Site of First Ohio State Home Football Game / The Ohio State Uni
Site of First Ohio State Home Football Game
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. home game can be heard around the world.
The Ohio State University First Football Team 1890
Alexander S. Lilley, Coach
Fred B. "Jack" Ryder, Coach
Jesse L. Jones, Captain •
Paul M. Lincoln, Captain •
Hamilton H. Richardson •
Herbert L. Johnson •
David S. Hegler •
Hiram E. Rutan •
W. S. Scott •
G. C. Schaffer •
W. A. Landacre •
Joseph H. Large •
Frank W. Rane •
Richard T.B. Ellis •
Charles B. Morrey •
A. P. Bronson •
H. Beatty •
H. J. Whitacre •
R. O. Keiser •
John B. Huggins •
Charles W. Foulk •
Walter H. Miller •
Arthur M. Kennedy •
Edward D. Martin
Marker is on East Whittier Street, on the right when traveling west.
Courtesy hmdb.org
