Matta Hosts Reunion Dinner – Ohio State Buckeyes
9/12/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Sept. 12, 2006
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Thad Matta, Ohio State head coach, played host to about 200 former men’s basketball players and managers Sept. 1 in Columbus. It was the third time Matta has invited those responsible for the program’s tradition and history to share the past with the current Buckeye coaching staff.
Players representing teams from as far back as the 1940s to members of Ohio State’s 2006 Big Ten Championship team attended the social dinner at the Matta home.
Ohio State greats Arnie Risen, who lettered in 1944-45, Robin Freeman (1954-56), Brad Sellers (1985-86), Treg Lee (1989-91), current L.A. Laker assistant coach Jim Cleamons (1969-71), Michael Redd (1999-2001), J.J. Sullinger (2004-06) and Matt Sylvester (2003-06) were in attendance, just to name a few.
Matta spoke to the group about his vision for the program, about the family atmosphere the former players have built over the years and about the tradition and foundation formed throughout the program’s history by those in attendance.
The event was first organized by Matta upon his arrival in the summer of 2004. This year, the Ohio State staff recognized the 1956 team, who had four of the team’s starters present. That team was the first to play in St. John Arena when the historic venue opened on the OSU campus.
Practice begins for the 2006-07 Buckeyes Oct. 13. The exhibition season begins Nov. 1 with the regular season set to get underway Nov. 10-12 in the BCA Classic in Columbus.
