each season. The first, played in November and known as the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off , was founded in 1985...
4 times in 1941 (runner-up), 1969, 1986, and 1995, while also appearing in the College Basketball Invitational
College Basketball Invitational
The College Basketball Invitational is a men's college basketball tournament created in 2007 by The Gazelle Group. The inaugural tournament occurred after the conclusion of the 2007–08 men's college basketball regular season. The CBI selects 16 teams that are not selected for the NCAA Tournament...
in 2008. As a result of the storied tradition of Ohio Bobcats basketball, the program was recently ranked 86th in Street & Smith's 100 Greatest Basketball Programs of All Time, published in 2005.
Ohio's home basketball games are played at The Convocation Center
Convocation Center (Ohio University)
Convocation Center is a 13,080-seat multi-purpose arena that is home to the Ohio Bobcats basketball, volleyball, and wrestling teams. The first men's basketball game in the arena featured an 80–70 Ohio victory over the Indiana Hoosiers on December 3, 1968.The Convocation Center,...
. Located on the south end of Ohio University's campus in Athens, Ohio
Athens, Ohio
Athens is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Athens County, Ohio, United States. It is located along the Hocking River in the southeastern part of Ohio. A historic college town, Athens is home to Ohio University and is the principal city of the Athens, Ohio Micropolitan Statistical Area. ...
, the venue has a seating capacity of 13,080. The arena was completed in 1968 and is the largest basketball facility in the Mid-American Conference and one of the largest in the nation. The "O-Zone" student cheering section helps to make the "Convo" one of the most hostile environments in the nation, and they are widely regarded as the best student section in the MAC. Thanks in part to this great atmosphere, the Bobcats have won over 75% of their home games since the opening of The Convo. Prior to playing at the Convo, Ohio basketball games were first played in Bentley Hall and then at Grover Center, two buildings that today exist as office space and classrooms for the university. The Convocation Center brought in its largest crowd on February 28, 1970, when 14,102 fans were in attendance to watch the Bobcats men's basketball team defeat the Bowling Green
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green State University, often referred to as Bowling Green or BGSU, is a public, coeducational research university located in Bowling Green, Ohio, United States. The institution was granted a charter in 1910 by the State of Ohio as part of the Lowry Bill, which also established Kent State...
Falcons 77-76. Ohio is consistently one of the attendance leaders in the Mid-American Conference and has the ability to draw good crowds, win or lose.
Some of Ohio's famous men's basketball coaches include Jim Snyder
Jim Snyder
Jim Snyder was head coach of the Ohio Bobcats men's basketball team for 26 years . He led his teams to 7 NCAA Tournament appearances and one National Invitation Tournament appearance...
, Danny Nee
Danny Nee
Danny Nee is the current Head Men's Basketball Coach at the United States Merchant Marine Academy. His career head coaching record as an NCAA Men's Basketball coach stands at 410-381.-Ohio University:...
, and Larry Hunter
Larry Hunter
- External links :*...
. Jim Snyder
Jim Snyder
Jim Snyder was head coach of the Ohio Bobcats men's basketball team for 26 years . He led his teams to 7 NCAA Tournament appearances and one National Invitation Tournament appearance...
led the Bobcats for 26 years (1949–1974) and helped Ohio to 7 NCAA Tournament appearances and one NIT appearance. Snyder's teams compiled a 355-255 record, good for a .581 winning percentage. Former Ohio Coach Danny Nee
Danny Nee
Danny Nee is the current Head Men's Basketball Coach at the United States Merchant Marine Academy. His career head coaching record as an NCAA Men's Basketball coach stands at 410-381.-Ohio University:...
led Ohio for 7 years from 1980-1986. Nee helped rebuild the program from several years of losing records, and he helped lead the team to 2 MAC Tournament titles, 2 NCAA Tournament appearances, and one NIT appearance. Following Nee's tenure at Ohio, he took a job as head coach of the Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
Cornhuskers. Today Nee is head coach of the Duquesne University
Duquesne University
Duquesne University of the Holy Spirit is a private Catholic university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded by members of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, Duquesne first opened its doors as the Pittsburgh Catholic College of the Holy Ghost in October 1878 with an enrollment of...
Dukes
Dukes
-Albums:-EPs:-Singles:...
. Larry Hunter
Larry Hunter
- External links :*...
served as head coach of Ohio from 1989–2001, compiling a winning percentage of .580 (204-148). His teams made one NCAA Tournament appearance in 1994, an NIT appearance in 1995, and won the Pre-Season NIT in 1994. Despite his good record as coach of the Bobcats, Hunter was relieved of his duties in 2001 for a lack of postseason success. Today, Hunter is head coach of the Western Carolina University
Western Carolina University
Western Carolina University is a coeducational public university located in Cullowhee, North Carolina, United States. The university is a constituent campus of the University of North Carolina system....
Catamounts.
Ohio's head coach from 2001 to 2008 was Tim O'Shea
Tim O'Shea
Tim O'Shea is an American college basketball coach. He is the current head coach of the men's basketball team at Bryant University. He has vowed to bring Bryant to multiple NCAA tournaments...
. Coach O'Shea resigned on Monday June 23, 2008, in order to become the head coach of Bryant University in Rhode Island. Coach O'Shea had arrived at Ohio in 2001 after 4 seasons as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Boston College
Boston College
Boston College is a private Jesuit research university located in the village of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA. The main campus is bisected by the border between the cities of Boston and Newton. It has 9,200 full-time undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students. Its name reflects its early...
. He came to Athens on March 29, 2001 and vowed to take the Ohio men's basketball program to what he called the "next level". This next level was realized in 2005 as he led to Bobcats to a 21-11 record, a MAC Tournament Title, and an NCAA Tournament appearance in which 13 seed Ohio nearly upset 4 seed Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. O'Shea's 2005-2006 team proved successful as well, posting a 19-11 record with wins over teams such as Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
and Samford
Samford University
Samford University, founded as Howard College is a private, coeducational, Alabama Baptist Convention-affiliated university located in Homewood, a suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, United States. It includes the , Cumberland School of Law, McWhorter School of Pharmacy, Brock School of Business, Ida V....
