Dale England Jr. – Ohio State Buckeyes
9/2/2006 12:00:00 AM | General
Sept. 2, 2006
by Ashley Heilman Ohio State Athletics Communications
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A snapshot that captures a gentle face – frozen by a moment in time – watches over the dedicated work of Dale England Jr. each day at his law practice. While the person photographed is no stranger to England within his serene office in Old Pickerington on Columbus’ East Side, the image can hardly be called a replacement for the man who once stood by in person. The smiling portrait of Dale England Sr. serves as a perpetual reminder to his son that even though his father is no longer here on earth, his memory will always be present.
Inspired by the life his father led, England has vowed to continue the same principles of generosity and kindness to others, and passion for a particular school that brandishes scarlet and gray, just as his father did while he was alive.
After his father’s passing in September 2004, England had a wish to keep his memory thriving through more than just a photograph. It appears that his father not only entrusted him with his name in its entirety but his love for the Buckeyes as well. Going back to the strong ties and friendships he and his father made together through years of association with Ohio State athletics, England made the decision to endow a scholarship in memory of his dad to give back to the community that loved him so dearly.
“Dad and I actually talked about starting a scholarship before his passing, but his health was failing and we just couldn’t get it done physically,” England said. “Now, almost two years after he’s been gone, I felt the need to get that accomplished. Everything just fell into place, as good things will do that.”
When faced with the task of choosing a sport to endow, the decision was an easy one for England. In April 2006, trustees approved of the Dale R. England Endowed Scholarship for men’s varsity swimming. England has personally known Bill Wadley, head coach of the men’s swimming team at Ohio State, for more than 17 years.
“As I was looking over the list of existing contributors, I noticed swimming didn’t have many endowed scholarships,” England said. “I just felt that would be a good place to give, and I knew that my dad and Bill would appreciate that. It was a great place to honor my dad and also to tell Bill how much I appreciate his friendship. Bill does such a good job with the program, and he’s such a good guy. You just want to help out someone like that.”
What started off as a common bond between swimming turned into a life-long friendship for the two men.
“I first met Dale when he signed his daughters up for our swim camp in the early `90s,” Wadley said. “We have continued to stay in touch and have become very good friends over the years. Dale and his family are truly wonderful, generous people and he has always been supportive of our program as well as the entire university.”
In its first year of existence, England’s scholarship, awarded by the coaches to a senior swimmer who displays the most inspirational performance in the previous season, was given to Brian Tiemeier of Cincinnati, Ohio. England met the recipient of his scholarship at the annual swimming awards banquet, as a guest of Wadley. Having the chance to personally hand Tiemeier his award was validation in itself that becoming an endowed scholarship contributor was the right decision.
“Standing at the podium in the faculty club where great figures have stood – President (Novice) Faucet, Coach (Woody) Hayes, President (Karen) Holbrook – I thought to myself, `famous people have been in this exact spot,'” England recalled. “I was just in awe and honored to have an opportunity to go up there and give my award to a very deserving individual. If I did anything good, that was it.”
Despite his humble recollection, England has worked hard to earn his spot at the podium with Buckeye greats. After receiving his undergraduate degree from Ohio Northern in 1969 and then graduating from law school at Capital University in 1972, he established his law practice in his hometown of Pickerington, Ohio, where he still serves and makes his home today. His wife Sharon is a 1971 graduate of Ohio State and currently teaches learning disabled children in fourth grade in Pickerington Local Schools. They were married 36 years ago, in the same year England became an attorney.
Buckeye pride was contagious to their children, as well. The couple’s two daughters attended Ohio State, – Sarah received her undergraduate degree in 1999 in speech therapy and Becky earned her master’s degree from Ohio State this past spring in occupational therapy.
While he is always the No. 1 fan of his immediate family, England cheers and supports those within his extended family at Ohio State, as well. As a member of the Buckeye Club for more than 20 years, England realized becoming an endowed scholarship donor would help take his support to the next level. It also would be a contribution that would have made his father proud.
Denny Hoobler, associate athletics director at Ohio State, was a friend of the late Dale England and remains friends with the England family.
“When I found out about Dale Jr. starting this endowed scholarship in honor of his father, I thought it was the most unbelievable, loving gesture he could do,” Hoobler said. “The family will forever be longtime friends of Ohio State and I know Dale Jr. will continue the legacy his father started here many years ago.
“They are just a wonderful family and I think junior is today what senior was – the most die-hard Buckeye fan and biggest supporter to the Ohio State family. I always enjoy our time together.”
England should be commended for his approach to giving. He does not contribute to gain recognition or publicity. His focus on making a special connection with individuals makes him an exemplary leader to all that have the fortune of crossing his path.
“It’s just good to help people who are in need,” England said. “Those who have are supposed to help. Even if it’s just giving someone who is not feeling good a smile, that sometimes is enough.”
