I do not want to see USG spend $30,000 on a statue to honor Woody Hayes. I believe the Undergraduate Student Government should collaborate with the Ohio State Alumni Association, the Department of Athletics and various university leaders to build this statue. Many alumni have commented to me that they would be willing to donate to this cause. This would be a great opportunity for OSU to raise money and to raise awareness about one of the most famous people associated with OSU. The text of the ballot initiative does not call upon USG to spend $30,000 for the creation of a statue; it does state that USG shall lobby for and financially contribute to the creation of a Wayne Woodrow “Woody” Hayes statue.
It should also be stated that USG will not be voting on this issue. I want to make it perfectly clear that students will be voting on this issue in the upcoming election. As a ballot initiative, students will get to express their will on this issue. Students will be able to vote online (March 12th and 13th) at www.usg.osu.edu.
Now that I have addressed the cost issue, I would like to talk about why coach Hayes deserves to be honored. Aside from being a successful football coach, Woody Hayes was a humanitarian, a scholar and had a competitive drive which made him the best at what he did. Coach Hayes was here from 1951-1978. I would like to share one story about coach Hayes with readers of The Lantern. The day after the 1969 National Championship game (The Rose Bowl), coach Hayes left for Vietnam to raise the morale of troops overseas. Could you imagine a modern day coach doing that? Woody’s service to others is something we should all emulate. Woody sincerely cared about his football players, this wonderful institution and always believed in “paying forward.”
OSU is very rich in its traditions. Since 1870, OSU has been the flagship institution of Ohio. A statue honoring coach Hayes would help to establish a bridge between the past, present and future.
I believe the most important thing students, alumni and faculty can do is share their ideas. If you have any thoughts on this issue at all (both positive and negative), feel free to e-mail me at [email protected].
Patrick SprinkleColumbus, OhioUSG SenatorSouth Campus