, and a close loss to Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
. The 2006-2007 team also posted 19 wins, with a final record of 19-13. A 20 win campaign was had in the 2007-2008 season, including notable non-conference wins over Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, St. John's, George Mason
George Mason
George Mason IV was an American Patriot, statesman and a delegate from Virginia to the U.S. Constitutional Convention...
, and Bucknell
Bucknell University
Bucknell University is a private liberal arts university located alongside the West Branch Susquehanna River in the rolling countryside of Central Pennsylvania in the town of Lewisburg, 30 miles southeast of Williamsport and 60 miles north of Harrisburg. The university consists of the College of...
. The team was extended an invite to the College Basketball Invitational
College Basketball Invitational
The College Basketball Invitational is a men's college basketball tournament created in 2007 by The Gazelle Group. The inaugural tournament occurred after the conclusion of the 2007–08 men's college basketball regular season. The CBI selects 16 teams that are not selected for the NCAA Tournament...
, where the Bobcats advanced to the second round.
On June 27, 2008, former Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State Buckeyes
The Ohio State Buckeyes are the intercollegiate sports teams and players of The Ohio State University, named after the state tree, the Buckeye. The Buckeyes participate in the NCAA's Division I in all sports and the Big Ten Conference in most sports...
associate head coach John Groce
John Groce
John Groce is an American college basketball coach and the current head coach of the Ohio University men's basketball team...
was named the sixteenth head coach in Bobcats history. Groce brings fourteen years of assistant coaching experience to Athens, along with a pair of outright Big Ten regular-season titles, two NCAA Tournament
NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship
The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball...
appearances, a berth in the 2007 NCAA National Championship game and the 2008 NIT
National Invitation Tournament
The National Invitation Tournament is a men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. There are two NIT events each season. The first, played in November and known as the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off , was founded in 1985...
title.
On March 18, 2010, the men's basketball program enjoyed what is arguably its biggest win in its history, recording a 97-83 blowout of the Georgetown Hoyas. The upset marked the first time in NCAA tournament history that a fourteen seed defeated a three seed by double digits.
Ohio's all-time NBA Draft selections
- Frank Baumholtz, 1946, Cleveland RebelsCleveland RebelsThe Cleveland Rebels were a Basketball Association of America team based in Cleveland, Ohio.-Franchise history:The Rebels were an inaugural franchise in the BAA's first season...
- Richard Schrider, 19481948 BAA DraftThe 1948 BAA Draft was the second annual draft of the Basketball Association of America , which later became the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on May 10, 1948 before to the 1948–49 season. In this draft, eight BAA teams along with four teams who moved from the National...
, New York KnicksNew York KnicksThe New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association... - Howard Jolliff, 19601960 NBA DraftThe 1960 NBA Draft was the 14th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on April 11, 1960 before the 1960–61 season. In this draft, eight NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players. A player who had finished his four-year college...
, Minneapolis LakersLos Angeles LakersThe Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association... - Larry Kruger, 19611961 NBA DraftThe 1961 NBA Draft was the 15th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on March 27, 1961 before the 1961–62 season. In this draft, nine NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players. A player who had finished his four-year college...
, Cincinnati RoyalsSacramento KingsThe Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association... - Jerry Jackson, 19641964 NBA DraftThe 1964 NBA Draft was the 18th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on May 4, 1964 before the 1964–65 season. In this draft, nine NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players. A player who had finished his four-year college eligibility...
, Detroit PistonsDetroit PistonsThe Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where... - Bunk Adams, 19651965 NBA DraftThe 1965 NBA Draft was the 19th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on May 6, 1965, before the 1965–66 season....
, Baltimore BulletsWashington WizardsThe Washington Wizards are a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., previously known as Washington Bullets. They play in the National Basketball Association .-Early years:... - John Schroeder, 19671967 NBA DraftThe 1967 NBA Draft was the 21st annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on May 3, 1967 before the 1967–68 season. In this draft, 12 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players. A player who had finished his four-year college eligibility...
, Seattle SuperSonicsSeattle SuperSonicsThe Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as... - Gerald McKee, 19691969 NBA DraftThe 1969 NBA Draft was the 23rd annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on April 7, 1969 and May 7, 1969 before the 1969–70 season. In this draft, 14 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players. A player who had finished his four-year...
, Baltimore BulletsWashington WizardsThe Washington Wizards are a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., previously known as Washington Bullets. They play in the National Basketball Association .-Early years:... - John Canine, 19701970 NBA DraftThe 1970 NBA Draft was the 24th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on March 23, 1970 before the 1970–71 season. In this draft, 17 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible players, including international players...
, Phoenix SunsPhoenix SunsThe Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US... - Greg McDivitt, 19701970 NBA DraftThe 1970 NBA Draft was the 24th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on March 23, 1970 before the 1970–71 season. In this draft, 17 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible players, including international players...
, Phoenix SunsPhoenix SunsThe Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US... - Ken Kowall, 19711971 NBA DraftThe 1971 NBA Draft was the 25th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on March 29, 1971 before the 1971–72 season. In this draft, 17 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible players, including international players...
, Philadelphia 76ersPhiladelphia 76ersThe Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA... - Craig Love, 19711971 NBA DraftThe 1971 NBA Draft was the 25th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on March 29, 1971 before the 1971–72 season. In this draft, 17 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible players, including international players...
, Buffalo BravesLos Angeles ClippersThe Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association... - Tom Corde, 19721972 NBA DraftThe 1972 NBA Draft was the 26th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on April 10, 1972 before the 1972–73 season. In this draft, 17 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible players, including international players...
, New York KnicksNew York KnicksThe New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association... - Walter Luckett, 19751975 NBA DraftThe 1975 NBA Draft was the 29th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on May 29, 1975 before the 1975–76 season. In this draft, 18 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible players, including international players...
, Detroit PistonsDetroit PistonsThe Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where... - Steve Skaggs, 19791979 NBA DraftThe 1979 NBA Draft was the 33rd annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on June 25, 1979, before the 1979–80 season. In this draft, 22 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible players, including international players...
