Earle Bruce (official thread)
The Lantern
10/12
Bruce and Lachey reflect on OSU past
Ryan Merrill
An intimate crowd was scattered throughout the seats of Independence Hall Tuesday night to hear three Ohio State football fans recount their favorite tales of past autumn seasons.
OSU football historian Jack Park, former player Jim Lachey and former coach Earle Bruce gave 50 students insight into their cherished memories, ranging from the 1961 and 2002 championship seasons to current issues involving OSU football. The majority of the discussion was spent discussing the bitter rivalry from the team up north.
"There are many defining moments, but the best moments are when you beat Michigan at the end of the year," Bruce said.
Bruce continued to expound on the importance of the Michigan game, saying losing or winning against Michigan can make or break a head coach.
"If you lose three in a row to Michigan you lose your job," he said. "If you can\'t beat Michigan then what is OSU football?"
Bruce took over the head coaching reigns from Woody Hayes in 1979. He went on to win more than 80 games, two Big Ten titles and two co-championships in nine seasons as head coach.
Lachey, a lineman who played under Bruce in the early 1980s and eventually went on to play in the National Football League, said playing as a Buckeye outweighed any season in the NFL.
"None of those 12 years in the NFL [were] as special as my senior year here at OSU," he said.
Events heated up when talk turned toward the current football season.
Bruce leapt out of his seat at mention of the apology President Karen A. Holbrook offered to the University of Texas on account of OSU fans.
"I\'ve never done anything like that," he said waving his fist. "Don\'t apologize for me. Apologize for yourself but not me or the fans. Public apology and incriminating the fans shouldn\'t be done."
Park agreed with Bruce, saying he didn\'t witness any bad behavior firsthand.
"That apology is what gives OSU a bad name," he said.
Although also in agreement about the apology, Lachey said some actions the fans partake in don\'t help the image.
"I don\'t think we should boo the opposing team," he said. "It makes the whole university look bad."
Matt Worthington, a senior in criminology, said he was surprised at the low turnout.
"I liked the history and the stories," he said. "I wish more people would have came out."
On talk about the current loss to Penn State, Bruce said it is not wise to focus on the losses but on the upcoming games.
"(Michigan State) is going to show the character of our football team," he said. "When you play well you get a pat on the back, but when you play bad you get a kick in the rear. The greatest motivation is either hate or revenge."
An intimate crowd was scattered throughout the seats of Independence Hall Tuesday night to hear three Ohio State football fans recount their favorite tales of past autumn seasons.
OSU football historian Jack Park, former player Jim Lachey and former coach Earle Bruce gave 50 students insight into their cherished memories, ranging from the 1961 and 2002 championship seasons to current issues involving OSU football. The majority of the discussion was spent discussing the bitter rivalry from the team up north.
"There are many defining moments, but the best moments are when you beat Michigan at the end of the year," Bruce said.
Bruce continued to expound on the importance of the Michigan game, saying losing or winning against Michigan can make or break a head coach.
"If you lose three in a row to Michigan you lose your job," he said. "If you can't beat Michigan then what is OSU football?"
Bruce took over the head coaching reigns from Woody Hayes in 1979. He went on to win more than 80 games, two Big Ten titles and two co-championships in nine seasons as head coach.
Lachey, a lineman who played under Bruce in the early 1980s and eventually went on to play in the National Football League, said playing as a Buckeye outweighed any season in the NFL.
"None of those 12 years in the NFL [were] as special as my senior year here at OSU," he said.
Events heated up when talk turned toward the current football season.
Bruce leapt out of his seat at mention of the apology President Karen A. Holbrook offered to the University of Texas on account of OSU fans.
"I've never done anything like that," he said waving his fist. "Don't apologize for me. Apologize for yourself but not me or the fans. Public apology and incriminating the fans shouldn't be done."
Park agreed with Bruce, saying he didn't witness any bad behavior firsthand.
"That apology is what gives OSU a bad name," he said.
Although also in agreement about the apology, Lachey said some actions the fans partake in don't help the image.
"I don't think we should boo the opposing team," he said. "It makes the whole university look bad."
Matt Worthington, a senior in criminology, said he was surprised at the low turnout.
"I liked the history and the stories," he said. "I wish more people would have came out."
On talk about the current loss to Penn State, Bruce said it is not wise to focus on the losses but on the upcoming games.
"(Michigan State) is going to show the character of our football team," he said. "When you play well you get a pat on the back, but when you play bad you get a kick in the rear. The greatest motivation is either hate or revenge."
AP file photo Amy Sancetta HIS FINAL RIDE Ohio State University Coach Earle Bruce is carried off the field by his players following Ohio State?s 14-9 victory over Michigan in November 1981. It marked Bruce?s second win over Michigan. The veteran coach has two of his former assistants, Jim Tressel and Urban Meyer, leading their respective teams into the Jan. 8 BCS National Championship Game.
