COLUMBUS, Ohio — Therese Hession, who has served the Ohio State Department of Athletics for the last 30 years as the head women’s golf coach and most recently as the director of men’s and women’s golf, will retire from the university effective Jan. 7, 2022.
Hession, who was inducted into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2015, has been the director of men’s and women’s golf since 2018.
Therese Hession Statement:
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the late Jim Jones and Phyllis Bailey for giving me the opportunity to coach at The Ohio State University. Without a day of coaching experience they really took a chance on me! I am so grateful to the many student athletes of both the men and women’s golf teams for their tireless work and dedication to our programs both academically as well as athletically. It was a privilege to be a small part of your life both on and off the golf course. I am most grateful to the many sport AD’s who believed in me and supported my great desire to build things bigger and better within the Big Ten Conference as well as nationally. To Miechelle Willis, Richelle Simonson, Heather Lyke, Martin Jarmond, and Dan Cloran – thank you so much.
I have enjoyed sharing many experiences with our student athletes and creating events they will remember for a lifetime. I am most grateful to my former Buckeye Assistant Coaches, Christina Geiger, Amy Miller, Marisa Mears, and current Head Coach, Lisa Strom, who assisted me in running over 60 regular season events, Big Ten championships, multiple NCAA regionals, and two NCAA Championships. Their tireless efforts lead to some exceptional experiences for our athletes and gave many female athletes the opportunity to showcase their skills.
I am most appreciative to our fantastic support staffs including Kim Dally Badgeley, John Macko, the OSU Golf Course staff, including Marc Lucas, Dennis Bowsher, Gary Rasor and Brian Kelly who were so supportive of our athletes every step of my career. Most recently I want to thank Dan Cloran and Gene Smith who gave me my latest opportunity as Director of Golf over both the Men’s as well as Women’s programs. The last 3 1/2 years have been remarkable, and a great honor to serve both teams. I appreciate them trusting me with this opportunity and I enjoyed the opportunity to learn and grow.
To our very special alumni group, I also want to say “thank you” for your support and willingness to give back. Walt and Jane Dennis, your generosity to lead the building of an elite training center is unforgettable. The late Helen Freyhof was so supportive of women’s sports and was exceptionally generous to our golf teams as well as the ladies of the Double Eagle Club. Buckeye Nation has been a constant support unlike no other.
Finally I want to thank my teaching mentors Mike Adams, Bruce Rearick, Mark Sweeney, and Scott Fawcett. You have made me a better teacher and coach and I am forever grateful for your knowledge and friendship.
Gene Smith, Ohio State senior vice president & Wolfe Foundation endowed athletics director, said the ability to teach set Hession apart.
“Therese Hession exemplifies what it means to be a coach,” Smith said.” She is one of the best teachers I have ever had the pleasure of working with. The accomplishments of her players is a reflection of who Therese is as a teacher and mentor. She has been tireless in the pursuit of greatness over her career as a professional athlete and coach. I am thankful for all she has accomplished as a Buckeye. I wish her the best!!!”
The Buckeyes have enjoyed extraordinary success during Hession’s tenure. Here are just a few of her Ohio State accomplishments.
| Hession By the Numbers |
|---|
| 2 Time NCAA Coach of the Year |
| 6 Big Ten Players of the Year |
| 7-Time Big Ten Coach of the Year |
| 8 Big Ten Freshman of the Year |
| 11 Big Ten Championships |
| 13 All-Americans |
| 15 Big Ten Tournament Medalists |
| 17 NCAA Championship Appearances |
| 18 Big Ten Tournament Titles |
| 26 NCAA Regional Appearances |
| 47 Tournament Championships |
| 48 All-American Scholars |
| 68 All-Big Ten Honorees |
| 134 Academic All-Big Ten Honorees |
| 190 OSU Scholar Athletes |
Dan Cloran, who oversees the men’s and women’s golf programs and is the executive associate athletics director for development, said Hession influenced everyone she encountered.
“I first want to congratulate and commend Therese for what she has done for the hundreds of student-athletes who have excelled in life and as athletes because of the influence Therese has provided over the years,” Cloran said. “Her list of accomplishments are exemplary to say the least. I have learned so much from her over the last four years and have appreciated her leadership and friendship.”
Lisa Strom, now in her first year as the head coach of the Ohio State women’s golf team, is grateful for all Hession has meant to her career.
“Words cannot express how much Coach means to Ohio State Golf,” Strom said. “From my first interaction with her as a recruit to being chosen to lead the Ohio State women’s golf team, I have deeply admired Coach’s desire to show up every single day and help others be their best and to never stop learning.
“Our relationship has evolved from coach to mentor to friend over the past 25 years, and I can say without a shadow of a doubt, I would not be where I am today without her,” Strom said. “I am humbled and honored to have been chosen to lead our program as we begin this new chapter. A foundation of success on and off the golf course has been laid, and we will always take great pride in knowing the impact Coach Hession has had on each one of us.”
Jay Moseley, head coach of the Ohio State men’s golf team, said he has been inspired by Hession’s passion for Ohio State and its golf programs.
“The list of Coach Hession’s accolades speaks for itself regarding her professional career but what will be missed the most from her absence in coaching is her determination and character as a leader,” Moseley said. “I have been blessed to be surrounded by great people throughout my life and Coach Hession is one of the finest human beings I have ever met- period. Anyone who truly got to know her understood her commitment and passion for Buckeye Golf and Ohio State was unparalleled. She would do ANYTHING to help student-athletes as well as those of us fortunate to coach alongside her. Words simply seem inadequate to describe everything she has meant to me and to Ohio State Golf.”
Hession was promoted to director of golf for both the men’s and women’s program in 2018. The Indianapolis native built the strong OSU golf tradition to even greater heights. In her 30 seasons, Hession has guided the women’s program to 11 Big Ten championships, including back-to-back-to-back from 2014-16, 17 NCAA Championships appearances and 25 NCAA Regionals. The seven-time Big Ten Coach of the Year has led the Buckeyes to an appearance in the NCAA Championships in six of the last eight years, including a trip to the NCAA quarterfinals in 2017.