, Cleveland CavaliersCleveland CavaliersThe Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team... - Tim Joyce, 19791979 NBA DraftThe 1979 NBA Draft was the 33rd annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on June 25, 1979, before the 1979–80 season. In this draft, 22 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible players, including international players...
, Cleveland CavaliersCleveland CavaliersThe Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team... - John Devereaux, 19841984 NBA DraftThe 1984 NBA Draft was the 38th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held at the Felt Forum at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York on June 19, 1984 before the 1984–85 season. The draft was broadcast in the United States on the USA Network. In this draft,...
, San Antonio SpursSan Antonio SpursThe San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association .... - Dave JamersonDave JamersonJohn David "Dave" Jamerson is an American former professional basketball player who was selected by the Miami Heat in the 1st round of the 1990 NBA Draft. Jamerson played for the Houston Rockets, Utah Jazz and New Jersey Nets in 3 NBA seasons...
, 19901990 NBA DraftThe 1990 NBA Draft took place on June 27, 1990, in New York City, New York. This draft produced only one perennial All-Star,Gary Payton. Among the 54 picks, Payton is considered by far the best pick of the draft. Payton went on to be considered one of the greatest point guards of all time...
, Miami HeatMiami HeatThe Miami Heat is a professional basketball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. The team is a member of the Southeast Division in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . They play their home games at American Airlines Arena in Downtown Miami... - Paul "Snoopy" Graham, 19911991 NBA DraftThe 1991 NBA Draft took place on June 26, 1991 in New York City, New York. Dikembe Mutombo is regarded as the best overall pick in this draft, becoming one of the greatest defensive centers in the history of the league. He was a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year award winner and an eight...
, Atlanta HawksAtlanta HawksThe Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:... - Gary TrentGary TrentGary Dajaun Trent is an American retired professional basketball player.Trent played his high school basketball at Hamilton Township High School in Columbus, Ohio...
, 19951995 NBA DraftThe 1995 NBA Draft took place on June 28, 1995 at SkyDome in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It marked the first NBA draft for the two Canadian expansion teams, Toronto Raptors and Vancouver Grizzlies...
, Milwaukee BucksMilwaukee BucksThe Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center.... - Brandon HunterBrandon HunterBrandon Hunter is a 6'7", 260 lbs, American professional basketball player who currently plays for BBC Bayreuth in Germany. Most of his career he has been a journeyman player....
, 20032003 NBA DraftThe 2003 NBA Draft was held on June 26, 2003 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting basketball players and other first-time eligible players, such as players from high schools and...
, Boston CelticsBoston CelticsThe Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
Football
The long and storied tradition of Ohio Bobcats football began in 1894 with an 8-0 loss to Marietta CollegeMarietta College
Marietta College is a co-educational private college in Marietta, Ohio, USA, which was the first permanent settlement of the Northwest Territory. The school offers 42 majors along with a large number of minors, all of which are grounded in a strong liberal arts foundation...
. Since that day, the Bobcats have posted a 498-516-48 record over their 112 year existence and a 202-243-11 record over their 60 years in the Mid-American Conference
Mid-American Conference
The Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members...
. The Bobcats have won 5 MAC Football championships in 1953, 1960, 1963, 1967, and 1968, and MAC East Division championships in 2006 and 2009. Prior to joining the MAC, the Bobcats won 6 Buckeye Athletic Association championships in 1929, 1930, 1931, 1935, 1936, and 1938. In 1960, the Bobcats were crowned National Small College Champions after compiling a 10-0 record under Coach Bill Hess. The Bobcats have appeared in four bowl games, losing 15-14 to West Texas State
West Texas A&M University
West Texas A&M University , part of the Texas A&M University System, is a public university located in Canyon, Texas, a small city south of Amarillo. West Texas A&M opened on September 20, 1910...
in the 1962 Sun Bowl
Sun Bowl
The Sun Bowl is an annual U.S. college football bowl game that is usually played at the end of December in El Paso, Texas. The Sun Bowl, along with the Sugar Bowl and the Orange Bowl are the second-oldest bowl games in the country, behind the Rose Bowl...
, losing 49-42 to Richmond
University of Richmond
The University of Richmond is a selective, private, nonsectarian, liberal arts university located on the border of the city of Richmond and Henrico County, Virginia. The University of Richmond is a primarily undergraduate, residential university with approximately 4,000 undergraduate and graduate...
in the 1968 Tangerine Bowl
Capital One Bowl
The Capital One Bowl is an annual college football bowl game played in Orlando, Florida at the Citrus Bowl, and previously known as the Tangerine Bowl and the Florida Citrus Bowl...
, falling 28-7 to Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi, informally known as Southern Miss, is a large public research university located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, United States. It is situated north of Gulfport, Mississippi and northeast of New Orleans, Louisiana...
in the 2007 GMAC Bowl
GMAC Bowl
The GoDaddy.com Bowl is a post-season NCAA-sanctioned Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football bowl game that has been played annually at Ladd Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama since 1999. It currently matches teams from the Sun Belt Conference and the Mid-American Conference, and...
, and losing 21-17 to Marshall
Marshall Thundering Herd
The Marshall Thundering Herd are the intercollegiate athletic teams that collectively represent the Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Thundering Herd athletic teams compete in Conference USA, which are members of the NCAA Division I...
in the 2009 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl.
Ohio's home football games are played at Peden Stadium
Peden Stadium
Peden Stadium is a American football stadium on the banks of the Hocking River in Athens, Ohio. It has been the home of the Ohio Bobcats football team since 1929, and today has a capacity of 24,000...
. Located on the south end of Ohio University's campus in Athens, Ohio
Athens, Ohio
Athens is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Athens County, Ohio, United States. It is located along the Hocking River in the southeastern part of Ohio. A historic college town, Athens is home to Ohio University and is the principal city of the Athens, Ohio Micropolitan Statistical Area. ...
