Varsity O Athletics Hall of Fame, Class of 2007 – Press Conference Quotes and Interviews – Ohio State Buckeyes
7/10/2007 12:00:00 AM | General
Varsity “O” Athletics Hall of Fame, Class of 2007
Press Conference Quotes
Mary Tebeau, Women’s Varsity “O” President
On the uniqueness of the 2007 women’s class
“This is a special year in many respects. This was our first year inducting a rower, and it also was great because we finally got to recognize some of the more special athletes that may have been overlooked in the past.”
On Conny Kirsch being the first female rowing athlete inducted
“Rowing is a fairly new sport at Ohio State, and when we went to select the first female rower, we had to be sure to select the cream of the crop. Conny is hands down the greatest female rower we’ve ever had and she’s helped lay the groundwork for continuing success for the program.”
On Susan Mallery, track and field/cross country
“Susan came to Ohio State right before Title IX came into effect. In high school she ran on a men’s team and was quite competitive. When she came here, I think she was really surprised to be able to run with women. She would have probably gone to the Olympics but that was before they offered those events.”
Mark Froebel, Men’s Varsity “O” President
On the incoming class
“This is one of our smaller classes, but it is loaded with quality. We got in some of our old-timers who have deserved to be in far before this. I’m glad that these guys are getting recognition for what they have contributed to The Ohio State University.”
On Pete Johnson, football
“It’s a tremendous honor for him. Pete’s been due for a while now, and to finally see him get in has been tremendous.”
Marv Homan, administrator (1948-87)
On being the fourth non-athlete inducted into the Hall of Fame
“This is a tremendous honor for me to be included among all the great athletes that have come through Ohio State. I’m even more humbled that I can be mentioned in the same vein as men like Lynn W. St. John, Bob Murphy and Ed Weaver. It’s just a tremendous honor.”
On the difference between when he began and now
“When I began there were only nine varsity sports. There were no women’s athletics and the program was much more limited. Now there are 36 varsity sports and there are no limits for how high this program goes.”
Ivan Gilbert, fencing (1940-42)
On the 1942 national championship team
“I’m happy for this individual honor, but what I would really like to see is the whole team get in because all six members were outstanding young men. Three of us went to medical school, one went to law school, one earned a Ph.D. in chemistry and one earned a Ph.D. in speech. And we had a great coach. He wouldn’t let you fence unless you were in the Top 20-percent academically and in the Top 10-percent in reflex skills. I think it’s a cop-out when I hear anyone say they can’t be a good athlete and a good student. And remember that there was no money for our team back then. We had no scholarships and paid our own way to drive to the national championships in St. Louis. We stayed in the dorms and ate in the dorm dining hall. After we got back, I don’t think anyone knew we had won a national title. It was never in the papers. Paul Brown was the football coach back then and that was the focus. He was a tremendously dynamic guy.”
On the success of the OSU fencing program today
“Two things happened. One, Ohio State made a commitment to fencing. They got a great coach, one of the best in the world, and two, they put money into scholarships. The program today is entirely different from what we had. I’m proud of their success.”
Susan Mallery, cross country/track and field (1973-76)
On being a student-athlete at Ohio State
“Being an Ohio State athlete was a great opportunity. My fours years at OSU was one of the best times in my life. The professors were very supportive of what we were doing in athletics. I cannot express how happy I am for how far women’s athletics have come. A lot of what you learn as an athlete translates to your career. Discipline, teamwork and the ability to coexist with others all comes from being a part of a team. That was the most rewarding part about being an Ohio State athlete.”
Pete Johnson, football (1973-76)
On being inducted
“This is a great honor. Funny things is, I think Archie (Griffin) is more excited than I am. It has to be a tough selection. There are so many great players here. The teams I played on had so many outstanding players. Who do you pick?”
On the impact playing football at Ohio State had on him
“Football made me a better man. A better person. It is a tribute to Coach (Woody) Hayes. It is just like his book You Win With People,’ you really do. He made sure we lived that way and made sure we stayed on the right path.”
