COLUMBUS, OH – The Pizzuti Companies today held a rededication ceremony marking the site of The Ohio State University’s first home football game, played on November 1, 1890, against the College of Wooster.
Joel Pizzuti, President and CEO of The Pizzuti Companies, Ross Bjork, Senior Vice President and Athletics Director for The Ohio State University, Megan Wood, Executive Director and CEO of Ohio History Connection, and Ryan Burgess, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries Columbus, addressed the audience gathered at the corner of Whittier and Jaeger Streets to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the historical marker’s original placement.
“As a lifelong fan of OSU football, I’m excited to recognize this important event in our community’s history,” said Joel Pizzuti, President and CEO of The Pizzuti Companies. “I’m a proud season ticket holder, and my wife is a proud graduate of The Ohio State University – to say we’re fans is an understatement. I am honored to rededicate this historical marker, which was recently restored by Ohio-based Sewah Studios twenty years after its original placement.”
Sewah Studios is America’s leading manufacturer of roadside historical markers based in Marietta, Ohio; the organization was responsible for the important restoration of this historical marker.
The College of Wooster, which won the game 64-0, was represented by Marcus Fowler, class of 2001 swimming and diving alumnus, and Ryan Burgess, class of 1993 basketball alumnus, who attended the original dedication in 2006. Also in attendance were members of the Schumacher Place Civic Association.
The Site of First Ohio State Home Football Game marker facing south from Whittier Street reads: “In the fall, life for many in Columbus revolves around Ohio State University football, from the first kickoff in September to the last play in November. O.S.U.’s first home game took place at 2:30 p.m. on November 1,1890. The Ohio State University played the University of Wooster on this site, which was then called Recreation Park. Just east of historic German Village, the park occupied the north side of Schiller (now Whittier) between Ebner and Jaeger in what is now Schumacher Place. The weather was perfect, and the crowd reportedly included a number of women, who cheered loudly. Nonetheless, O.S.U. lost to Wooster, 64-0. Wooster, physically fit for the game, showed O.S.U. that training is critical to winning. The tradition of training continues. Today, on football Saturdays in Ohio Stadium on Woody Hayes Drive, the sound of an O.S.U. game can be heard around the world.”
The side of the marker facing north reads The Ohio State University First Football Team 1890 and includes the names of the coaches, captains and players.
For photos of the event, taken by Nick Artinian of Ohio State Athletics, click here.