, the venue has a seating capacity
Seating capacity
Seating capacity refers to the number of people who can be seated in a specific space, both in terms of the physical space available, and in terms of limitations set by law. Seating capacity can be used in the description of anything ranging from an automobile that seats two to a stadium that seats...
of 24,000. The stadium was built in 1929 and is the oldest college football stadium in the Mid-American Conference and among the oldest in the nation. Many recent renovation and expansion efforts, though, have allowed the stadium to keep pace with the ever-changing landscape of college football stadiums. As such, Peden Stadium, nicknamed "The Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales...
of College Football", is considered among the best college football facilities in the Mid-American Conference and the nation. Peden Stadium brought in its largest crowd on September 9, 2005, when 24,545 fans were in attendance to watch the Bobcats defeat the University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
Panthers
University of Pittsburgh Panthers
The Pittsburgh Panthers, commonly also referred to as the Pitt Panthers, are the athletic teams of University of Pittsburgh, although the term is colloquially used to refer to other aspects of the university such as alumni, faculty, and students...
16-10. Ohio is consistently one of the attendance leaders in the Mid-American Conference and has the ability to draw good crowds, win or lose.
Some of Ohio's famous football coaches include Don Peden
Don Peden
Don C. Peden was an American football and baseball player and coach. He served as the head football coach at Ohio University from 1924 to 1946, compiling a record of 121–46–11. Peden's winning percentage of .711 is the highest of any coach in the history of the Ohio Bobcats football...
, Bill Hess
Bill Hess
William "Bill" Hess was head coach of the Ohio Bobcats football team from 1958 to 1977. In his tenure at Ohio, Hess had a 108–91–4 record, giving him a winning percentage of .542 that is second only to legendary coach Don Peden on Ohio's all-time list...
, Jim Grobe
Jim Grobe
Jim Grobe is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach at Wake Forest University, a position he has held since the 2001 season. From 1995 to 2000, Grobe served as the head coach at Ohio University...
, and current head coach Frank Solich
Frank Solich
Frank Solich is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach at Ohio University, a position he has held since the 2005 season...
. Don Peden
Don Peden
Don C. Peden was an American football and baseball player and coach. He served as the head football coach at Ohio University from 1924 to 1946, compiling a record of 121–46–11. Peden's winning percentage of .711 is the highest of any coach in the history of the Ohio Bobcats football...
coached from 1924–1946, compiling a 121-46-11 record, good for a winning percentage of .711 that still stands as the best ever for an Ohio football coach. Peden's teams won a total of 6 Buckeye Athletic Association Championships in his tenure and left a lasting mark on the program when the Bobcat's football stadium, Peden Stadium, was named in his honor following his retirement. Bill Hess
Bill Hess
William "Bill" Hess was head coach of the Ohio Bobcats football team from 1958 to 1977. In his tenure at Ohio, Hess had a 108–91–4 record, giving him a winning percentage of .542 that is second only to legendary coach Don Peden on Ohio's all-time list...
's time at Ohio was equally impressive. Coaching from 1958–1977, Hess had a 108-91-4 record, giving him a winning percentage of .542 that is second only to Peden on Ohio's all-time list. Coach Hess's teams won 4 MAC Championships, participated in 2 bowl games, and won a National Small College Championship in 1960 after having an undefeated season. Former Ohio Coach Jim Grobe
Jim Grobe
Jim Grobe is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach at Wake Forest University, a position he has held since the 2001 season. From 1995 to 2000, Grobe served as the head coach at Ohio University...
took the helm of the Bobcats program in 1995, inheriting a squad that winless in the previous season. Grobe quickly turned the program around, as his teams went 8-3 in 1997 and 7-4 in 2000. Coach Grobe had a 33-33-1 record in his time at Ohio, good for a .500 winning percentage that is fourth among all Ohio football coaches. After the 2000 football season, Grobe took a job as head football coach at Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University is a private, coeducational university in the U.S. state of North Carolina, founded in 1834. The university received its name from its original location in Wake Forest, north of Raleigh, North Carolina, the state capital. The Reynolda Campus, the university's main campus, is...
.
Frank Solich
Frank Solich
Frank Solich is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach at Ohio University, a position he has held since the 2005 season...
was named the 28th football coach of the Bobcats on December 16, 2004. Prior to coming to Ohio, Solich spent many years as a part of the University of Nebraska football program, as a player, an assistant coach, and later as the head coach. Solich was head coach of the Cornhuskers from 1998-2003 where he directed Nebraska to 6 consecutive bowl games, including the national championship game in the 2002 Rose Bowl
Rose Bowl Game
The Rose Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game, usually played on January 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. When New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the game is played on Monday, January 2...
. Solich's impact on the Ohio program was immediate, as plans were put in place to renovate Ohio's football facilities and increase financial support for the football program. Also, Ohio was selected to appear on national television 6 times for the 2005 football season, a record for the program. Frank Solich's first home game as coach of Ohio was a memorable one, as Peden Stadium brought in its largest ever crowd to watch the Bobcats defeat the University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
Panthers
University of Pittsburgh Panthers
The Pittsburgh Panthers, commonly also referred to as the Pitt Panthers, are the athletic teams of University of Pittsburgh, although the term is colloquially used to refer to other aspects of the university such as alumni, faculty, and students...
16-10.
Under the guidance of Frank Solich, the Ohio football program has enjoyed a return to national prominence. On November 16, 2006 the Bobcats secured their first-ever Mid-American Conference
Mid-American Conference
The Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members...
East Division title and their first football championship of any sort since 1968 with a victory over the University of Akron
University of Akron
The University of Akron is a coeducational public research university located in Akron, Ohio, United States. The university is part of the University System of Ohio. It was founded in 1870 as a small college affiliated with the Universalist Church. In 1913 ownership was transferred to the City of...
Zips
University of Akron
The University of Akron is a coeducational public research university located in Akron, Ohio, United States. The university is part of the University System of Ohio. It was founded in 1870 as a small college affiliated with the Universalist Church. In 1913 ownership was transferred to the City of...
. They then advanced to the MAC Championship Game in Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
, where they were defeated by Central Michigan 31-10. On January 7, 2007, the Bobcats acted as the MAC representative in the GMAC Bowl
GMAC Bowl
The GoDaddy.com Bowl is a post-season NCAA-sanctioned Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football bowl game that has been played annually at Ladd Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama since 1999. It currently matches teams from the Sun Belt Conference and the Mid-American Conference, and...
in Mobile, Alabama
Mobile, Alabama
Mobile is the third most populous city in the Southern US state of Alabama and is the county seat of Mobile County. It is located on the Mobile River and the central Gulf Coast of the United States. The population within the city limits was 195,111 during the 2010 census. It is the largest...
, losing 28-7 to The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi, informally known as Southern Miss, is a large public research university located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, United States. It is situated north of Gulfport, Mississippi and northeast of New Orleans, Louisiana...
Golden Eagles
The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi, informally known as Southern Miss, is a large public research university located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, United States. It is situated north of Gulfport, Mississippi and northeast of New Orleans, Louisiana...
in a game nationally televised on ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
. The Bobcats followed up the impressive 2006 campaign with a 6-6 record in 2007, and was one of 6 bowl eligible
Bowl eligible
Bowl eligibility in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision College Football is the standard through which teams become available for selection to participate in postseason bowl games. When a team achieves this state, it is described as "bowl-eligible"...
programs that was not invited to post-season play. The Bobcats returned to the post-season in 2009, posting a 9-3 regular season record and another MAC East Championship. Ohio played in the MAC Championship Game, where they fell to Central Michigan 20-10. On December 26, 2009, the Bobcats fell 21-17 to the Marshall University
Marshall University
Marshall University is a coeducational public research university in Huntington, West Virginia, United States founded in 1837, and named after John Marshall, the fourth Chief Justice of the United States....
Thundering Herd
Marshall Thundering Herd
The Marshall Thundering Herd are the intercollegiate athletic teams that collectively represent the Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Thundering Herd athletic teams compete in Conference USA, which are members of the NCAA Division I...
in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl.
Ohio's All-Time Players in the NFL
Russell Kepler—Halfback—1933-1936 Cleveland RamsCleveland Rams
The Cleveland Rams were a professional American football team based in Cleveland, Ohio.The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland, Ohio. The NFL considers the franchise as a second incarnation of the previous Cleveland Rams team that was a charter member of the second American Football League...
, Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
Shamrocks
Shamrocks
Shamrocks is a solitaire game akin to La Belle Lucie. The object is the same as the latter: move the cards into the foundations.-Rules:The game is layout out as in La Belle Lucie: seventeen piles of three cards are placed on the table with one card counting as an eighteenth. Any card that can be...
William Snyder—Guard—1934-1935 Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
Pirates
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
Lenny Sadosky—Halfback—1935-1936 Cleveland Rams
Cleveland Rams
The Cleveland Rams were a professional American football team based in Cleveland, Ohio.The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland, Ohio. The NFL considers the franchise as a second incarnation of the previous Cleveland Rams team that was a charter member of the second American Football League...
Art Lewis—Tackle—1936 New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
; 1938-1939 Cleveland Rams
Cleveland Rams
The Cleveland Rams were a professional American football team based in Cleveland, Ohio.The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland, Ohio. The NFL considers the franchise as a second incarnation of the previous Cleveland Rams team that was a charter member of the second American Football League...
Robert Snyder—Quarterback—1936 Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
Pirates
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
; 1937-1938 Cleveland Rams
Cleveland Rams
The Cleveland Rams were a professional American football team based in Cleveland, Ohio.The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland, Ohio. The NFL considers the franchise as a second incarnation of the previous Cleveland Rams team that was a charter member of the second American Football League...
; 1938–1941,1943 Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
Paul Halleck—End—1937 Cleveland Rams
Cleveland Rams
The Cleveland Rams were a professional American football team based in Cleveland, Ohio.The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland, Ohio. The NFL considers the franchise as a second incarnation of the previous Cleveland Rams team that was a charter member of the second American Football League...
Len Janiak—Back—1940-1942 Cleveland Rams
Cleveland Rams
The Cleveland Rams were a professional American football team based in Cleveland, Ohio.The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland, Ohio. The NFL considers the franchise as a second incarnation of the previous Cleveland Rams team that was a charter member of the second American Football League...
Chet Adams
Chet Adams
Chet Adams was a professional American football offensive tackle who played ten seasons in the National Football League, mainly with the Cleveland Browns....
—Tackle—1939-1942 Cleveland Rams
Cleveland Rams
The Cleveland Rams were a professional American football team based in Cleveland, Ohio.The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland, Ohio. The NFL considers the franchise as a second incarnation of the previous Cleveland Rams team that was a charter member of the second American Football League...
; 1943 Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
; 1946-1948 Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
; 1949 Buffalo Bisons
Buffalo Bisons
The Buffalo Bisons are a minor league baseball team based in Buffalo, New York. They currently play in the International League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets...
John Fekete—Back—1946 Buffalo Bisons
Buffalo Bisons
The Buffalo Bisons are a minor league baseball team based in Buffalo, New York. They currently play in the International League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets...
Vince Costello
Vince Costello
Vincent Costello is a former American football linebacker who played twelve seasons in the National Football League for the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants...
—Linebacker—1957-1966 Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
; 1967-1968 New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
Robert Harrison—Back—1961 Baltimore Colts
History of the Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional football team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They play in the AFC South division of the National Football League. They have won 3 NFL championships and 2 Super Bowls....
Dick Grecni—Linebacker—1961 Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
Robert Brooks—Back—1961 New York Titans
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
Alan Miller—Linebacker—1962-1963 Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
Chuck Turner—Tackle—1966 Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
Todd Snyder—Wide Receiver—1969-1973 Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
Jack Leveck—Linebacker—1973-1975 St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
; 1976 Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
Dave Green
Dave Green (American football)
Dave Green is a former punter and placekicker in the National Football League. He played for the Houston Oilers, the Cincinnati Bengals, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers...
—Punter—1972-1975 Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
; 1976-1978 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
Mike Green—Punter—1976 Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
; 1977 Houston Oilers
Brian Bertoia—Offensive Lineman—1985 Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
Dr. Jason Carthen former NFL player for the New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
Jason Carthen—Linebacker—1993-1997 New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
; Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
; Rhein Fire
Darren Reese—Offensive Lineman—1994 New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
; 1995 Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
Andy Canter—Offensive Lineman—1995 Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
Dave Zastudil
Dave Zastudil
David Michael Zastudil is an American football punter for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League...
—Punter—2002-2005 Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
; 2006–Present Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
Chad Brinker—Running Back/Returner—2003 New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
Kevin Carberry—Defensive End—2005 Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
Chip Cox
Chip Cox
Chip Cox is a Canadian football linebacker for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League.-High school career:...
—Defensive Back—2005 Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
; 2007 Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
Dion Byrum
Dion Byrum
Dion Byrum is an American football cornerback in the Arena Football League for the Orlando Predators....
—Cornerback—2006-2007 Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
, Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
Scott Mayle
Scott Mayle
Scott Mayle is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent in 2007...
—Wide Receiver—2007-2008 Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
Matt Muncy
Matt Muncy
Matt Muncy is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He is also a football coach at Miamisburg High School. He was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2007...
—Linebacker—2007 Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
, 2008 Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
Voncarie Owens
Voncarie Owens
Voncarie Owens is a running back for Team Michigan of the All American Football League. Owens was signed by the Rams as an undrafted rookie free agent on April 30, 2007 after four years as a collegiate player at Ohio University.-Ohio University career:...
—Running Back—2007 New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
Rudy Sylvan
Rudy Sylvan
Rudy Sylvan is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was originally signed by the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2007...
—Tight End—2007-2008 Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
T.J. Wright—Cornerback—2007 Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
Landon Cohen
Landon Cohen
Landon Cohen is an American football defensive end who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
—Defensive Lineman—2008–Present Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
Todd Koenig
Todd Koenig
Todd Koenig was an American football safety for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2008, but was cut from the roster on May 6...
—Safety—2008 Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
Kalvin McRae
Kalvin McRae
Kalvin "Big Play" McRae is an American football running back who was released by the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League prior to the beginning of training camp. He was originally signed by the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent on April 27, 2008...
—Running Back—2008 Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
Ryan Senser
Ryan Senser
Ryan Senser is an American football long snapper for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League . He was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
—Long-Snapper—2008 New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
, 2009–Present Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
Joshua Abrams
Joshua Abrams
Joshua Abrams is a Canadian football cornerback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Ohio...
—Cornerback—2008–Present Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
Michael Mitchell—Safety—2009–Present Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
Taylor Price
Taylor Price
-New England Patriots:Price was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft. On May 25, 2010, he signed a four-year deal with the Patriots. Price was inactive for the first 15 games of his rookie regular season before making his NFL debut in the Week 17 finale...
—Wide Receiver—2010–Present New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
All players in BOLD are current NFL players.
Ohio's All Americans
- Gerald Moore-2009
- Lavon Brazil-2009
- Noah Keller-2009
- Matt Weller-2009
- Dion ByrumDion ByrumDion Byrum is an American football cornerback in the Arena Football League for the Orlando Predators....
-2005 - Dave ZastudilDave ZastudilDavid Michael Zastudil is an American football punter for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League...
-2001 - Mark Poindexter-1983
- Cleve Bryant—1968
- Todd Snyder—1968
- Ken Carmon—1968
- John Frick—1966
- Skip Hoovler—1963
- Bob Brooks—1960
- Dick Grecni—1960
- Vince Costello—1952
- Al Scheider—1951
- John Kerns—1946
- Danny Risaliti—1940
- Art Lewis—1935
- Lenard Sadosky—1932
Olympic sports
The Ohio baseball program has won 14 MAC regular season titles in 1947, 1948, 1953, 1954, 1956, 1960, 1964, 1965, 1968, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, and 1991. The team has also won a MAC tournament title in 1997, and has made a College World Series appearance in 1970. There have been a total of 23 Bobcats in the major leagues, and hundreds more in the minors. Most notably, Hall of Famer Mike SchmidtMike Schmidt
Michael Jack Schmidt is a Hall of Fame third baseman popularly considered among the greatest third basemen in the history of Major League Baseball. He played his entire career for the Philadelphia Phillies....
was a Bobcat.
Ohio's volleyball team has been steadily increasing in popularity and national prominence. Under the direction of Coach Geoff Carlston, the team won 5 consecutive Mid-American Conference regular season championships from 2003 to 2007, and 4 consecutive MAC tournament titles from 2003 to 2006. The team has appeared in the NCAA Tournament every year since 2003, and made the "sweet 16" of the NCAA tournament in 2005. Following the end of the 2007 season, Coach Geoff Carlston moved on to take the head coaching position at Ohio State University
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
, with Ohio naming former Florida assistant Ryan Theis to the vacant head coaching position. Under the direction of Theis, the Bobcats have won 2 MAC regular season titles and have recorded 2 NCAA Tournament appearances.
Ohio's women's swimming and diving team has won 10 MAC championships in 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, and 2008. The Aquatic Center, one of the finest swimming and diving facilities in the league and in the nation, has hosted numerous MAC Swimming and Diving Tournaments.
The Bobcat's wrestling team has won 15 MAC championships (more than any MAC program) in 1955, 1956, 1957, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 2001. Recent graduate Jake Percival earned a national reputation due to his status as a four-time All-American.
The men's golf program at Ohio is among the most celebrated in the school's history. Throughout the history of Ohio golf, 18 MAC tournament titles have been won in 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1967, 1969, 1971, 1979, 1980. PGA
PGA Tour
The PGA Tour is the organizer of the main men's professional golf tours in the United States and North America...
legend Dow Finsterwald
Dow Finsterwald
Dow Henry Finsterwald, Sr. is an American professional golfer who is best known for winning the 1958 PGA Championship. He won 11 Tour titles between 1955 and 1963, played on four Ryder Cup teams, and served as non-playing captain for the 1977 U.S. Ryder Cup team.Finsterwald was born and raised in...
is among the Ohio golf program's many famous alumni.
Other varsity teams at Ohio University include (MAC titles in parenthesis):
- Women's BasketballBasketballBasketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
(1986) - Men's Cross CountryCross country runningCross country running is a sport in which people run a race on open-air courses over natural terrain. The course, typically long, may include surfaces of grass and earth, pass through woodlands and open country, and include hills, flat ground and sometimes gravel road...
(1962, 1964, 1996) - Women's Cross CountryCross country runningCross country running is a sport in which people run a race on open-air courses over natural terrain. The course, typically long, may include surfaces of grass and earth, pass through woodlands and open country, and include hills, flat ground and sometimes gravel road...
(1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1997, 2006, 2007) more titles than any MAC program - Women's Golf
- Women's Indoor Track and FieldTrack and fieldTrack and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
- Women's Outdoor Track and FieldTrack and fieldTrack and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
(1983, 1984, 1994) - Women's Field Hockey (1987, 1991, 2006, 2007, 2009)
- Women's Soccer (1998, 2001, 2004) more regular season titles than any MAC program
- SoftballSoftballSoftball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of 10 to 14 players. It is a direct descendant of baseball although there are some key differences: softballs are larger than baseballs, and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand...
(1995)
Athletic eliminations
On January 25, 2007, then-Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt announced the elimination of four varsity sports at Ohio University. Those sports include: men's swimming and diving, men's indoor track, men's outdoor track and women's lacrosse. The decision was announced without any advance warning to the student athletes involved causing major tension between the student body and the administration. The Athletic Department later revealed that the money saved would be used to strategically reinvest in revenue sports.Facilities
Ohio's athletic facilities are among the finest in the Mid-American Conference and the nation. The names of the facilities and the teams that utilize them are as follows:- Peden StadiumPeden StadiumPeden Stadium is a American football stadium on the banks of the Hocking River in Athens, Ohio. It has been the home of the Ohio Bobcats football team since 1929, and today has a capacity of 24,000...
(FootballAmerican footballAmerican football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
) - Convocation CenterConvocation Center (Ohio University)Convocation Center is a 13,080-seat multi-purpose arena that is home to the Ohio Bobcats basketball, volleyball, and wrestling teams. The first men's basketball game in the arena featured an 80–70 Ohio victory over the Indiana Hoosiers on December 3, 1968.The Convocation Center,...
(BasketballBasketballBasketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, VolleyballVolleyballVolleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...
, WrestlingWrestlingWrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position...
) - Bob Wren StadiumBob Wren StadiumBob Wren Stadium is a baseball stadium located in Athens, Ohio on the campus of Ohio University. It serves as the home field for the Ohio Bobcats since opening on April 18, 1998. The Bobcats opened the facility by defeating the Bowling Green Falcons 4-1 in front of a sellout crowd.Bob Wren Stadium...
(BaseballBaseballBaseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
) - Ohio Softball FieldOhio Softball FieldThe Ohio Softball Field is the softball field of the Ohio Bobcats. It has been home to Ohio Bobcats softball since it was opened on April 2, 1999. On that day, Ohio swept a doubleheader from archrival Miami University in front of a crowd of 436 fans...
(SoftballSoftballSoftball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of 10 to 14 players. It is a direct descendant of baseball although there are some key differences: softballs are larger than baseballs, and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand...
) - Aquatic Center (SwimmingSwimming (sport)Swimming is a sport governed by the Fédération Internationale de Natation .-History: Competitive swimming in Europe began around 1800 BCE, mostly in the form of the freestyle. In 1873 Steve Bowyer introduced the trudgen to Western swimming competitions, after copying the front crawl used by Native...
and DivingDivingDiving is the sport of jumping or falling into water from a platform or springboard, sometimes while performing acrobatics. Diving is an internationally-recognized sport that is part of the Olympic Games. In addition, unstructured and non-competitive diving is a recreational pastime.Diving is one...
) - Chessa FieldChessa FieldChessa Field is the women's soccer field of the Ohio Bobcats. It was opened under the name of "Ohio Soccer Field" on September 6, 1997. On that day, Ohio defeated the Youngstown State University Penguins 2-0 in what was also the first home varsity women's soccer game in the history of Ohio...
(Women's Soccer) - Pruitt FieldPruitt FieldPruitt Fueld is a field hockey field located in Athens, Ohio on the campus of Ohio University. It serves as the home of the Ohio Bobcats women's field hockey program and opened in 2000....
(Field HockeyField hockeyField Hockey, or Hockey, is a team sport in which a team of players attempts to score goals by hitting, pushing or flicking a ball into an opposing team's goal using sticks... - Goldsberry TrackGoldsberry TrackGoldsberry Track is the home of the Ohio Bobcats women's track and field team. It has been home to the program since the facility opened in May 2000....
(Track and FieldTrack and fieldTrack and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
) - Athens Country Club (Men's and Women's Golf)
- Ossian C. Bird ArenaOssian C. Bird ArenaOssian C. Bird Arena is an ice arena and recreational sport facility located in Athens, Ohio and owned and operated by Ohio University. The arena serves as the home for Ohio University Club Men's college ice hockey team that competes in the American Collegiate Hockey Association at the Division I...
(Men's Club Ice HockeyIce hockeyIce hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
)
The Kermit Blosser Ohio Athletics Hall of Fame
The Kermit Blosser Ohio Athletics Hall of Fame is the shrine which all Ohio Bobcats greats aspire to enter. Established in 1965, it is considered the premier athletics hall of fame in the Mid-American Conference. Inductees to the Blosser Ohio Athletics Hall of Fame are inducted during banquet ceremonies the evening prior to a designated home football game. Inductees are also recognized during a special halftime ceremony at the football game the following day. Inductees are also honored into perpetuity as their portrait and accomplishments are displayed in the Ohio Athletics Hall of Fame currently located in the Convocation Center.Rivalries
Ohio's archrival is Miami UniversityMiami University
Miami University is a coeducational public research university located in Oxford, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1809, it is the 10th oldest public university in the United States and the second oldest university in Ohio, founded four years after Ohio University. In its 2012 edition, U.S...
. The two universities are Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
's oldest: Ohio University
Ohio University
Ohio University is a public university located in the Midwestern United States in Athens, Ohio, situated on an campus...
was founded in 1804 and Miami University was founded in 1809. "The Battle of the Bricks" is an annual all-sports rivalry competition between the Ohio Bobcats and the Miami RedHawks athletic programs. The name "Battle of the Bricks" evolved from each school's reputation of having a campus of red brick buildings. Each varsity athletic competition in which the Bobcats and RedHawks meet including tournament play is counted as part of the years series record. At the conclusion of each academic year, the school with the most varsity wins takes the trophy back to their campus for the following year.
Another one of Ohio's rivals is Marshall University
Marshall University
Marshall University is a coeducational public research university in Huntington, West Virginia, United States founded in 1837, and named after John Marshall, the fourth Chief Justice of the United States....
in West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
. The annual football game between Ohio and Marshall is called "The Battle for the Bell", with a traveling bell trophy as the prize for the victor. Due to Marshall's recent move to Conference USA, this rivalry game was not played for several years. However, the two schools have agreed to play each other each year and the games are scheduled through 2015.
Ohio athletics traditions
Ohio is a tradition-rich school, and many of those traditions are associated with athletics events, especially football. Some Ohio traditions include:- Rufus the Bobcat - The school mascot, a fierce yet friendly looking Bobcat that always sports an Ohio jersey with a number "1" on the back.
- The Ohio University Marching 110The Ohio University Marching 110The Ohio University Marching Band, known as the Marching 110, is known for its high-intensity, hard-driving marching style.Originally referring to the 110 members of the band in 1968, the band has now extended its membership to 227 members during this 2011 season...
- "The Most Exciting Band in the Land" is widely regarded as one of the best in the nation and was ranked by Link Magazine in 1996 as one of the Top 10 college marching bands in the nation. They perform at every Ohio home football game and have marched at other events such as the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and numerous NFL games. - "Stand Up and Cheer" - Ohio's fight song
- "Alma Mater, Ohio" - Ohio's alma mater song
- Salute to the Students - Following every Ohio home football game, win or lose, Ohio football players head to the student section to thank the Bobcat's most rabid fans for attending.
- The Cannon - After every Ohio score, an 19th century style military cannon is fired. When the Bobcats enter the field, the cannon shoots off a smoke "O" that can be seen for several minutes before fading into the air.
- The "O Zone" - The student cheering section at every Ohio men's basketball game. Widely regarded as the best student section in the conference and one of the best in the nation, their "Winning Team, Losing Team" chant is recognizable by college basketball fans everywhere.
- Tail-Great Park - The park across from Peden Stadium is transformed for every home football game into "Tail-Great Park". The park features kid's games, live music, and tailgating everywhere the eye can see on gameday.
- Homecoming Parade - The annual homecoming parade at Ohio begins in downtown Athens and ends in the Peden Stadium parking lot just in time for the big game. Always on a Saturday afternoon, homecoming is always one of the highest attended games of the football season.
- CatFX- The always exciting and informative graphics and videos displayed on the videoboards at Peden Stadium and the Convocation center.
Radio network
The official radioRadio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
home of the Ohio Bobcats is the Ohio Sports Network. The first Mid-American Conference
Mid-American Conference
The Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members...
network to reach into Columbus, the OSN continues to service Ohio University’s largest alumni base while also reaching out to Bobcat fans everywhere. The great success of the OSN has served as a model for MAC and other mid-major programs looking to create a broad-based media outlet.
The network features 12 radio affiliations throughout southeast and central Ohio, and into West Virginia:
- WXTQWXTQWXTQ is a radio station broadcasting a Top 40 format. Licensed to Athens, Ohio, USA. The station is currently owned by WATH.-External links:Listen online at Power 105's official Website:...
-FM 105.5 Athens, OH - WCLT-FMWCLT-FMWCLT-FM is a radio station broadcasting a Country music format. Its brand identifier is Today's Country and Your All-Time Favorites, T-100. Licensed to Newark, Ohio, USA, the station serves the Columbus area. The station is currently owned by Wclt Radio and features programing from Fox News...
100.3 Newark, OH and/or Columbus, OH - WCMI-AM 1340 Ironton, OH
- WKOV-FM 96.7 Jackson, OH
- WMOA-AM 1490 Marietta, OH
- WJAW-FMWJAW-FMWJAW-FM is a radio station broadcasting an all sports format. Licensed to McConnelsville, Ohio, USA. The station is currently owned by Quiet Radio Inc..-External links:...
100.9 McConnelsville, OH - WMPOWMPOWMPO is a radio station broadcasting a Sports radio format. Licensed to Middleport, Ohio, USA. The station is currently owned by Positive Radio Group, Inc...
-AM 1390 Middleport, OH - WYVKWYVKWYVK is a radio station broadcasting a Classic Hits format. Licensed to Middleport, Ohio, USA. The station is currently owned by Positive Radio Group, Inc. of Ohio and features programing from ABC Radio .-History:...
-FM 92.1 Middleport, OH - WSEOWSEOWSEO is a radio station broadcasting a New Country format. Licensed to Nelsonville, Ohio, USA. The station is currently owned by Nelsonville TV Cable and features programing from Jones Radio Network.-History:...
-FM 107.7 Nelsonville, OH - WHNKWHNKWHNK is a Classic Country formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Parkersburg, West Virginia, serving Metro Parkersburg. WHNK is owned and operated by Clear Channel Communications.-External links:*...
-AM 1450 Parkersburg, WV - WJAWWJAW (AM)WJAW is a Sports formatted broadcast radio station licensed to St. Marys, West Virginia, serving the Mid-Ohio Valley. WJAW is owned and operated by JAWCO, Inc.-External links:*...
AM 630 St. Marys, WV - WRACWRAC (FM)WRAC is a radio station broadcasting a Country music format. Licensed to Georgetown, Ohio, USA, the station is owned by Dreamcatcher Communications.-History:The station was assigned the call letters WIAO on 1981-06-05...
FM 103.1 West Union, OH
The radio voice of the Bobcats is Russ Eisenstein. The color analyst for Bobcat football and men's basketball is Rob Cornelius, while voice of Ohio women's basketball is Tom Hodson. Ohio’s football sideline reporter is Caleb Troop.
External links
- Official Ohio University Athletics Website
- Giving to Ohio Athletics
- Ohio Green & White Club - Supporting Ohio Bobcats Athletics
- Unofficial Ohio Bobcats Fan Website
- Mid-American Conference Sports Fan Website
- Official Website of the Mid-American Conference
- Ohio Sports Time blog - covers all 6 Ohio MAC schools